“Then why don’t you?” She asked.
“Uh...are you serious?” Dan asked.
“Were you?” Maggie asked as she tilted her head and displayed a half-smile as if to challenge him.
Dan looked perplexed for a few seconds before he answered.
“Yes, I was,” he said as started shifting to stand to his feet.
“What are you doing?” She asked.
“I’m going upstairs and I’m going to climb out on the roof,” Dan said.
“You’re not,” Maggie said in disbelief.
“Yes I am. I said I felt like it and you’re right, why not?” He said as he headed toward the stairs.
She started laughing and following him. Dan started running and Maggie started chasing him.
“Danny wait. You don’t have to. I was only kidding,” she laughed.
He dashed into the bedroom that Maggie was using and quickly started raising the window.
“Danny! You’ll fall off and break your neck! You don’t have to prove anything!” Maggie shouted half-laughing and half-worried.
Dan climbed onto the flat, balcony-type roof and walked over to the edge that was lined with short white railing. Maggie, now laughing non-stop, leaned out the window from the waist up.
“Danny! What’s gotten into you? Have you lost your mind?” She shouted.
He turned and looked at her with a broad grin. “No baby, just my heart,” Dan said as he turned to face the street. “I love Maggie Blake! Did you hear me world? I love Maggie Blake!” He shouted loud enough to be heard a block away - or so it seemed to Maggie, who looked at him lovingly.
While immersed in their playful revelry, neither noticed the gray and blue Ford Explorer with the blue lights on its top pull up in the street in front of the house or the rather large man driving it, step out.
“You on the roof. What’s your name?” The big man shouted.
The smiles vanished from the faces of both Dan and Maggie. The look they now shared was absolute fear.
“Uh...Dan Bradley...sir,” he said.
The big man nodded thoughtfully.
“You Jett’s boy?” He asked.
“Yes sir,” Dan said, hoping that might help.
Again the big man nodded.
“I take it you’re Maggie Blake,” he said to Maggie as she turned a bright shade of red.
“Y-yes sir,” she stammered.
“I figured,” the big man said as he looked back to Dan. “I can see why you love her son. She’s prettier than a Christmas tree,” he then looked to Maggie. “Your daddy would be proud.”
She looked relieved but confused.
“Thank you,” she shouted.
“Son, it’s Sunday afternoon. Church folks are trying to sleep. Love her a little more quietly. Now get off that roof – preferably back through that window,” the big man said.
“Yes sir,” Dan said as he headed toward the window.
The big man merely shook his head and muttered, “College kids,” as he got back inside the police car and pulled away.
Maggie’s stared in disbelief at Dan.
“I can’t believe you did that,” she said.
Dan wore a sheepish expression.
“Look on the bright side. Talking to our parents ought to be a breeze now,” he said.
***
Matt and Linda Sue turned onto Donahue Street to see the police vehicle sitting on front of Jett’s house and Dan standing on the roof. The rather large officer got back into the vehicle and pulled away before Matt could pull into the driveway.
“What was that all about?” Matt wondered aloud.
“I hope everything’s okay,” Linda Sue said as they both hurried to undo their seat belts and get out of the car.
Dan was climbing through the window when they pulled so he didn’t see them.
Matt rushed up the steps, opened the front door, and hurried inside with Linda Sue on his heels.
He could hear Maggie laughing all the way down the stairs, following a very red faced Dan who was laughing as well.
“What happened? Why was that cop here?” Matt asked as Dan and Maggie came to an abrupt halt about three-quarters of the way down the steps.
“Uh...it was nothing...just a misunderstanding,” Dan said as Maggie giggled.
Matt and Linda Sue looked at each other.
“Why were you on the roof?” Matt asked.
Dan and Maggie started walking down the steps again. Dan kept his head down and mumbled, “It was no big deal.”
Maggie laughed out loud and Dan gave her a pained look.
“Let me see if I got this right. You’re wandering around on the roof and the cops show up. And your girlfriend is laughing. Doesn’t sound like nothing to me Dan,” Matt said as Maggie laughed even louder.
“Just tell him. He’s going to find out sooner or later anyway. Besides, you were willing to tell the world a few minutes ago,” Maggie said through laughter.
Dan rolled his eyes in defeat.
“I went out on the roof to yell something because Maggie didn’t think I would,” he said.
“What did you yell?” Matt asked as he and Linda Sue eyed both Maggie who continued to laugh uncontrollably and Dan who struggled to speak.
“That I love Maggie,” he said.
Matt’s mouth dropped open and Linda Sue squealed.
“That’s so sweet!” She said.
Maggie grabbed Dan’s left bicep with both hands.
“It was the sweetest thing...until that cop showed up,” Maggie said.
“You? Of all people, you? You climbed out on the roof to yell you love Maggie? Dan, you’re the quiet one. You don’t do things like that. What did you do to him?” Matt asked Maggie.
“Leave him alone! I can’t believe you had the nerve to do that,” Linda Sue said to Dan.
“I only did it because...well...I do love her,” he said.
Maggie then embraced him.
“I love you too. And if you ever want me to, I’ll shout from the rooftops as well,” she said.
“I hope you’ve got the good sense to not do it in front of the cops,” Matt said.
And Maggie started laughing again.
***
Jett arrived at Bud’s house and was not surprised to find Alicia sitting on the on the front porch talking to Bud. He made his way up the concrete walk toward the porch.
“C’mon on up and get a seat,” Bud said.
Instead Jett plopped down the porch at the steps and learned back on a porch post.
“I appreciate it but I believe I’d rather pull up a big ol’ piece of porch,” Jett answered.
“Suit yourself. You want something to drink? Mallorie’s got iced tea in the kitchen,” Bud said.
Jett shook his head.
“I’m fine. I had a bottle of water a little bit ago,” he said and looked to Alicia and added, “I’m not shocked to see you here.”
She offered a wry smile.
“I would imagine not. I take it you had a visitor last night as well,” Alicia said.
Jett nodded.
“Yes I did,” he said.
“Well, that makes three of us,” Bud said.
“Did anyone else have a visitor this afternoon?” Jett asked.
“Did you have a nap or something?” Alicia asked.
“No, I was wide awake and it wasn’t one of our usual visitors,” Jett said, the concern obvious in his voice.
Bud leaned forward in his rocking chair and Alicia waited intently. Before he could speak, Mallorie reappeared with two tall glasses of iced tea.
“Hi Jett. How’s it going? “Mallorie asked.
“Doing fine at the moment. How are you doing?” Jett said.
Mallorie sat the glasses on a table between her and Bud.
“I need to leave for a bit. Granddaddy needs to see me for a few minutes,” she said.
“I hope everything’s okay,” Bud said.
“I haven’t been by there in a couple of days
. I’m sure it’s nothing. He apparently had some sort of bad dream last night and it’s bothered him all day,” Mallorie said as Jett and Alicia looked at each other.
Bud nodded. “You take care of things. I’ll be okay,” he said.
“If anything should happen to delay me, I’ll let you know,” she said as she rattled her car keys and turned toward the steps.
“Let me know if you need anything,” Bud said.
“I will. I’ll see you all later,” she said as headed for the black Jeep Wrangler in the driveway.
As she backed out of the driveway, Jett looked at Bud.
“I’m happy to say that wasn’t the least bit awkward,” Jett said.
“I assure you, it could have been much worse – like yesterday for example,” Bud said as Alicia checked out the blue sky.
“To be honest with you, I’m glad she’s gone. I need to talk to you about something. Did you know Mallorie’s mother?” Jett asked.
“Her mother? Not that I recall. She’s never mentioned her mother. In fact, she rarely talks about her family. Why on earth would you ask that?” Bud asked.
“I have reason to believe her mother was a woman named Marie Atkins,” Jett said.
Bud shifted uncomfortably before he spoke. “Marie?”
“Did you know her?” Jett repeated.
“Yes, I knew her and her family quite well. Her father Earl was not only mayor, he was a good friend,” Bud said.
“Do I need to give you two some privacy?” Alicia asked.
“No, please stay. This concerns you too,” Jett said.
Bud looked at Jett as did Alicia.
“Why are you asking me about Marie Atkins? You obviously know she committed suicide more than thirty years ago,” Bud said.
“Mallorie’s mother killed herself?” Alicia asked.
Bud nodded his head sadly.
“If she’s Mallorie’s mother. It’s one of the most tragic stories I’ve ever covered. Such a beautiful and intelligent girl with a great future,” Bud said as he reflected for a moment. “I’m going to ask again, what brought that up? If you have any qualms about Mallorie just say so,” he added.
“You don’t understand. I met Marie Atkins a couple of hours ago,” Jett said.
Bud’s eyes widened and Alicia slowly turned to stare at him in disbelief.
***
As Dan and Maggie sat in the back of the blue 2009 Ford Mustang, Matt pulled out onto Donahue Street.
“Do you really think dad’s sick and is hiding it from us?” Dan asked.
“I don’t know but something’s going on. I think it’s time to ask him point blank,” Matt said.
“Did your mom say why she wanted to get down here so fast?” Dan asked Maggie, who now looked worried.
“She just said she had to talk to Uncle Jett and that it was urgent. I didn’t think it sounded suspicious,” Maggie said.
“I don’t mean to add to speculation, but that just doesn’t sound good,” Linda Sue said.
“I can’t see your dad keeping anything like that from either of you,” Maggie said.
“We’ll find out in a few minutes,” Matt said as he turned onto Main Street.
***
Alicia and Jett listened as Bud told the sad tale of Lee Clark and Marie Atkins.
“Marie was pregnant when Lee got killed. I really didn’t know him well, just by reputation. His daddy owned a boat dealership in Somerset. Lee had the reputation of a party boy. I know Earl didn’t think much of him – and Edna hated him. But Marie loved him. His BAC registered .20 at the time of the accident and the tox report showed traces of marijuana in his system as well,” Bud said.
“One party too many,” Jett said.
“Exactly. And Marie almost went crazy with grief; so much so that Earl and Edna worried she would miscarry. Anyway, she gave birth in January. Marie had good days and bad days after that, but the family thought she had turned the corner. That April they found out the hard way she hadn’t,” Bud said.
“That’s so awful,” Alicia said.
“Doesn’t it kind of creep you out a little when you’re with her, knowing her history and all I mean,” Jett said.
“Not until now because I didn’t know,” Bud said.
“I’m not judging you,” Jett said.
“I know. But there’s something that just occurred to me,” Bud said as he looked at Alicia. “J.D. mentioned that Mallorie saw him upstairs in the apartment last night and he couldn’t understand why. That visit Jett got today might explain that,” he said.
“It’s a connection but I can’t see where J.D. fits into this,” Jett said.
“Speaking of the apartment, would you mind if I took a look at it tonight?” Alicia asked.
“Not at all. I’ll get you a key before you leave,” Bud said.
“Rose suggested I talk to Bud,” Alicia explained to Jett.
“J.D. pointed me to the place to talk to Rose and Marie told me if I would come by there tonight, Rose will be there,” Jett said.
Bud looked at Jett with eyes that were suddenly red and moist.
“Tell her to come see her uncle now and then would you?” He asked.
Jett nodded.
“Gladly. I just want to see her face and look into those beautiful eyes again,” he said.
***
The sound of the Mustang pulling into the driveway caught their attention.
Matt opened the door and stepped out as Linda Sue stepped out of the passenger side followed by Maggie. Dan crawled out of the driver’s side from the backseat.
“They look serious,” Jett said.
“Yes they do,” Alicia agreed.
Bud stood and called out to them.
“Come on up and find a place to sit,” he said.
Dan and Maggie made their way up the steps as Jett stood and stepped out of the way. They walked on past him as Jett met Dan’s gaze. They sat down on the swing at the end of the porch.
Matt held Linda Sue’s hand as stepped onto the porch.
“Uncle Bud, this is Linda Sue Banks, my girlfriend,” Matt said.
Bud smiled as he looked the young lady in the eye. She didn’t know what to expect from the man that allegedly so despised her uncle.
“It’s so nice to meet you,” he said as he extended his hand. “So she’s the one that’s been keeping you away from our all-guy nights. I can see why. She’s a doll – I don’t know how you did it,” Bud said to Matt.
In spite of herself, Linda Sue blushed.
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Rivers,” she said softly, giving the impression that she had been expecting horns, a tail, and a pitchfork.
“Please find a place to sit, and call me Bud,” he said as he took her hand and led her to a chair as Matt followed watching her carefully.
“You know who my uncle is, don’t you?” Linda Sue asked.
“Yes I do. But please understand I have no gripe with you or your family. It’s Little Wade only – and that’s merely professional, not personal,” Bud said.
Matt sat down next to her and breathed a silent prayer of thanks.
“So, did you boys come out to see your Uncle Bud or have you got something else on your mind?” Jett asked.
Dan and Matt looked at each other, each challenging the other to speak first. Finally, Dan spoke up.
“Matt and I need to talk you...alone,” he said.
Jett started to say something then changed his mind. “Okay,” he said.
“Maggie! Why don’t you and I show your mom and Linda Sue the apartment,” Bud said.
“I’d love to see it again,” Alicia said.
They all stood and started walking down the steps and around the walk toward the apartment.
After they got out of sight, Jett turned to his sons. “Okay boys, what’s so important that it couldn’t wait until I got home?” He asked.
“We’re worried about you dad,” Matt said.
“What’s going on?” Dan asked.
Jett looked at each of his sons.
“What do you mean?” He asked.
“You’ve not been yourself since you got back here and you’ve lost weight – I’d guess about 10 pounds,” Matt said.
“More like 12,” Jett said.
“And then Aunt Alicia showing up out of the blue. What are you not telling us?” Dan asked.
“Is there a problem with your health?” Matt asked.
Jett flinched.
“My health? You guys think I’m sick?” He asked.
“Are you?” Dan asked.
“We remember how things were when mom started getting sick. It’s a lot like that now,” Matt said.
Seeing the concern in their eyes, Jett debated trying to explain to them what was going on.
“I appreciate the concern but I’m not sick. I have been worried a lot lately about our house in Lexington. I’m torn on whether or not to sell it. And on top of everything else we’re looking at a complete redesign of the paper. I have had a lot on my mind lately, but outside of a little acid reflux and an occasional touch of insomnia, I assure you my health is fine,” he said.
“That doesn’t explain Aunt Alicia dropping in,” Matt said.
“I called her for some help with a story idea I have and she decided to come down for a few days. Any more questions?” Jett asked.
Both Matt and Dan looked relieved.
“No, I guess not,” Matt said.
“What’s the story idea?” Dan said.
“It’s something that the two of us planned to discuss with you two and Maggie tonight. Bud is already aware. He and I had some discussions at the hospital yesterday and Alicia filled him in on the rest of the info. I didn’t know she was here. I went by the paper and walked on over to talk with him a little more about it,” Jett said.
“So there’s nothing else going on?” Dan asked.
“Boys – you know me. I’m your dad. I would tell you if something was wrong,” he hated lying to them but he saw no alternative.
“So are you going to tell us now or makes us wait?” Matt asked.
“To save time and effort, we’ll discuss in detail it later. I want you guys and Maggie to start keeping a journal of your dreams. In a nutshell – I’m working on a series of articles I want to publish dealing with dreams,” Jett said.
Only When I Dream Page 15