by Tara Gabor
“I’d want my money back,” James began, feeling more positive. “I can give them back what I have.”
“You don’t have all of it, do you? Did you do this crime all on your own?”
“No. I just went along with the others and I wanted to buy Callie something nice so I went along and took money that wasn’t mine. I’m sorry.”
Tears streamed down both James’ and Callie’s cheeks. Thomas pinched his lips together to keep from crying along with them.
“Who had the gun?” Kyle asked.
“There was no gun,” James said, not taking his eyes from Callie’s. “Jed kept his hand in his pocket to make it look like a gun. It sounded like a joke. Almost.”
Kyle hung his head, shaking it sadly.
May watched James and Callie.
“They weren’t armed,” Kyle said. “They didn’t get away with much. Sixty dollars might be a misdemeanor.”
“Plus your thirty dollars! I still have your wallet.” James plunged his hand in his pocket and came up with the leather wallet Kyle had surrendered earlier in the day. “There is only 22 dollars in it, seeing as how I gave the money to my Dad, and, uh, here,” he held the wallet out towards Kyle.
Kyle accepted the wallet and looked inside. A smile crossed his face.
“The wedding photo is still in it,” he said.
“Not the point, do you think? A young man goes along with a robbery. He thinks that’s how a man behaves? I believe I have met your mama, James. Did you tell her what you did this morning?”
James shook his head. He had not.
“Maybe I’m just stupid,” he said, “My head was full of Callie’s plans for us. I talked to Maw about that. It’s like I didn’t have room for anything else in my head. She told me to follow Callie, to listen to her. Maybe she knew she would bring me here?”
“Perhaps, if James is agreeable, we could repay Don and SallyJo.”
James looked at Kyle, unsure if he heard right. The guy he robbed, the guy his family wanted to throw off a mountain, wanted to help him pay back the cafe owners?
“I, uh, I owe you. I swear I will pay you back every penny.”
May remained unconvinced. Her justice was generally more corporal.
“Seems too soft for the crime, Doctor Kyle.”
“May, James made a mistake, certainly. A serious mistake. Stealing is very serious. But it might have been much worse.”
May frowned, but she said nothing.
“No weapon was used, after all. And while they were frightening, there was no violence and the take was rather small.”
“I don’t see any redeeming features there,” May retorted.
“Perhaps there are though. James has learned an important lesson,” Kyle paused, looking towards James. James bobbed his head up and down.
“He’s repentant.” More head bobbing as James agreed with Kyle.
“And he will never, ever do anything like this again.” Kyle finished speaking.
A long moment passed and no one uttered a sound. Callie played with a button on her blouse, unraveling a thin thread of hair. She twirled it around her little finger, looking at May as if she wished she could speak, and then she rewound the hair around the button. May watched Callie. They exchanged a look before Callie turned to James and nodded her head.
“I am so sorry,” James began, realizing it was his turn to talk. “I made a terrible mistake, I realize that now, and I will never, ever do anything like this again.”
After a short pause, May conceded James needed a second chance. They worked out a deal. James would move to Lexington and start Bluegrass Community College along with Callie. He would get a job and send money back to the cafe until the entire sixty dollars was repaid.
“Remember. No return address. Wrap the money in plain paper so it cannot be seen through the envelope.”
“I’ll help him remember,” Callie promised.
“Then let’s get going before anyone else arrives. No one else has to know of our secret,” Kyle urged.
Callie gave May and Thomas long hugs, and Kyle and James buttoned their jackets and made to leave. As they headed towards the door, the parrot spoke up again.
“Bye-bye,” he called after them.
Kyle had a smile on his lips as he passed through the door into the still night.
Chapter 29
Kyle led the way, limping slightly, anxious to get home to his pregnant wife and put the Great Appalachian Cafe Heist behind him. James came behind, while Callie trailed more slowly, waving to May and Thomas. Kyle reached the truck and opened the rear passenger door. James made it to the front passenger side of the truck in a few strides.
May was closing the door and Callie turned her head towards the truck, finally ready for the trip to town, when Guy sprang out from his cover at the corner of the house. Armed with a bowie knife he had kept hidden beneath his under shirt, he grabbed Callie by the hair, throwing her off balance. Her feet stumbled a step backward, following the movement of her head. She cried out. Guy wrapped his arm around her neck and pulled the frightened woman to him. He wielded the knife in his left hand, waving it near Callie’s throat.
David rushed from around the corner after Guy, too late to stop him.
“Callie!” James cried out, making a move towards her. He froze when he saw the knife Guy held.
“I knew it! I knew you were going to turn us in,” Guy said, indignation framing his angry tone.
David took in the scene before him. How could they have all ended up here in a bizarre standoff? He couldn’t think, stunned by Guy’s quick ambush.
“Dad! We worked it out, inside. The doc, here, just wants to go home. I’m going to pay the restaurant back. He doesn’t want to get us in trouble. Guy! Let Callie go.”
“He’s right. No one wants to get you in trouble. There is time to get away. Just let the young lady go. I have no intention of making trouble for anyone.”
“No way!” Guy muttered, twisting between David on his right and the others on his left. May and Thomas had come outside, staying near the door. May faced Guy directly and stood closest.
“Young man, help has been called for and will be here shortly. You best listen to what’s good for you.”
“Don’t preach to me, you ol’ biddy. You may make some mean moonshine, but you got no power over me.”
“Perhaps not. Perhaps I’m just an old woman,” May spoke smoothly. “But I haven’t lived this long not to have learned a few things, and I can tell you that the way you are going, you will meet a sorry end.”
“Huh!” Guy shook the knife towards May. “I’d say I’m the one in charge here. I’m giving the orders, and I’ve got a plan. James, did you bring the gasoline like your daddy done tol’ ya to?”
“Yes,” James answered slowly, confused at Guy’s interest in the gasoline.
“If you want to use the truck to leave, that would be okay,” Kyle offered. “I’ll just be late getting home.”
“Yeah, I’ll say you will after this cabin burns to the ground with all the witnesses, including my turncoat cousin.”
“Guy, no,” David started.
Guy was pleased with his plan. The gasoline would start a nice fire, leaving no witnesses, only speculation, and if his uncle didn’t see the wisdom in it, he might push him inside the cabin with his traitor son. Guy could handle Jed. All he would have to do would be spin a yarn for Jed about how the dentist had fought them and in the confusion the gasoline had spilled and caught fire. He might even write a song about it, a tragic ballad with mournful words and a catchy tune.
“Guy, yes,” Guy replied. “Either you’re with me or you’re with them.”
“You are drunk. You aren’t thinking right,” David pleaded. “This is wrong. It’s not the way. We can leave now, right now.”
“You think we can just walk away? They’ll talk. They’ll all squeal like little piggies to the big pigs. They’ll bust in on us and arrest us in our sleep.”
The men shook
their heads. Kyle and David stared at Guy as they moved their heads back and forth, willing Guy to believe them. James directed his stare at Callie. She looked scared, and Guy looked unhinged.
Callie’s gaze strayed to May, who stood calmly, her arm around the shoulder of the young boy next to her. May lifted her eyes slightly, communicating to Callie to remain still, don’t panic, don’t move. The message reached Callie, though later she would not be able to describe what made her still her body at that moment.
The black bear severed Guy’s knife-holding arm at the shoulder in one slice, approaching from Guy’s rear. The attack was so sudden and savage that Guy had no time to cry out. He barely moved his eyes to look at the dismembered limb when the bear grabbed him with both arms, throwing his body several yards into the woods.
For a long moment everyone froze. Callie willed herself to James’ embrace, but her body would not move. The others stood in similar poses, in awe of the beast that hovered above the girl. The bear appeared to be looking over Callie’s head, as if waiting. No one moved, saved a small dip of May’s head. The bear bolted, picking up Guy’s body as if he were a pile of straw, and disappeared into the woods.
The sound of vehicles entering the lane brought everyone out of their inertia. Callie and James ran towards each other. May took Thomas by the hand, walking towards the headlights approaching them. Kyle took several cautious steps towards David who bounced from foot to foot, fighting indecision and trying to decide between chasing after the bear or reunion with James.
“James deserves a chance, don’t you think? He seems like a good boy,” Kyle began.
“Aye. He is the best of us, I reckon.”
“Then let’s declare peace. What do you say?”
“You hold the cards now, I wager. But I meant you know harm. James suggested we just leave you be. Jed went back to his woman’s house. I tried to persuade Guy that’s what we needed to do and take our chances. But, I don’t know what got in ‘im. And that, that, creature. Do you think my nephew could be alive?”
“It is possible,” he started. The depth of emotion he saw in the other man’s eyes choked back more conciliatory words. “But he is not likely to survive a brutal attack like that for long.”
David shook his head, but no words would come.
Footsteps from behind made Kyle turn around. A group of men advanced towards them.
“Dr. Kyle? I’m Franklin Eppes. Callie came to me to round up help for you. I’m afraid it took me a while to find the phone number for your wife, but we called her and let her know you were safe with Miz May. Miz May explained what happened here. Certainly is strange. Haven’t been any bear population in Kentucky for a hundred years or more, but yet, a bear attacked one of the men trying to help you get home. Beats explanation, it surely does. I’ve got a couple o’ boys trained in paramedic. They’ve placed the, um, arm on ice. We didn’t exactly come prepared to trap a bear, but we have some rifles and two flashlights. We’ll track him as far as we can.” Franklin nodded and moved off with a group of men playing lights along the ground looking for a trail to follow.
David and Kyle exchanged a look but had no time to discuss what Franklin had just told them.
“Dad?” James called. He held Callie’s hand in his as he approached his father. “This is Callie.”
Kyle backed away, leaving David alone to learn from James about his plans for a future. He joined May and Thomas and two other men standing near a jeep. The evening was bitter cold and yet no one seemed affected by the weather. Perhaps the drama that had unfolded before them had raised their metabolism. Whatever the explanation, the chill was no longer anyone’s priority.
“Dr. Kyle, these young men are Mickey and Jackson. They can take you home right away. I believe the sheriff will be down tomorrow morning, most likely, and I will relay the facts as I remember them. I will request he send a copy of the report to you to check my recollection.”
“That should be fine,” Kyle said, looking pointedly into her gray eyes. However she relayed the events of the evening to the authorities, he would validate her version, believing justice appreciated a helping hand at times.
Kyle gladly climbed into the jeep behind the two men, waving a final goodbye to Thomas and the phlegmatic May.
Chapter 30
Three months later
Funeral goers packed the area around May Gayland’s cabin, equipped with blankets, lawn chairs, fans, and even coolers. Thomas led Kyle, Beatrice and their newborn son past the throng of onlookers. Kyle was not surprised at their number. May had an impact on everyone she met. Kyle knew that from personal experience. Most of the people gathered on this sunny mountain day grieved for her. A few marked her passing with more judgmental feelings, and some, Kyle heard, were there because of rumors a black bear might make an appearance.
Reverend Wellesford acknowledged Kyle with a taciturn nod. Taking a seat in the back of the room, he apparently was not officiating today’s service. Kyle returned the gesture and continued towards the front row of chairs where two had been reserved next to James and Callie. David and Elizabeth were in the row behind them with another young man Kyle recognized from the day of the Great Appalachian Cafe Heist. Kyle had not returned to the area since that day, grateful the university maintenance department had handled the details of returning the mobile lab to Lexington. The lab, and Kyle with it, returned to service two weeks later. While he was on paid leave, Beatrice had given birth to a healthy baby boy a few days prematurely. She joked the early delivery was due to worry when her husband had not come home as expected one evening.
A day later, an official letter arrived requiring Kyle’s signature. The typed letter described how he had fled the disabled bus, took shelter at May’s cabin, and was about to accept a ride home when a helpful passerby was the victim of a rare bear attack. Efforts to track the bear and help the man were vigorous, but no one ever found a trace of either. Only the severed arm remained to provide closure for the family.
Kyle took his seat alongside James and Callie. David sat in the row behind them; a woman and young man sat next to him who Kyle correctly guessed were his wife and eldest son. The woman’s eyes were moist, and she dabbed them with a hand-crocheted handkerchief. The men worked at appearing stoic, but Kyle saw the telltale red rims of recent tears around David’s eyes. The young man next to David appeared pensive, his gaze concentrated on another young woman a few chairs away.
There was quiet rustling as people arrived, taking up the few remaining seats and whispering to each other. May was not fond of photos, but a few snapshots and two professionally made photographs sat chronologically on a wooden sideboard moved to the center of the room. Quiet fell upon the room as Thomas processed up the short aisle between the chairs and towards the sideboard. A man in a black suit followed Thomas. His thick black hair and energetic steps belied his age, though the deep lines creasing his face hinted at a generous number of years. He introduced himself as Johnny Mooney, a Cherokee Tribal Councilman and half-brother to May Gayland, and his words made many in attendance laugh and cry. Kyle appreciated Johnny’s speaking style, from his deep voice to his gift for seeming to include all belief systems while celebrating May’s particular faith.
The use of childhood anecdotes and well-worn traditional fables enchanted the audience and painted a particularly touching picture of the deceased. As the guest speaker was nearing the end of what he came to say, he spoke of May’s legacy, counting Thomas and Callie as the most important. When Kyle heard his own name mentioned, his eyes snapped to Johnny’s, who met Kyle’s gaze straightforwardly. Johnny was relaying May’s request that Kyle and his family accept the parrot in their home as a permanent addition. He continued to recite her other bequeaths which included the carrier pigeon, other animals, and books.
When Johnny had finished, Thomas guided him back down the aisle to stand at the door accepting handshakes and condolences. Kyle let the other mourners go before him, silently rehearsing his polite refusal of the parrot.<
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Callie and James also lingered in their chairs. Several of the photos featured Callie with May. One appeared to be a school recital of some sort, another a high school graduation. Callie eyed the entire display of pictures lovingly, sighing as if to signal her body it was time to go. She stood. Beatrice took the opportunity to speak with her. Beatrice introduced herself and expressed her gratitude for what May had done for Kyle.
“I wish I could tell Miz May what her generosity and ingenuity meant to me, and of course, what you did that night, also.”
Callie embraced the chance to talk about May.
“I’m enrolled for classes now at Bluegrass Community College. James and I have an apartment. May was happy for us, and I mean to make her proud of me. And my mom, too.”
“I am sure they are both proud of you, Callie,” Beatrice said.
“Our apartment is small, but we want to adopt Thomas, so we plan on being married soon,” Callie explained, reaching for James’ hand.
Beatrice drew James into the conversation, as her empathetic nature took over. Kyle took the chance to approach Johnny Mooney. Their conversation did not proceed as Kyle had intended. He wasn’t sure how it happened, but even from the afterlife May exerted influence.
“You gave the bird its name, Dr. Kyle. And May is certain Ace will only be happy with you,” Johnny explained.
“I merely suggested a name. I hardly think that constitutes naming him, and besides, what does that matter?”
“Quite a lot, sir. The bird now answers to Ace, and so far has bitten anyone that attempts to get near it. Thomas has a bit more luck. At least Ace allows Thomas to replenish the food and water dishes. If anyone else attempts that, the bird screams and will not let up.”
“But you think the bird will accept me? That seems an unfounded notion.”
“It’s May’s notion. Tell you what, we will go see Ace. If he behaves the same way, I will agree to let the Lexington zoo take the bird. But if Ace accepts you, will you agree he is yours? It was one of May’s final wishes. She wrote it in her papers, but she told me this herself, just before she passed on.”