Christine phoned Matt and told him what Jack said. “I’ll get the samples today. I’m working at Mrs. Martin’s right now. Mr. Martin called Harrison’s and ordered a bunch of shrubs and flowers for his house. You know, I was wondering about the soil myself. When you talk to Jack, tell him thanks.”
“You remember to wear your gloves, Jack has me scared now.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be careful. See you tonight.” Matt hung up and finished planting the shrubs at the Martins. Mrs. Martin came out to inspect the job.
“It looks very nice, Matt. Did you know that my husband is getting a medal at the Bridgetown Businessman’s luncheon on Thursday?” She was dressed in a designer suit and Matt had the impression that she was looking down her nose at him. Of course, he was kneeling and she was standing, but it was more than that.
“No, Mrs. Martin, I didn’t know that. What is the medal for?” He wished she would just go back in the house.
“Why, all of his environmental changes and the big influence it has made on the town, of course. You must have heard about all the changes that are going on in Bridgetown, all thanks to my Charles.” She was indignant that Matt didn’t know.
“Really? Well, in that case, my congratulations to him. I am almost finished here, Mrs. Martin.” Matt was thinking that it was unbelievable that Mr. Martin was being given a medal. If anyone was responsible, it was Christine. When she started doing interviews, and writing articles, the entire town got behind the idea. Matt was not impressed with Charles Martin.
He went to the chemical plant and took four jars of soil; two from the place where the trees had died, and two from other locations on the property. He delivered them to the university and asked to have a rush put on the testing.
After that he went to Dr. Hardy’s office and asked to see the doctor. “Isn’t that rash cleared up yet?” the receptionist asked him.
“Not yet. I need to see Dr. Hardy, if that is possible.”
“You can see him after this patient. Take a seat.” When he finally was called in to see the doctor, Matt made what he hoped, appeared to be casual conversation.
“I think there is something in the soil because my whole crew is affected. Can you prescribe something for it?”
“The soil! We would have to have soil test results to know what we are treating first.”
“I’m having that done, Doc. Shame about Mrs. Oliver. She was a nice old lady. Christine was telling me there are two more people with cancer in the hospital.”
“Yes, we haven’t had any cases in years and now three at once; it’s a terrible disease, cancer.” Matt was stumped on how to ask any more questions without raising suspicion, so he let it go. Then he thought of something.
“If there is something in the soil that is causing this rash, it could be the same thing that is causing the cancer, couldn’t it?” The doctor assumed Matt was being paranoid.
“It depends what it is, but I am sure you have nothing to worry about, Matt.”
“But what if it is something carcinogenic?”
“If it is, we will have to inform the authorities. Where is this soil that you are questioning located, Matt?” Matt decided he had said too much already.
“Let’s wait for the results, shall we Doc? No sense being paranoid.” He laughed trying to make light of the situation. The doctor nodded and said goodbye. Matt left.
He went straight to the library at the university. On the third floor, he found several books on soil contamination and health dangers from toxic by-products. He stayed, reading books and making notes for two hours.
Christine and Sarah met for lunch at the Chinese restaurant. “Jack called me. It was very sweet of him.” Sarah looked pleased to have heard from Jack.
“I know. I talked to him too. We are all sorry about Edna and Dan’s baby, Sarah. It’s very sad, but they can try again.” Sarah agreed with her sadly.
“It was funny hearing Jack’s voice; a nice kind of funny, until he started on one of his rant’s, about the water treatment plant of all things.” Sarah looked disgusted.
“He didn’t!” Christine knew all about Jack’s call, but didn’t let on. She wanted Sarah to talk. Her friend was hurting.
“He did. He couldn’t even call about the baby without having an agenda” Sarah stabbed at her vegetables with her fork. “Jack will never change and some days I am glad of that and others I just shake my head wondering what I ever saw in him. He will be home next week.”
Christine could see that she needed to change the subject. “How are things at the chemical plant? Is the campaign going well?”
“It certainly is. Mr. Martin is being given a medal on Thursday by the Bridgetown Businessmen’s Association at their annual luncheon. I am going and so is the local television crew. It will be great publicity.” Matt had phoned Christine about the medal and she was angry that Mr. Martin was being given all the credit. It was the individual small business people that deserved the credit, not one big shot executive that she still wasn’t convinced was sincere. She didn’t respond. Sarah noticed her disinterest. “Christine? Are you listening to me?”
“Yes, I was just thinking about something. I have to go to the MacIntyre farm later. Let’s eat, shall we?”
Sarah was a little annoyed that Christine didn’t show more interest in Mr. Martin’s award. This campaign was one of her finest projects and she would have liked her friend to show a little enthusiasm. She picked at her chow mein.
“I get the impression; you think Mr. Martin doesn’t deserve that medal, Christine.” Sarah couldn’t keep quiet any longer.
“I don’t think he deserves it, to be honest. It has nothing to do with you or your campaign. I have been interviewing all the small business owners and they are taking the initiative to make a difference, without any input from Martin and Schultz Chemical. It has nothing to do with Mr. Martin, and I don’t understand why he is getting an award.”
“The town has to recognize achievements and Mr. Martin has made a very big effort over the past few months. They can’t give an award to every business in town.”
“They should. Now let’s change the subject. How is your chow mein?”
“It’s good, are you going to the fall fair on the weekend?”
“Matt and I are going. I want to get some gifts for Christmas from the craft sale and there are always good bands playing in the evenings. Are you going?”
“I was going to ask if I could go with you, but maybe you and Matt don’t want a gooseberry.” Sarah felt alone and unwanted, she was just feeling sorry for herself.
“Of course you can come with us, silly. What is this mood you are in?”
“I don’t know. I guess I’m upset about Edna and I miss Jack. There I said it out loud.” Christine just looked at her in surprise. “I miss Jack, damn it.”
“Well, well, you finally admitted it. Good for you. He’ll be back next week, why don’t you get together and try to work things out?”
“I don’t know what I want to do yet. Do I want Jack or just someone in my life? You know that after my parents died, I turned to Jack for support. He was there for me when I needed someone. He took their place in a way, but I need more time to think. Oh, look at the time! I have a meeting at the university in twenty minutes. They have another small campaign that they want me to work on.” Sarah picked up her purse and left a few bills on the table. “Can you get this? I’ll call you later. Bye Christine.”
Christine gathered the bills that Sarah left, added money of her own and paid the bill. So there is still a spark for Jack, very interesting.
Christine left the restaurant and drove out to the country. She saw more driveways with tractors blocking the entrance. At Mr. MacIntyre’s farm, a pickup truck was parked across the driveway. She pulled up and got out of her car. Mr. MacIntyre was sitting in the truck. “Hi, Mr. MacIntyre, are you still blocking the entrance?”
“We have to do something, we are being harassed. I filed a formal complaint with the ch
ief of police, but nothing has been done. I’m telling you, Christine, they are going to blame the farmers for this pollution problem and it is going to cost us a fortune to defend ourselves. Some of us can’t afford long drawn out legal battles. It will put us out of business.”
“Tell the farmers to make sure all of their records are in order, Mr. MacIntyre. The more proof you have to support your innocence the better it will be. I have a friend, his name is Jack Giovanni and he will be back next week. He is going to get to the bottom of this mess.”
“Giovanni! Isn’t he the protester that got arrested trying to stop the logging outside of town last year?”
“The same.” She smiled.
“I think I heard about him. He is a real activist when it comes to pollution and the environment. Well, I hope he can solve this one and soon.” Mr. MacIntyre chatted with Christine for a few more minutes before a black pickup arrived at his driveway. Two men got out. “Here comes trouble,” he said to Christine. She took her camera from her bag.
“MacIntyre, you have to let us in. We have official government business to conduct.”
“Nope, not today gentlemen.” Mr. MacIntyre stood firm.
“I think you had better move that truck MacIntyre!” One of the men appeared to be threatening the farmer.
“I think you should know that this is Miss Hill, a reporter from the Banner. She would be happy to take pictures of the government bullies pushing a poor farmer around, wouldn’t you, Miss Hill?” Christine snapped a couple of pictures of the pickup and the two men.
“Sure would, Mr. MacIntyre. Can I have your name, sir?” She took her pad and pencil from her bag and looked pointedly at one of the men. He scowled at her.
“No comment! Come on, let’s go.” The two men got back in the truck and scattered dust and pebbles as they roared off down the road.
Christine and Mr. MacIntyre gave each other a ‘high five’ and laughed loudly. “That will teach them. Can you come out here every day, Christine?”
“I don’t think so, Mr. MacIntyre, but I am going to print these pictures and a short story of how the farmers are being mistreated. That should get rid of them for a while. Have a good day, Mr. MacIntyre.” She got in her car and drove back to town.
Thursday morning, Christine was given the assignment of covering the Bridgetown Businessmen’s Luncheon. She groaned, “Oh John, can’t you send somebody else.” She was much better at writing articles on subjects she believed in.
“Sorry Christine, but this one is all yours.”
Christine went home and changed into something more professional. In a black skirt and white blouse with a black sweater over her shoulders, she arrived at the luncheon. She took pictures of the attendees as they mingled before the speeches started and then sat down at the back of the room. One of the local bank managers took the podium.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to tell you a little about our new Small Business Environmental Loan. We recognize that environmental issues have a significant financial impact on small business. Meeting current standards and regulation can be costly, not to mention site investigations and clean-ups, which can be very costly. The SBEL is a means to help small business help themselves with environmental projects. Through the program, small businesses are able to achieve successes with their environmental projects and goals, while at the same time helping to preserve Bridgetown’s air, land, rivers and quality of life. We offer low interest loans to finance environmental projects such as capital equipment upgrades, costs associated with investigation and clean up of contaminated sites, and much more.”
He went on to say how business would benefit by reduced worker exposure, lower waste disposal fees and reduced regulatory burdens. All which will have a positive impact on the bottom line. A great cheer erupted from the crowd as he finished his speech. Christine could not help but think that it had been her idea for the loan, but at least the banks had taken up the challenge. She was very pleased.
Christine took some notes that she would add to her article later. She saw Sarah sitting with Mr. and Mrs. Martin at the head table. Sarah waved to her. She was wearing a very elegant black suit with taffeta lapels. A small white chemise with tiny pearls and rhinestones peeked out from her short jacket. Her blond hair was pulled back into a chignon and she looked very sophisticated. Christine looked at her friend for a few minutes as she talked with the Martins and the other business people at the table.
Christine was taken back to their university days, when as students she Sarah and Jack, would make fun of the ‘fat cats’ in the designer suits that cared more about money than the planet. She could not help but think that Sarah looked like she belonged in that group of ‘fat cats.’ I don’t think you know who you are anymore, Sarah. She was overcome by a sudden sadness. Am I losing my friend? Are we drifting apart?
She was shaken from her reverie by Sarah’s voice coming from the microphone on the podium. “Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with great pleasure that I introduce Mr. Charles Martin, of Martin and Schultz Chemical, the ‘Green’ Chemical Company.”
Everyone clapped as Charles Martin walked cockily up to the podium. Christine took a couple of pictures. In the pit of her stomach, something didn’t feel right about this.
“Hello Christine, covering the award for the Banner?” She turned to her left to see Marty, the owner of the charity shop standing beside her. Marty looked very sharp in her business suit.
“Marty, you look lovely. New suit?”
“It came from the shop, someone with more money than I’ve got brought it in as a donation. It fits like a glove and I paid six dollars for it. Nice, eh?” Christine laughed with Marty.
“Did you hear that the dry cleaner’s loan application was turned down?” Christine looked at Marty in surprise.
“You have to be kidding!” Just then the microphone boomed and they turned toward Charles Martin on the podium, who was about to speak.
“That award should go to people in the community like you, or Mr. Singh from the convenience store and Mr. Lee from the Chinese restaurant. You are the real stars in this environmental project,” Christine told Marty, who nodded in agreement.
“The big shots always give to their own, you know that Christine. Looks like Sarah DeVries, is in pretty thick with the Martins. I bet that outfit didn’t come from the charity shop.”
“She’s handling his green campaign.” Christine almost felt that she had to defend Sarah.
“She’s good; you should see the great website she made for me. Oh, looks like Mr. Martin is about to get his award. Get your camera ready.” Christine laughed and moved forward to get a better shot. The mayor presented the award to Charles Martin, the crowd cheered and Sarah was busting with pride. Charles thanked Sarah for the excellent job she had done to let the world know of the sincerity of Martin and Schultz Chemical, and invited her up to the podium. Mrs. Martin sneered at Sarah as she walked by; the look did not go unnoticed by Christine. Sarah joined Charles Martin on the podium and he thanked her for her hard work on his campaign. The crowd cheered. Sarah beamed with pride as Charles raised the medal to the reporters and the cameras flashed. Christine looked at her friend on the podium and she could not help think that Sarah was moving in different circles and would soon be gone.
Chapter Thirteen
Matt and Christine picked up Sarah in the Camaro, and took her to the fall fair. The entire town was out in full force to see the tractor pull, the horse show and the various contests. The three friends laughed when they saw the biggest pumpkin, which was huge and weighed more than four- hundred pounds, next to the smallest pumpkin, which was not much bigger than an apple. The atmosphere was chaotic and bustling with energy. There were dozens of craft tables and both Christine and Sarah bought gifts for Christmas. Matt bought a nice lace tablecloth for his mother.
It was a cool October day and the leaves were already falling. Children played in huge piles of leaves piled up at the edge of the park. Several riders on horseback ro
de through the fair grounds as the crowd made way. The vendors sold hot dogs, hamburgers, popcorn and various other tasty treats. The entire fairground was a mixture of smells and sounds that stirred memories of fair days gone by. Sarah remembered how Jack always bought her a cinnamon bun from one of the stalls. She was tempted to stop and buy one, but somehow it wasn’t the same. She settled for a candy apple when Matt offered to buy. As she bit into it, the gooey candy dripped down her chin, barely missing her new t-shirt. Not wanting to make a mess, she dropped it in the nearest garbage can. Matt watched her and gave Christine a baffled look. Christine chomped on her own apple until it was gone. She was not going to worry about Sarah today.
They saw Bernie in the cattle barn preparing for the show and stopped to chat for a few minutes. Edna and Dan were watching the tractor pull and waved across the field at them. Sarah told the others that Edna was having a difficult time recovering from the loss. Loud rock music could be heard from the direction of the beer tent, and Matt and Christine wanted to investigate. “You two go ahead, I want to pick up some red pepper jelly and some strawberry preserves from Mrs. Wilson’s table. I’ll meet you there in about an hour.” She wanted to let the lovers have some time alone. She did feel like a ‘gooseberry’ tagging along. They needed time without her and she did want to investigate the preserves tables. She looked at all of the preserves, jams and jellies on offer before choosing three jars to take home. Afterwards she wandered over to the carnival and watched the children on the merry-go-round and the ferris wheel. Smiling mothers watched as the children spun round and round, giggling and waving their chubby hands. Sarah’s mind wandered. I wonder if I will ever have children of my own. First I need to find a man of my own. Sarah wondered if that man was Jack or if she was just lonely. She missed him, but when he called she was so happy until he started to ask about Dan and training at the water treatment plant. He was so exasperating. Did she really want to spend the rest of her life listening to Jack’s tirades about politics? Did she see herself following him across the globe in search of another environmental project? Because that was what Jack intended to do. He was so sure of his life and she was so unsure of hers. She used to think the corporate world was a strange, despicable place that took from the poor and greedily took what they could for themselves, but now she had seen another side of this world. The glamorous side of meetings and podium presentations and people recognizing her in the street were part of her new world. She had a taste of a big pay packet at the end of the month and she liked it. Sarah looked down at the designer slacks and sandals on her feet and she liked what she saw. Maybe Sarah DeVries was meant for this world of money and corporate contracts. She would have to think about that more when she was at home. For now, she paid for the handmade tea towels and went to find her friends in the beer tent. It was noisy, rowdy and full. She stood at the entrance comparing it to the businessman’s luncheon with the white starched table clothes, the fine china and the well-dressed attendees. A young man in jeans and a baseball cap bumped into her, almost spilling his beer on her slacks. She jumped out of the way. He pushed past without so much as an apology. “Sarah?” She turned to see Charles Martin and his wife walking past the tent.
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