James Ross - A Character-Based Collection (Prairie Winds Golf Course)

by James Ross

Lew and Julie walked out of the office. Lew was a very adept chameleon. He couldn’t stand kids. It must have been because they would generally take the focus off of him when they were in the room. Lew did not take kindly to anyone that didn’t recognize his considerable status in life.

  “What have we here?” Lew asked with feigned excitement.

  Since Lew had asked, J Dub took the opportunity to introduce his daughter to his boss. “Gail, meet big Lew.” He took an instant to sneak in a subtle compliment to Lew.

  “Born with a silver spoon in her mouth,” Lew responded. With that he took the occasion to tickle Gail’s belly with the hopes of making a new friend.

  Gail took the moment to let Lew know exactly how she felt. After an infectious giggle, she let out a big burp and spit up some formula. Lew didn’t know quite how to act after Gail’s reaction. He yanked his hand back and rushed for a towel as he muttered his disgust.

  All the boys in the back got a big charge out of Lew jumping back from Gail. They couldn’t resist the opportunity to laugh at him. Lew glared in their direction.

  To divert attention away from Lew as he wiped the soured mess off of his hand, Marcia chimed in, “Who wants a sandwich?”

  J Dub couldn’t resist the temptation. “I can’t pass up home cooking.”

  He reached for the stack of dollar sandwiches that Marcia brought with her into the pro shop. Lew grabbed a sandwich from the basket. “You didn’t have to do that,” Lew stated as he took a bite.

  “It’s nothing. They’re left over from a catering job that I did,” Marcia replied.

  To the surprise of everyone in the pro shop, Lew stopped in his tracks. He glared at Marcia and asked, “Is that what I am to you, an afterthought?”

  He threw the sandwich into the trash can and stormed out of the pro shop.

  “What was that all about?” asked Fred from the back of the room.

  “Can you believe that?” responded J Dub.

  “Is he Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde?” asked Easy Earl.

  Marcia was both embarrassed and furious. “He can’t be serious.”

  “It’s like that every day around here,” Julie noted. “You never know what mood you’re going to catch him in.”

  “All I can tell you is it is better that you guys deal with him than me. How can you deal with that kind of behavior?” Marcia shot J Dub an exasperated look.

  Julie replied, “It’s as tough as the bark on an old oak tree.”

  “We’ve just learned to accept it and move on,” continued J Dub. “It’s easier for us to ignore it than bring it to his attention and start a confrontation.”

  “Is that what you have to put up with on a daily basis? It’s bad enough when he acted so repulsed by Gail’s spit-up. What kind of a man is he? Jeez Louise, she’s just a baby,” Marcia retorted.

  “It comes with the territory. He’s the boss. It’s his place and he can act any way he wants to, I suppose,” J Dub replied.

  “Well, you can stand here and put up with it, but our little girl doesn’t have to. C’mon, Gail. Let’s put you down for a nap,” Marcia cooed as she headed for the door.

  One by one the sandwiches disappeared. The boys didn’t let them go to waste. The mood in the pro shop returned to normal.

  “I guess his ego couldn’t stand that a baby was getting more attention than him,” Rollie laughed in between bites.

  “Yeah, and she sure wasn’t as impressed with him as he had hoped,” BT chuckled.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Later that summer . . .

  The two men shared a hearty laugh as the Mercury Marquis made a left turn onto the blacktop driveway. Maurice (Monty) DiMonte had always wanted to drive a nice car. However, he chose to scale it back a bit from the expensive, luxurious sedans so that he wouldn’t bring too much attention to himself.

  Monty was a lawyer that a person wanted to have on retainer. To operate successfully in a capitalistic world, some people think that it is necessary to have a lawyer on their side who is not only willing to bend the rules a little but who offers suggestions on how to without arousing suspicion. In his eyes, that was the difference between a two-bit lawyer and one on retainer.

  Monty would do it in a heartbeat. To some it is called crossing over the line, to others it might be unethical behavior. Monty didn’t care what it was called; he would do what was required to win.

  He wasn’t necessarily that bright or astute. Monty had gone to a private Catholic law school that was more or less reserved for people that had the connections to get accepted. Once in, it was a given that three years later a law degree would be handed over.

  It didn’t really matter that it would take multiple attempts to pass the bar exam. Once a lawyer is licensed the public gets a glimpse of what their true personality is all about. Some go to work to uphold the law. Others pursue civil lawsuits. A few concentrate on divorces. Several go into corporate America. A number go into private practice and become commissioned salespeople looking for the next meal.

  It’s the last kind that Monty migrated toward. Many can misuse their credentials and bend the rules to work toward their advantage. Monty was all about making connections and getting things to work for him rather than against him. He prided himself on knowing people in high places and getting things done with a phone call. He liked to think of it as “working smarter, not harder.”

  The passenger in Monty’s car that was the source of all of the laughter was Raymond Parsons. He was a polished jokester and more often than not had a quick quip for any happenstance that occurred in everyday life. The two couldn’t look more opposite. Raymond was a little older than Monty. He was clean cut and had weight that was proportionate with his five foot nine frame. The freckles on his face made a good match for his thinning, red hair which accentuated his hazel eyes. Despite his age, he gave the appearance of a more youthful man. Raymond was soft-spoken, but was very ambitious when it came to receiving favors. In fact, when it came down to it, Raymond was nothing but a whore that would take anything beneficial that came his way.

  The two had known each other since grade school. Raymond had been best friends with Monty’s older brother. The older boys were inseparable during their younger years and would always let Monty tag along. So, in a way, Raymond developed into a little bit of a father figure for Monty. While their years didn’t separate them by much, Raymond always had the quiet nature of being the eldest which was more noticeable when they were younger.

  Raymond had preceded Monty through school. However, when he got out of college, he took a job working for the union that handled the workers at the nearby steel mills. That led to a short stint as a lobbyist for the coal miners’ union. After several years of hard work, he became a trusted asset for the unions. With their backing he ran for a seat as a local congressman and won. His constituents loved the wide-eyed innocent look that seemed to be indelibly etched on his face.

  So, the two of them renewed their friendship in their adult years. A congressman with union affiliations and a lawyer with questionable ethics spelled possible disaster. The two became best friends and Monty oiled the political machine of Raymond. Their association was the very definition of synergy. It was a lethal combination and most importantly, lucrative.

  The Marquis rolled to a stop at the electronic gate that seemed to weigh several tons and was equipped to stop a loaded eighteen-wheeler. It had been programmed to be activated by a remote control device that Lew utilized. An intercom system had been placed at the gate for the guests to use.

  Monty had been over to Lew’s residence on many, many occasions. He was such a trusted friend to Lew that he should have had his own remote device by now to let himself enter. However, Lew couldn’t bring himself to lose control of the entrance and always made Monty go through the same exercise as the rest of the people.

  “Lew. It’s Monty. Let me in.”

  “I can see you through the surveillance camera.”

  The massive gate pulled back from its lock
ed position and slid open to allow the Marquis to enter. A white rail fence surrounded the entrance to the property. An electronic, barbed-wire fence was intertwined with it and further insulated the perimeter of Lew’s property. Majestic oak trees had been planted years before and their foliage made for an impressive entrance to the property. The driveway was about two hundred yards long. It took a circuitous path to the home and emptied into a large parking area to the side of the garage. It seemed to always carry a fresh coat of sealer.

  Over the years Monty had traversed this route mostly to save Lew from lurking trouble. Not everything that Lew had done up to this point in his life could be construed as “lily-white.” His love for money was unparalleled and Monty was well aware of that. Lew was an extremely greedy man and would do anything to accomplish his objectives. That included bending the rules and associating with people that could help him get what he wanted. It was not above him to cheat to get ahead or, for that matter, break the law to prosper.

  To an outsider, Lew’s behavior was similar to that of an eight-year old little boy that never matured through adolescence and into adulthood. All of the attention had to be centered on Lew and he had to have his way. If someone crossed his path, then a vengeful Lew would take the necessary steps to remind the perpetrator who had the upper hand.

  These traits had allowed Lew to do well for himself financially and his residence was the envy of many. His home was equipped with all of the modern conveniences and up-to-date security devices. His compound included about thirty acres and was improved with a new barn, several storage bins, and a grain elevator. Monty had successfully helped Lew navigate two divorces through which Lew managed to come out of with what could be considered lucrative victories.

  Monty, who was the main reason for the profitable settlements, inched the Marquis down the driveway toward Lew’s home. Each visitor seemed to feel the same eerie mood as they neared Lew’s front door. Even good friends could feel a cloud of creepiness. It always seemed like Lew had an ulterior motive for every meeting. This day was no different. Something sinister was in the air as the Marquis neared its parking spot.

  Lew, through a variety of dubious maneuvers, had become the largest single property owner in Raymond’s district. A greedy land mogul coupled with political influence and skillful legal moves added flammable fuel to an already deadly mixture. As the two men got out of the car Lew approached to shake their hands. “Ray. Monty. Welcome to the Big Z.” Lew had affectionately placed the nickname on his own property.

  “Thanks for having us over,” replied Raymond as he pumped Lew’s hand.

  “Where do the years go? It seems like we were doing this yesterday,” added Monty. He packed a slug of Redman chewing tobacco into his jaw.

  The three men strolled to the barn. Lew had a variety of rifles stored inside. Monty and Ray each picked out a shotgun. Lew was always the one that looked for an advantage. He took the opportunity to grab an automatic assault rifle. Even in a practice situation he had to control the outcome. In a twisted and demented sense Lew needed to prove to Monty and Raymond that he could knock out more targets.

  “What the hell?” demanded Monty. “We’re only out here to take a little target practice.”

  “You’re always looking for that extra kicker,” added Raymond, as he carefully eyed Lew.

  Lew got a lot of satisfaction knowing that he could bend the rules of fair play and get away with it. “We’ll see who’s got the best shot now,” he said with a grin. His desire to be the best and to win any competition bordered on being nauseous.

  Behind the barn was a skeet machine. They proceeded to shoot at clay pigeons launched against a beautiful blue sky. The clay pigeons didn’t stand a chance against the assault rifle, but fared a little better against the shotguns that Monty and Ray fired. When they were finished they left the barn and walked back to the car. “My thinking is that with some help from the Federal Land Bank we can do that project on that piece of ground. What do you think, Monty?” Lew asked suggestively.

  “That is gonna be a tough one to pull off,” Monty responded.

  “The key is getting someone else to pay for it . . . some sort of federal grant or something like that,” Lew insisted. “The deal becomes a slam-dunk winner if we can get someone else to fund the money.”

  “I like your thinking, Lew. The money is out there. We’ll figure out a way to get our hands on it,” Ray added.

  “Don’t worry about the ground. I have that angle figured,” Lew volunteered. “A lot of land has been deeded to me lately. Now I have to figure out how to make it profitable.”

  “Give me a couple of days to figure this out,” Monty said.

  “You’re in good hands, Lew,” Ray chimed as he extended his hand to Lew. “Thanks for having us out today.”

  “I’ve got plenty of ground. Don’t worry about that,” Lew said as he reinforced the point about the land. They shook hands. Monty and Raymond got in the Marquis and drove off. Lew watched with excitement knowing full well that he had tactfully planted the seed for future income.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Near the end of the summer . . .

  Even though the sky had started to lighten, the sun hadn’t made it to the horizon as J Dub pulled his pickup truck into the parking lot. J Dub’s working world was the golf course. His routine was clearly established. It was hard to tell Monday from Thursday or Saturday from Wednesday. The days became weeks and the weeks became months. But at dawn there were a lot of worse places to be.

  Fred’s banged-up, used Cadillac was already in the lot when J Dub pulled up alongside it. Snores could not only be heard reverberating across the parking lot, it seemed like the entire car was shaking. If J Dub didn’t know better he would have thought that Fred was trying to suck all of the air off of the golf course.

  Rather than awaken him, J Dub gently closed the door to his pickup and tiptoed to the cart barn. The minute the door slid open Bogey jumped into J Dub’s face and showered him with slobbery kisses. It appeared that his wagging tail was actually moving his head from side to side. As J Dub pulled the carts out of the barn, Bogey jumped into the seat beside him. Bogey would follow so closely at J Dub’s heels that he would occasionally get kicked in the snout. The bond that they established was enduring. When Bogey tilted his head it was as if he understood every word that J Dub spoke.

  J Dub unlocked the pro shop and was firing up the coffee pot when a bleary-eyed Fred sauntered in. “You’re up early this morning,” J Dub said tongue-in-cheek.

  “Us old-timers can’t sleep,” Fred said in between yawns.

  “You could have fooled me by the way you were gasping for air a minute ago,” J Dub laughed.

  “We want to get our round done by ten-thirty today. That way we can beat the heat,” Fred announced. “Besides, there’s a big card game back in the clubhouse at lunchtime.”

  “What are you playing for . . . quarters today rather than dimes?” J Dub asked with a snicker.

  “Ha, ha, ha,” Fred said facetiously. “It’s too early for your humor. What are you going to do today?”

  “Probably the same old stuff. Julie will get in shortly and Lew will call to check on us.”

  One by one the gang made their way through the pro shop door. In short order they picked their playing partners and headed for the first tee.

  Right on cue a few hours later Lew showed up ready to complete a couple of tasks. J Dub and Lew both knew that it would take several years to get the property exactly how they wanted it. J Dub’s emphasis was on improving the golf course. After that the clubhouse, parking lot, cart paths, and irrigation system needed an influx of money. Lew, on the other hand, was solely interested in getting as much money into the bank as possible. “Is the sign finished yet?” he grumbled. His impatience came off as a sign of discontent.

  “I’m glad that you asked,” J Dub answered. “Follow me.” He led Lew around to the back of the clubhouse. J Dub enjoyed working with wood. He had completed the
finishing touches on the new sign for the golf course. PRAIRIE WINDS GOLF COURSE had been carved into a piece of wood and the sign was ready to be erected at the parking lot entrance. The lettering gleamed with bright red paint. A fairway had been painted green. A lake on the sign was royal blue.

  “It looks nice. You did good,” Lew said carefully so that his compliments wouldn’t go to J Dub’s head. “Let’s get it up.”

  Naturally, J Dub worked the post-hole digger to get the holes dug. After the posts were secured, the sign was fastened. There remained one more essential task.

  Their final action to christen the golf course was to erect the flagpole. After digging the hole, mixing the concrete, and hoisting the flagpole into position, the golf course was finally ready to show off its improvements to the public.

  “Now we’ve got a decent product to sell. This place is screaming for business now!” exclaimed Lew with a definite amount of pleasure.

  “We still have a ways to go, but everything seems to be a lot better than what it was,” J Dub chimed. “Even though we’ve been open for a few months, I guess now we can have our official grand opening.”

  “Not yet,” Lew hollered over his shoulder as he walked to his pickup. He grabbed an American flag out of the cab of his truck, hooked it to the rope, and hoisted it up into the gentle breeze. “There’s nothing like the good ’ole USA,” Lew said with a grin.

  “Where else could a guy go from rags to riches?” J Dub asked.

  They shook hands knowing that this business opportunity could be fruitful for both. “J Dub, you’re like the son I never had. You’re the best partner a guy could hope for.”

  “My worst shot looks like my best one now.”

  Lew beamed. He went back to his pickup and retrieved a package that was wrapped in newspapers. “Here’s something else.”

  Lew peeled the newspaper off of his newest surprise. He unfurled another flag. This one read: PRAIRIE WINDS GOLF COURSE.

  “We’ll fly this one under Old Glory,” Lew stated.