by Rod Carstens
"My name is Tom Ballard. Jack Reynolds befriended me over twenty years ago as a young Marine escorting the body of my best friend home from Vietnam. He supported me and opened his house to me not because he knew me, but because I was a Marine. Once a Marine always a Marine. We remained close ever since. In fact he was the closest thing I ever had to a father. When Kate and I were going through his papers I found a picture of Jack and the remains of his platoon taken after the battle of Tarawa. Jack had kept a careful record of what happened to each of them. The following are their names. William Russell, killed in action on Saipan, Richard Willis killed in action on Saipan, Mark Gray killed in action on Saipan, Charlie Simpson, killed in action on Saipan, Oliver Turner killed in action on Tinian, Mathew Grant killed in action on Tinian, Harry Roberts killed in action on Okinawa, Steven Clark killed in action on Okinawa, Jack Fisher killed in action on Okinawa, and Alfie George killed in action on Okinawa. Out of the eleven men that had survived Guadalcanal and Tarawa Jack was the only one of his friends to survive the war."
Tom had to clear his voice to keep it under control. He glanced at Kate who had tears running down her face, but a smile of encouragement broke the sadness. She reached for Gretchen's hand took it for support.
"I speak with experience when I say being the only survivor of a unit carries a weight that remains with you for the rest of your life. He carried that weight with a generosity and dignity that would have made his buddies proud. Now I would like preform one last ceremony before we allow him to join his friends."
Tom turned and stepped up to Jack's coffin and reached into his pocket. He took out the ribbons for Jacks medals. He took the first one and placed it on the Jack's coffin. Then with one hard swing of his fist he pounded the label pin into the wood of the coffin. Kate startled when his fist hit the casket.
"Silver Star awarded for gallantry above and beyond the call of duty Tarawa."
He took the next medal and placed it on the coffin and did the same.
"Bronze Star awarded for gallantry above and beyond the call of duty Saipan."
Finally he took out the Purple Heart.
"Purple Heart with a cluster for wounds suffered on Tarawa and Saipan."
Once more he drove them into the coffin with his fist.
Then Tom reached up on his lapel and took his own Silver Star and Purple Heart ribbons off. Kate put her hand to her mouth to keep from sobbing out loud, she had no idea he was going to do this. He put his Silver Star pin on top on the casket and pounded it into the wood.
"Silver Star awarded for gallantry above and beyond he call of duty Hue, Vietnam 1968."
He drove it into the wood of the casket.
"Purple Heart awarded for wounds suffered in the Republic of Vietnam. 1968."
Again he pounded it into the coffin. The last time so loud some people jumped.
"Without Jacks advice and support I would not have survived Vietnam or the personal war that comes for everyone after their war is supposed to be over."
Tom nodded the Marine Lieutenant.
"Detail. Port arms."
The Marines brought their rifles up as one.
"Ready, Aim, Fire."
Kate stood and took Tom's hand and they stood together. Gretchen and Rachel came and stood next to them, the four of them Jack's family and the products of his life. Kate jumped each time the Marines fired their salute. The four of them stood standing after the salute ended lost in their thoughts of Jack and what he had meant to each of them.
When the rifle salute had finished the bugler began taps. Kate squeezed his hand hard during the rendition. She did not relax her grip until the bugler had finished the song. The four of them stood silently lost in their thoughts. Rachel sobbed and leaned on her mother. Tom put his arm around Kate and just held her, as much for him as for her.
The Marines folded the flag in perfect coordination. The Lieutenant walked up to Kate and gave it her. She hugged to her breast the same as Mama Mac had done so many years ago. She bent her head and cried into the flag. Slowly the crowd began to disperse. Kate and Tom still stood together. Gretchen and Rachel sat down as Gretchen comforted Rachel. Finally, Gretchen got up and put her hands on their shoulders.
"Guys it time to go. People will be arriving at the house soon."
Kate and Tom almost shook themselves out of their revelry and let Gretchen lead them and Rachel back to the limo. On his way to the car Tom picked up one of the bouquet of flowers. Kate just looked at him puzzled but did not ask why. As they were walking toward the car a tall black man dressed in an expensive suit walked up to them. He fit right in with the rest of the Hollywood crowd perfectly attired with a confidence that comes with money and power.
"I'd like to introduce myself if I could. My name is James Thomas."
Kate and Tom just looked at him neither recognizing him. With a smile the man said.
"I'm Corner Boy."
Tom broke out in a big smile.
"I'll be damned." He extended his hand to Corner Boy. "You made it man. You made it."
Kate smiled and gave him a hug.
"How in the world did you make the connection?"
"When I took you to the house. I wanted to know who lived there. I wanted to know what someone did to make that much money. I found out about Jack Reynolds. Over the years I saw you in the movies and on TV. So I knew your history. Every now and then I would see small mention of Jack and I always read them. When I saw his obit in the paper I was hoping you two would be there. So here I am."
"You look wonderful." Kate said. "Thank you so much for coming. Please come to the house we are going to have a good old-fashioned wake to celebrate Jack's life. Besides it will give us time to hear your story. I would love to hear every word."
"Thank you, but I have to get back to work. I have court case tomorrow."
"We have one more stop before we head to the beach. I'd like you to come." Tom said.
"Where Tommy?" Kate asked puzzled.
"To Mac and Mama Mac's graves." Kate reached over to Tom and took his hand and gave it a squeeze.
"I would like that very much." Kate said.
In the ride over to the other graveyard Tom and Kate explained who Corner Boy was and his connection to Tom and Jack to Gretchen and Rachel. Corner Boy followed them in a large black Mercedes. When the driver reached the gravesite. Kate and Tom slipped out of the car and were joined by Corner Boy. They walked slowly up to the two graves mother and son side by side. Tom stood there for a long moment before he knelt down and pulled some weeds from around the two headstones. Then he carefully laid the flowers between the two graves. The three stood there for sometime before Tom said.
"If hadn't been for Mac none of us would be standing here. He was the best man I ever knew. You know back then it wasn't always the best thing for a black guy to be friends with a white guy in Nam. Once when we were in the rear out of the bush, some of the black guys tried to give Mac a hard time. He whipped their asses before I could get there. When I did he just smiled and said 'I go this one bro. Nobody tells me what to do.' I looked down at the three guys on the ground. They were badass guys themselves. I said 'remind me to always say please pass the ham and motherfuckers'. He just laughed. I could always make him laugh."
Corner Boy laughed and shook his head. "He was one badass son of a bitch."
"He got his strength from Mama Mac." Kate said. "I only met her only but she was one of the strongest and loving woman I think I ever met. The moment you walked into her house you felt that love and strength. She never lost her dignity."
"After you gave me the bracelet. Every time she saw me on the block she would say 'what are you doing here? Are you doing what my Randy told you to do?' and I would have to explain to her every step I was taking to 'do what her Randy' told me to do. She cared about me as much as my own family just because Mac had thought so much of me. She was a remarkable woman. She came to my college graduation and my law school ceremony." Corner Boy said.
"But it
all started with one young black Marine and how he lived his life and how he died." Tom said.
Tom knelt and put his hand on Mac's headstone.
"Mac your death was not in vain. Not because of some patriotic bullshit but because of who you were and how you lived your life. You affected more people than you will ever know. I am a firefighter/paramedic Mac I've fought fires in poorest section of town and in the richest, I've treated thousands of people from delivering babies to caring for the 100 year old son of former slaves. Black, white, brown, yellow; skin color never matters just the way you taught me I treat them all. I give them all the best care I can. I am what I am because you saved my life. I feel as if each time I help somebody it makes your life just a little more important. It also helps me fill that hole Nam left in me. No, my old friend what you where lives on through Corner Boy and me. Thank you dude. You were the best."
Then he put his hand on Mama Mac gravestone.
"Mama Mac thank you for your strength and love that you used to raise such a man. And thank you for all of the advice you gave me over the years. We never saw each other again but you were there through all the phone calls and letters. I am sure I am not the only one who leaned on you for help either. You live on through all those you touched. Thank you Mama Mac."
The three stood there silent for some time. Corner Boy broke the silence.
"You know, I talked to her not long before her death and she asked me if I was doing what her Randy had told me to do. This is even after I became a partner in my firm. She always kept me grounded. If I were not doing enough pro bono work she would give me hell. And it didn't matter if the clients were white or black or Latino as long as they were poor people needing help. As you said Tom she lives on, I have my own firm now and I require a certain number of hours of pro bono work hours out of all of them. Yes both Mac and Mama Mac live on. I hope I can live up to their standards."
Tom looked over at Corner Boy.
"If I had to make a guess James I think Mac and Mama Mac are pretty pleased." Tom said.
"That may be but it is you I wanted to talk to today."
"I don't understand."
"Do you remember what you said to me that day at the beach house?" Corner Boy said.
"Not really. Just get it done."
"No you said and I quote 'Listen a better man than you or I will ever be had faith in you and saw something no one else did. He was wearing this bracelet when he died. Do not let him down.' You have no idea how many times I thought of that phrase through the years. I always wanted to say thanks. It made a difference."
Tom and Corner Boy shook hands and gave one another a hug.
"No sweat dude. Take care James."
"That is Corner Boy to you Marine."
With that the three of them went back to their cars. The limo took Tom and rest to the beach house while Corner Boy went his own way.
CHAPTER 58
Jack’s Beach
Malibu, California
When the limo arrived at the beach house the street was already lined with cars. There was every sort of expensive car Tom could imagine. Porches, Mercedes of every color and year, even a Rolls Royce, you name it and it was there. Tom was not sure he was ready for all of this as he followed Kate and Gretchen who were arm in arm with Rachel. When they entered the house it was already full of expensively dressed men and women. Then Tom began to recognize faces. Famous faces not on television or in a movie theatre but in the beach house he had known for twenty years.
Tommy Lee Jones greeted Kate with a smile and a hug. They had starred in that mini-series together. Michelle Pfeiffer was next to greet Kate and Gretchen she hugged them both then talked to the quietly. She was more beautiful in person than on the screen. He slipped past the growing crowd around the three women unnoticed as they slowly worked their way through those wishing to express their condolences. He recognized Martin Scorsese, Nicholas Cage, Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn, Tom Hanks and Harrison Ford. He stopped counting at that point. No one seemed interested in talking to him and he felt more comfortable that way, the invisible face in the crowd.
He was glad he had not known who was in the crowd at the gravesite or he might not have bared his soul the way he did. Now he almost felt embarrassed by his display of emotion. He was not someone who felt comfortable displaying his emotions it had been ground into him in the Marine Corp and on the fire department; you had to be the calm at the center of the storm. Never show your emotions keep them bottled up, because if you let them out you might loose control. No, showing emotions was not something he did easily, and the more he saw the crowd the less he felt comfortable. His one suit was obviously the cheapest suit in the room and looked it compared to the others. He spotted the bar in the corner. There was even a bartender. He moved through the crowd to the bar.
"Give me a vodka rocks with a lime."
The handsome young bartender gave him a conspiratorial smile and said.
"Sorry pal but the help can't drink."
The last of Tom's patience suddenly snapped, he was tired of feeling uncomfortable among the rich and famous. He was suddenly that young tough Marine sergeant who just wanted a goddamn drink. Through clenched teeth he said. "I'm not the fucking help asshole."
"But I thought. I mean your not.."
"Not one of them. No I 'm not. I knew Jack for over twenty years. We were both Marines. He was like a father to me now give me a fucking drink before I tear your fucking little head off."
Rachel walked up. "Is there a problem?"
"He thought I was part of the help."
"Jesus, I'm sorry. He most definitely not part of the help. Give him anything he wants and as much as he wants." Rachel said.
"Yes, ma'am." The bartender said as he poured Tom drink.
"I am so sorry Tom." Rachel said.
"It is alright Rachel." And stopped before he said anything else.
"I'll tell Mom and Aunt Kate.."
"No, just let them be with their friends. I will be fine."
Tom took his drink and moved away from the bar. He needed to be by himself. He didn't hear Rachel say. "But Tom they're not really their friends."
Tom made his way through the crowd and out onto the deck. It was late afternoon and a cool breeze was blowing in off the ocean. He took several deep breaths and a hefty gulp of his drink. The kid made an honest drink. Then someone said.
"Excuse me."
When he turned he saw a bald man in his sixties with grey hair and an expensive suit like the others.
"You probably don't remember me but I am Ben Klein the lawyer Kate asked to look into how you could get out of your situation as she called it."
Tom broke into a huge smile and extended his hand. "Of course I do. How are you?"
"Doing well as long as I follow doctors orders. You know how that goes."
"Yeah, I'm afraid I do."
"I just wanted to say I was glad that you made it through Vietnam, but more than that I wanted say how moving I thought what you did at the grave site was."
"Thanks that means a lot. I'm a little embarrassed I said those things in front of that crowd."
Ben smirked and shook his head. "Don't worry about it. A few will understand, but the rest will just think you were doing the usual."
"The usual?"
"That what I call it. You know how everyone loves working with everyone else. Or it is so tragic that something happened to someone. Well all of that is an act; there are only a few people in there who are real enough to understand what you were saying. The rest have gotten lost in the hype and all of the attention. It's almost impossible to keep yourself normal in this environment. I've been their lawyer now for almost thirty years and I've seen it all."
Tom was almost afraid to ask. "What about Kate?"
Ben looked at him for a long moment before he spoke, as if he were weighing his words carefully. "Kate fell into the trap for a long time but climbed her way out of it with the help of Jack and Gretchen. They were her rocks of
sanity. Jack as a writer had been screwed enough to know the ropes and then some. Gretchen has never fallen for this game, it was as if she was born knowing how to handle it, she has always played the business as a game and it has served her well. As their attorney over the years you know everything about someone. There are no secrets. Short of a medical doctor an attorney in this business knows everything. Each of them; Kate and Gretchen are a business just being themselves and almost every decision they make has consequences financially for themselves and others. So when I tell you that Kate is all right you can take it to the bank. Gretchen as much as Jack taught her a lot about playing the game over the last years and she had finally learned."
"That is good to hear now that Jack is gone."
"Oh, Gretchen and Kate make a formidable pair. They always have each others back in this town."
"Good from the sound of it she will need it."
Ben hesitated for a moment as if he was not sure if he should ask the question then he did. "What about you and Kate?"
"What about us? She is just making a movie in town and we happened to meet. Pure chance again. It is nothing more than that. But it proved to be a godsend when this happened and we both have helped each other through this. Beyond that, no I don't think so."
Then Tom glanced behind Ben at the crowd inside and said."I don't belong in this world."
"What do you do now?"
"I'm a firefighter/paramedic on the city's department. I'm a Chief."
"Impressive. Do you like it?"
"Love it. Saved my life after Nam. Gave me something positive to do with myself."
"Good. It is important for a man to love what he does."
"Do you?"
"Yeah, believe or not even in this cruel, crazy business, But it is a challenge. I guess I am little like Jack. I protect my clients from the bad guys too."
"No, I got a feeling you do as much as Jack did."
"Thanks. I feel the same thing about what you do. Well I better get back inside before somebody says yes to a deal that will get them on the wrong side of things."