| Romance Fiction posted January 2, 2020 | Chapters: |
...15 16 -17- 18... 
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Co-Authored with Bill Bishop (aka Commando)
A chapter in the book Love Long Distance
Strong Chain - Chapter 17
by Tootie
| Background The year is 1964. Bill is headed to war leaving his sweetheart, Cathy, behind. The novel begins with him boarding the train taking him from Tennessee to San Antonio, Texas, & continues from there. |
~Previously~
Afterwards, I cried myself to sleep, then had a disturbing dream of Bill jumping on a grenade and losing his life. I woke up in a cold sweat and screamed for help. While looking upward and clenching my fists, I shouted, "IS THIS A PREMONITION, GOD? YOU CAN'T LET THIS HAPPEN!" Suddenly, I felt a fluttering, soft as butterfly wings, right below my belly.
I'm not lollygagging around any longer. The time has come, and I'm going to tell Bill tomorrow...that I'm pregnant with our baby!
I'm not lollygagging around any longer. The time has come, and I'm going to tell Bill tomorrow...that I'm pregnant with our baby!
*******
Somewhere off in the swamp, I heard a wolf call for its mate. "Geez! It's only four o'clock in the morning," I said to myself as no one else was awake. The black clouds in the northern sky rolled and tumbled, causing the rays of light from the moon to dim even further. The stifling feeling intensified with every breath I took. I kicked, tossed, and tumbled; then memories momentarily comforted me.
"Welcome home, Billy! Golly, it's hard to believe that you are 23 already. Seems like only yesterday, when you were just a little guy, maybe 4 or 5, and I took you fishing for the first time. You were so small I had to bait your hook, then help you hold the pole; yet, when the fish swallowed the worm--we got it! Oh, my goodness! It was a whopper, too! I remember you saying, 'Grandpa, I did most of the catching, didn't I?' I was so proud of you, Billy...and I'm even prouder of you today. Please remember what I said here as you journey along the pathway to God."
I wish those great memories had continued, but, suddenly, another disturbing premonition flashed before my eyes.
I came home from Commando Training and saw Grandma standing by Grandpa's bed while talking to Doctor Smith. His face looked pale, and Grandma was crying her heart out! Putting his arm around her, the doctor said, "Grandpa's gone!"
Grandma cried even harder, then asked, "Where's Billy?"
"I'm sitting over here in Grandpa's chair. Papa's not dead; he's only taking a nap. Once he wakes up, we're going fishing in the old blue hole because he promised to take me."
"I'm sorry, Billy! He's with Jesus now!" The doctor said.
"Don't say that again! 'Cause I don't want to hear it."
We gave Grandpa a funeral, and so many came from all around. There were farmers in overalls, white shirts and black ties. Their wives wore pleated skirts, white blouses, and bonnets of many colors. Golly! I almost forgot. I counted seven poodles on leashes wearing red bows on their heads. Although it was a sad moment, I thought it was so funny because I always saw old hound dogs with floppy ears. Of course, "this old world has room for them all," Grandpa always said.
"Welcome home, Billy! Golly, it's hard to believe that you are 23 already. Seems like only yesterday, when you were just a little guy, maybe 4 or 5, and I took you fishing for the first time. You were so small I had to bait your hook, then help you hold the pole; yet, when the fish swallowed the worm--we got it! Oh, my goodness! It was a whopper, too! I remember you saying, 'Grandpa, I did most of the catching, didn't I?' I was so proud of you, Billy...and I'm even prouder of you today. Please remember what I said here as you journey along the pathway to God."
I wish those great memories had continued, but, suddenly, another disturbing premonition flashed before my eyes.
I came home from Commando Training and saw Grandma standing by Grandpa's bed while talking to Doctor Smith. His face looked pale, and Grandma was crying her heart out! Putting his arm around her, the doctor said, "Grandpa's gone!"
Grandma cried even harder, then asked, "Where's Billy?"
"I'm sitting over here in Grandpa's chair. Papa's not dead; he's only taking a nap. Once he wakes up, we're going fishing in the old blue hole because he promised to take me."
"I'm sorry, Billy! He's with Jesus now!" The doctor said.
"Don't say that again! 'Cause I don't want to hear it."
We gave Grandpa a funeral, and so many came from all around. There were farmers in overalls, white shirts and black ties. Their wives wore pleated skirts, white blouses, and bonnets of many colors. Golly! I almost forgot. I counted seven poodles on leashes wearing red bows on their heads. Although it was a sad moment, I thought it was so funny because I always saw old hound dogs with floppy ears. Of course, "this old world has room for them all," Grandpa always said.
*******
"Shame on you, Bill! Sleeping in, huh? Are you aware that you were having a nightmare? What is wrong with you, Commando?"
"It wasn't a nightmare--it was a premonition of my grandpa dying."
"Sweet Jesus! You're having too many of those these days. I'm scheduling you an appointment with our psychiatrist. Of course, after talking with you, he'll probably need counseling as well. But, as for now, get your heroes herded up, go into the swamp, then kick ass! Oh, did I mention, that's not a 'premonition'--it's an order!"
"You just did, Sir!"
The Lieutenant's order was crystal clear. Two of my basic senses were working great--my sight and hearing. As I walked along the bunks where my fellow commandos were sleeping, I felt pride jump inside my heart. Nary a one of them would hesitate to give up their life for me, nor I for them. We're brothers, joined-at-the-hip by "STRONG CHAIN...AND I THANK GOD FOR HIS GIFT."
"What's a 'matter, boy scouts? Waiting for mamma to serve you breakfast in bed? On your feet, Commandos; wash your tails, and whatever else smells, then let's eat! During our meal, I'll brief you on our training procedures for today. From this moment on...and until we return here tonight, we must--at all cost, speak and act so as to make it appear that something is real--when in fact it is not. The Senior Commandos here will play the 'pretending role' of the Vietnamese guerrillas in the swamps of Vietnam. The ammunition in our guns and explosives in the grenades will be removed; however, the caps will remain to 'pop and smoke!' The bottom line, 'to successfully complete our training, then earn the recognition of excellence in 'theatrics' from our Commandant...we got to know when to hold them; yet, when to fold them, too!'"
*******
Rat-a-tat-tat! We fired our guns until the barrels were hot; but the guerrillas kept a 'coming! Kaboom! We tossed our grenades, and some ran away; while others laid bleeding, appearing dead on the ground.
"Dear, God! Will we ever stop killing one another, and live in peace with our brothers and sisters?" I yelled. "That's it, Commandos! Safe your weapons and let's go home."
As we walked back to our grass shack, I felt sad and all alone. Of course, it all came with the package; It was as though I was taking two steps forward, then sliding back three. Aww, I'll be alright, because I'll call Cathy tomorrow and share my innermost feelings with her. I'll tell her:
"If I could, I would catch shooting stars right from the heavens so that you could gaze upon them every day. I would make a bouquet of a hundred dandelion heads so that you may have a thousand wishes. I would spin gold and moonlight to give you starry wings.
I would gather wildflowers from a meadow to make you dainty crowns. I would ask the wind to whisper my love until the day it blew to you. I would make the world stop spinning just so you could watch the sunset for one moment longer. I would ask the sea to try and match the color of your eyes so that you may look upon the water and smile, then laugh.
I would tell the world to draw me a map so that I could find my way back to you. So maybe one day when you hear what the wind has murmured, you will look upon your wings and see your flower crown, and you will find your way back to me. So that maybe one day I can hold you again in my arms and whisper the words myself...I Love you...Yes, SOMEDAY!"
"Goodnight, Commandos! It's going to be a long day tomorrow."
I was dog tired as I lay my head down to sleep, hoping for continued happier thoughts, and no more premonitions!
"Dear, God! Will we ever stop killing one another, and live in peace with our brothers and sisters?" I yelled. "That's it, Commandos! Safe your weapons and let's go home."
As we walked back to our grass shack, I felt sad and all alone. Of course, it all came with the package; It was as though I was taking two steps forward, then sliding back three. Aww, I'll be alright, because I'll call Cathy tomorrow and share my innermost feelings with her. I'll tell her:
"If I could, I would catch shooting stars right from the heavens so that you could gaze upon them every day. I would make a bouquet of a hundred dandelion heads so that you may have a thousand wishes. I would spin gold and moonlight to give you starry wings.
I would gather wildflowers from a meadow to make you dainty crowns. I would ask the wind to whisper my love until the day it blew to you. I would make the world stop spinning just so you could watch the sunset for one moment longer. I would ask the sea to try and match the color of your eyes so that you may look upon the water and smile, then laugh.
I would tell the world to draw me a map so that I could find my way back to you. So maybe one day when you hear what the wind has murmured, you will look upon your wings and see your flower crown, and you will find your way back to me. So that maybe one day I can hold you again in my arms and whisper the words myself...I Love you...Yes, SOMEDAY!"
"Goodnight, Commandos! It's going to be a long day tomorrow."
I was dog tired as I lay my head down to sleep, hoping for continued happier thoughts, and no more premonitions!
*******
My sleep was disruptive throughout the night. I kept thinking of Bill and worrying about his safety. I dreamed of a gigantic bomb exploding, annihilating us all, like the Lyndon Johnson ad for re-election that I had seen on television. At some point, I must've fallen into a deep sleep because next thing I knew, the warmth of the sunlight was shining on my face. When I opened my eyes and looked at the alarm clock beside my bed, I couldn't believe it was almost 10 a.m. I immediately jumped out of bed which made me a bit dizzy, most likely because of my condition. I gathered my bearings and hurried to the kitchen. Grandma always had breakfast on the table for us by now. Why didn't they come and wake me up?
When I got there, I was surprised that it appeared Grandma and Grandpa hadn't eaten yet. The hickory smell of fresh coffee and the sweet aroma of Grandma's griddle cakes were nowhere in the air. They didn't tell me they were going anywhere; something must be wrong.
"Grandma? Grandpa? Where are you?" I yelled out.
"In here," Grandma answered. She was calling from their bedroom. I headed in that direction, and when I got to the doorway, my eyes didn't want to believe what they were seeing. Grandpa was on the feather bed, a quilt tucked up to his chin, and lying so very still. He looked pale and wasn't talking. That was so unlike him, because he always had a lot to say, even when he was tired.
"I think he's had a heart attack. He's barely breathing," Grandma told me. I could see tears on her cheeks that she quickly wiped away with a handkerchief. She was a strong woman, so I knew she was trying to stay brave. "I've already called the doctor and he's a 'comin'. There ain't nothing we can do right now, but keep a watch over him and pray."
Right that moment, I ran to his side and dropped to my knees. I held onto Grandpa's cold hand and cried, "GOD, PLEASE...."
Just then, the doctor arrived, checked his vitals, turned to Grandma and said, "I'm sorry, ma'am, his prognosis looks grim. Of course, I'll do everything I can."
"What can we do to help, Doctor?" Grandma asked.
"Join hands and ask God for a miracle!" the doctor replied.
When I got there, I was surprised that it appeared Grandma and Grandpa hadn't eaten yet. The hickory smell of fresh coffee and the sweet aroma of Grandma's griddle cakes were nowhere in the air. They didn't tell me they were going anywhere; something must be wrong.
"Grandma? Grandpa? Where are you?" I yelled out.
"In here," Grandma answered. She was calling from their bedroom. I headed in that direction, and when I got to the doorway, my eyes didn't want to believe what they were seeing. Grandpa was on the feather bed, a quilt tucked up to his chin, and lying so very still. He looked pale and wasn't talking. That was so unlike him, because he always had a lot to say, even when he was tired.
"I think he's had a heart attack. He's barely breathing," Grandma told me. I could see tears on her cheeks that she quickly wiped away with a handkerchief. She was a strong woman, so I knew she was trying to stay brave. "I've already called the doctor and he's a 'comin'. There ain't nothing we can do right now, but keep a watch over him and pray."
Right that moment, I ran to his side and dropped to my knees. I held onto Grandpa's cold hand and cried, "GOD, PLEASE...."
Just then, the doctor arrived, checked his vitals, turned to Grandma and said, "I'm sorry, ma'am, his prognosis looks grim. Of course, I'll do everything I can."
"What can we do to help, Doctor?" Grandma asked.
"Join hands and ask God for a miracle!" the doctor replied.
*******
There...we've done it again--we've left you hangin'!
Now you gotta come on back to find out what's happened to Grandpa.
Stay tuned...Chapter 18 is just around the corner!
We thank you all for reading our work
and for your continued support.
Happy New Year & God Bless,
Bill (Commando) & Cathy (Tootie)
There...we've done it again--we've left you hangin'!
Now you gotta come on back to find out what's happened to Grandpa.
Stay tuned...Chapter 18 is just around the corner!
We thank you all for reading our work
and for your continued support.
Happy New Year & God Bless,
Bill (Commando) & Cathy (Tootie)
 Recognized |
Co-authored by Bill Bishop (aka Commando) and Cathy Waldron (aka Tootie).
If you haven't read the previous chapters, we encourage you to do so. We are posting each chapter as we complete it and plan to finish and publish this novel early next year. As always, any comments/suggestions are appreciated. Thank you so much for reading along and for your support.
Respectfully,
Bill & Cathy
*** Because of the full justified formatting in most of this chapter, you may see what appears as extra spacing in places. Full justification is the way the majority of novels are formatted. ***
References:
Dandelions -
The children's book "Dandelion" written by Don Freeman was published in 1964. Although not about a flower dandelion, it is a cute story and worth referencing. Don Freeman is also the author of "Corduroy" and many other children's books.
Now to reference the flower dandelion, here's the poem, "The Dandelion" by American Poet Vachel Lindsay (November 10, 1879 - December 5, 1931).
Controversial Lyndon Johnson campaign advertisement (1964) -
Pays
one point
and 2 member cents. If you haven't read the previous chapters, we encourage you to do so. We are posting each chapter as we complete it and plan to finish and publish this novel early next year. As always, any comments/suggestions are appreciated. Thank you so much for reading along and for your support.
Respectfully,
Bill & Cathy
*** Because of the full justified formatting in most of this chapter, you may see what appears as extra spacing in places. Full justification is the way the majority of novels are formatted. ***
References:
Dandelions -
The children's book "Dandelion" written by Don Freeman was published in 1964. Although not about a flower dandelion, it is a cute story and worth referencing. Don Freeman is also the author of "Corduroy" and many other children's books.
Now to reference the flower dandelion, here's the poem, "The Dandelion" by American Poet Vachel Lindsay (November 10, 1879 - December 5, 1931).
Controversial Lyndon Johnson campaign advertisement (1964) -
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