Blemished Harvest

Blemished Harvest

by

Dan Weatherington

Copyright 2011@Dan Weatherington

A Personal Message from the author:

I love to write books and I love to hear from my readers. If you enjoy this book or any of my other books, it would mean so much to me if you would click on http://www.danweatherington.com and send me a short email, introduce yourself and say hello. I will always respond to you and value your thoughts. I hope you enjoy the book.

Other books by Dan Weatherington:

BRANDYWINE BAY

BLEMISHED HARVEST

THE SEVENTH GIFT OF GOD

RECOGNIZING PRINCE HALL

WILLIE – THE STORY OF AN AUTISTIC CHILD

THE THRILL SEEKERS

THE THRILL SEEKERS II – MATTOX IS MISSING

KILLING MARTIN LUTHER

THE PRIEST AND THE PARSON

LOAN MAN

KILLING OSAMA BIN LADEN

THE VAMPIRE VASQUEZ

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Blemished Harvest

Chapter I Hawaii

What would you say if we just didn't go?

Fine with me, but think about what you'd be doing.

Forcing the inevitable, I said. If I fall or stumble or slur a word the vultures will attack. What does it matter if they fire me today or next month? It's still coming.

Are you so anxious to go back? she asked as she stepped back into the bath. Again I heard the water run and she returned with a towel in her hand.

No, I said, I remember how it was. I don't want to go back, but I'm being realistic. Keele, Grant and Flythe doesn't want a cripple for a vice-president.

You don't know for sure you're a cripple, besides, I don't like that term.

Damn it, Karen, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's a damn duck. . . . They're going to fire me and there's not one thing I can do about it.

David, give it a chance. In a couple of hours we'll be on the plane. You've always wanted to see Hawaii. When we get there, you'll see your friends and won't think about this.

Yes I will, but I know what you're trying to say. Maybe you're right. Maybe there's nothing to it. I . . . I just don't know. I was awake most of the night.

I know. I heard you thumping around in the den, but most people would sell their souls to go to Hawaii.

Hawaii, Virgin Islands, Batcrap Montana, what difference does it make? Every one of these meetings is the same, cocktail party, speech by a TV star, and three mornings of `we didn't do it last year, boys, but we'll do it this year'. Besides, most people don't worry every time they take a step . . . they're not afraid of falling down in front of the vultures.

I know . . . I understand, but they can give you some pills and, she raised her hands toward the ceiling, you'll be the same as you were before . . . an asshole. She tried to hold back a laugh.

There are no pills for M.S. and I’m not an asshole.

When we get there, you'll see your friends. You only see them twice a year, so just enjoy it.

Friends? Huh, most of them would cut your throat just to see the blood gush.

Not all of them. You'll get to see Harry Fisk and his wife. You'll see Brendle Forbes and his wife . . . Karen leaned on the edge of the bed with a pensive look. What is her name, I can never remember it?

Yea, Brendle's okay. Yea, I wouldn't mind seeing him. You know he's got the faith now, don't you?

What do you mean? asked Karen.

Oh, he's gone a holy roller, the whole banana.

I thought he was a closet flower child?

I started to chuckle. Yea, he was. Wingtips by day, sandals by night . . . I won't ever forget when he came into that meeting and dropped a flower on Silkman's lap. It was so funny. I thought about it and blurted out laughing. Everyone was wearing suits except him. He was wearing faded jeans and love beads. It was so funny. Yea, I talk to him almost every day, but I still wouldn't mind seeing him.

See, what did I tell you? It's not all bad. And don't forget, you'll see Norman and Mr. Silkman and . . .

Norman's okay. I think the world of him, but Don Silkman, well . . . , that's another thing. Besides, why does it have to be in Hawaii? Why not this side of the earth . . . ? If I've got to fake it for a week, I'd rather be on this part of the planet. There's nothing in Hawaii but . . . well . . . Hawaiians. Besides, what does it matter? It'll all be over soon anyhow.

The company knows what you've done. She put her arms around me and pulled me tight against her. Don't worry about it, she said softly. Even if the worst comes, I'll love you. And, if it doesn't . . . well, then there's nothing to worry about.

As I drove down the hill, I saw the reflection of the large white mansion in the mirror. I sensed something in my throat. The house had brought us so much joy. It had become such an important part of our lives. It would soon be just another entry on some bank’s ledger of bad loans. I don't want to lose this place, Karen. Losing Cedar Oaks would be the worst part of this entire nightmare.

You're not going to lose Cedar Oaks or anything else. Even if they do kick you out, we've got enough to keep us going. But, please, David . . . , don't get back on that subject. She began to laugh.

What’s so funny? I asked.

Just listen to yourself. You used to worry about having enough money to buy beans, and now you're worried about a mansion. Once we couldn't afford a house, now we own twenty of them.

Twenty-three, and you’re right. I am being selfish, aren’t I?

Very selfish, Mr. Logan, don't forget where we've been, old boy.

I tried to laugh along with Karen, but I was serious about Cedar Oaks. The mobile home business had been very good to me and I knew that someday it would end. Cedar Oaks was to be our perpetual reward. Yes, I expected it to end, but certainly not this way.

Karen closed her eyes and was asleep before we entered the highway from Courtney to Rocky Mount. I looked at the peaceful expression on her face. We've got a rough road ahead of us, little girl. I don't know how rough, but it won't be pleasant, I thought.

Change was nothing new for us. We had gone through it before, but until now, most of the changes were for the better.

In high school we were the perfect couple. Our paths seemed golden. I thought our success would be instant, but it wasn't. We had to wait.

For years, we barely scraped by, but as my income grew, we improved our lives. We were finally able to move from a rented second story apartment in midtown Courtney to the exclusive west side. We began investing a few dollars into the future. I was so proud of my wife, and my job, and my home.

We had even discussed opening a mortgage company of our own. Yet, now I was thirty-nine, and it looked like we would lose everything. Soon the security we so dearly cherished would be gone.

I knew what was going to happen. The company image was inflexible. Corporate officers were white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant, and healthy. Cripples and other visual misfits need not apply. When the company, especially Don Silkman, discovers that I don’t fit the accepted image, a reason to replace me would suddenly appear. I had seen it happen. It would be quiet. It would be subtle. Except this time it would be different. This time, I would be the poor wretch receiving the injustice.

I don't know why, but I kept remembering the words of one of my high school teachers, Prepare for the worst and thank God when it doesn't happen. In the past these words seemed irrelevant, almost a joke, but now the words had meaning. What would be the worst? They would fire me. Simple enough, we had investments. Most of our rental property was heavily mortgaged, but it was paying its own way with a small income left over. What else was there to do? How do you prepare to have your life changed? How do you prepare to become a fitting and proper cripple?

Karen didn't wake until we arrived at the airport. She looked at her watch. Whew, we're going to be cutting it close. Let me check-in and you head for the gate . . . 4-A, I believe.

When I arrived at the gate, she was already there. How long will we be on this thing? she asked.

About six hours, I think.

David, are you serious? Six hours on that plane?

No, two hours on this one and then we change in Dallas. You should have looked at the map. I wasn't kidding when I said Hawaii was halfway around the world.

It's not halfway.

Maybe not halfway, but it's a long way.

Like a county fair that each year claims to be bigger and better, Keele, Grant & Flythe contrived every company meeting to outdo the last. Everything had to be more extravagant and more impressive. They always held the meetings in lavish resort areas like the Virgin Islands, Palm Beach, St. Thomas and now, Hawaii.

The accommodations were always first class, with the best rooms and the finest food. Sunset cruises, side trips to the surrounding area, theater tickets and golf were scheduled. Just enough meeting was thrown in to make the entire event tax deductible.

Nine hours and thousands of miles later, we got our first glimpse of the Hawaiian Islands. It was spring and the sight of the island was stunning. At first, it was only a green pebble in an immensity of blue, but as the plane came closer, the outline of Diamond Head and Waikiki became clear. The sights that I had seen on television and in the movies suddenly became real, almost as real as my apprehension about the events to come.

To most people, spring means a beginning, a revival, but to me it meant another spring meeting of Keele, Grant & Flythe Funding Corporation. I had promised Karen that I would try to enjoy the next few days, but the feeling that I had rather been anywhere else shadowed my every thought.

As the plane touched down, Karen touched my hair and turned my face toward hers. My discomfort must have been more obvious than I thought. What's wrong? She asked.

Oh nothing, I'm just tired. I was lying. I had lost the feeling in my legs over an hour before.

Don't lie to me. You’re thinking about the hospital. Try to forget all about it.

No, seriously, I'm just tired. We've been on this plane forever.

I know, but are you sure that's all?

Look Karen, if there was anything else I'd tell you. I'm just tired.

The plane stopped at the gate and the passengers jumped to their feet. They scrambled for their luggage and the things they had carried on the flight, everyone except me. I tried to jiggle my legs to bring back the feeling. It did do some good.

As Karen was going through the overhead compartment, she noticed that I had not tried to stand. She looked at me. You had better hurry.

What's the rush? We don't need to be trampled by the others.

David, this is first class, there are no 'others'. Then she gave me a long look. There is something else wrong, isn't there?

If I'm going to put on an act, I Thought, This is the place to start.

Karen, I'm just trying to give the others a chance to get off. I was tense. I could feel it.

You can't stand up can you? She asked.

I didn't try to hide my irritability. God, I hate to be caught in a lie. Sure I can. It's just that I'm tired from riding half way around the world. Go ahead and do whatever you have to.

Aren't we irritable? she asked. Would it help if I got you a wheelchair?

Oh, good God, Karen. I'm okay. I stood up. Karen smiled, whatever you say, Logan, but you look a little wobbly to me. I don't see why you won't let me ask for a wheelchair. I'm sure they won't mind.

I could hear my voice tremble. I'm sure they wouldn't. I'm sure they'd be delighted . . . It's me who'll mind. That's the last thing in the world I need . . . , to be rolled into the airport in a wheelchair. It wouldn't be two minutes before the vultures attack. I don't want a wheelchair. I held onto the back of a seat and stepped forward. See. There’s no problem. I made a motion toward the door. My left leg began its' spastic jerk. Karen didn't see it. Now let's go. Hawaii is waiting. I picked up her purse.

As I neared the door, I tripped. Although I caught myself on the corner of a seat, Karen's purse hit the floor and burst open. She said nothing and bent down to pick up the contents of her bag.

I was embarrassed. I could feel the blood in my face as I stooped down to help her, sorry about that, I don't know what happened.

She held up her hand to stop me, don't worry about it, I'll get this stuff. You just wait for me inside.

By the time she got inside the terminal, I was speaking to a man holding a sign that said Logan. He looked at Karen and smiled, Mrs. Logan? She nodded. My name is Lamoni Kaani and, as I was telling Mr. Logan, I'll be your driver while you are in the islands. Please, call me Kap. Now, if you'll just give me your tickets I'll get your luggage. The car is parked out front and I'll join you there in just a few minutes.

We followed Kap's directions and found a black limousine parked in the No Parking zone. Although the tow trucks were in full force, they didn't seem to notice the limo.

Kap returned and put the suitcases in the trunk. As he got in, I asked him why him the police didn't tow his car. Oh, they see the limo and they know it's waiting for a primo, an important Howie. Besides, my cousin is the cop. We all laughed and drove away.

The ride from the Honolulu airport to Waikiki impressed me. I guess I had become accustomed to luxuriant treatment but I didn't expect a private limousine and driver.

Hey, I'm overwhelmed, I said to Karen. I know the company likes to put on the dog, but this is a bit much.

What's the big deal? she said. You've ridden in a limo before. They have one for you at every meeting.

Yea, I know. But, we've always had to share the ride with some of the others. We've never had a limo and driver just for us.

Oh well, whatever impresses you. They're trying to make you feel special so you'll make more money for the company. Next week you'll be back to two kids, a mortgage and driving your own Buick.

True, but I guess you were right, there are plenty of people who would give anything for a trip to this place.

Karen became quiet and stared out the window. I saw a tear under her eye.

Kitten, I know what's worrying you, I said, it's that fall I took on the plane. It was nothing. I was just tired from the flight and . . . and . . . , I smiled, we must have hit an air pocket . . It wasn't anything to worry about. Besides, don't mention it while we're around these people.

David, planes don't hit air pockets when they're on the ground. Karen looked upward in disgust. You can see one of the local doctors . . .

Forget it. I'm serious. We don't tell anyone anything. I don't understand how you can be so naive. These people are here because they're at the top of the company. Do you think they got to the top by kind compassion? Hell no. They exploited every flaw in their competition. These people enjoy stepping over corpses.

David, you're here too. How many corpses did you step over? She didn't know it but she had struck a nerve. I turned and looked out the window.

Besides, she said, they are your best friends.

You're right. They are my best friends . . . and dynamite is a wonderful invention, but you don't strike matches around it either.

What makes you so paranoid?

Years of observation. Nothing could give this crowd more pleasure than to crucify a vice-president and I'll be damned if I'm going to supply the nails.

Kap stopped the car in front of a hotel. Bellmen and others swarmed over the car grabbing luggage, giving us flowers and doing everything you would expect . . . for an Arab sheik. This is your hotel, said Kap, the finest on Waikiki. Nice place, you'll enjoy. You already checked in, just go up.

Kap was right, the hotel was lavish and the suites were complete with a private balcony, huge bedrooms with super king-size beds, personal bathrobes, private bar and a bathroom as large as a small gymnasium. I asked Karen to fix us a drink.

We don't drink.

We drink sodas.

Just lay down. I'm sure you need a nap after the trip.

I gave her a sexy smile.

No, she said, I'm talking about a nap, not what you're thinking about. Besides, you had your chance before we left home. I continued to smile. Forget it. Take a nap. We're supposed to go to a luau at six. If you don't take a nap now, you'll be tired and fall all over the place. Now I mean it, David, take a nap . . . , now.

Am I just being perceptive or are you saying no? I asked.

She turned off the light. I could hear her mutter, "ten thousand miles