Chapter 4, Episode 8 - Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

January 1999

This series of posts on each Friday, henceforth, moving forward during 2015 will continue the stories of “The Homeplace Saga” series of family saga, historical fiction families in the area of Oak Springs following the novel “Christmas at the Homeplace,” which ended as 1997 began. Earlier, we have seen the community move from January 1997 through December 1998. We now move into January of 1999, in novel format…

Chapter 4 - Christopher; Episode 8

[From the end of Episode 7:

He had said his name was Bruce Randolph, and he was calling about the McDonald Conservancy. He would not leave a number to return a call. She said the man seemed anxious, but, still didn’t want to leave any message. Christopher wrote the name down as they talked. He didn’t recognize it either. ]

Christopher realized it was getting late in the afternoon, this Randolph fellow may have simply knew he wouldn’t be at his phone to receive a return call, even minutes later. Perhaps it would be best to just wait until morning, to see if Randolph called again. But, it was frustrating not to recognize a caller. That foreboding feeling was returning, Christopher could feel it, as he slowly hung up the phone on his back credenza, and turned back to his bare desk top. An old saying his mother used to say came back to him, “Bad things come in threes!” There were those in the family who would believe that Beverly returning to Oak Springs was bad. Getting a mysterious call, late in the afternoon of a cold January day certainly might qualify as a bad thing; pending more information. If that turned out to be true, what would the third bad thing be?

He shook his head, trying to get these negative thoughts out of his mind. Christopher stood up, and decided to go ask Don if he recognized the Bruce Randolph name. Don Kirk had done a lot of the early work on the McDonald Conservancy, and Christopher thought he might recognize the name even if he didn’t himself. Down the hall, in his office, Don said it had no meaning to him. He suggested, with a smile, that Christopher ‘call it a day’ and let tomorrow bring the answer, or not. Christopher waved off that suggestion, trying to return the smile, and walked next door to Brian’s office. Brian was packing his brief case to leave for the day.

When Christopher asked Brian if he knew a Bruce Randolph, and told him about the call, Brian just closed his brief case and said, “He’ll call back tomorrow. Don’t worry yourself about it!”

Christopher replied, “Thanks bunches, bother-in-law. You are a big help.”

“Just trying.” Brian replied, “And, it is my night to pick up Ashley from day-care, so I am out of here. That Randolph guy will call back in the morning, you can count on that!” With that, Brian was on his way, leaving Christopher to stew in his own juices.

Christopher walked back to his office and called Paul Gates at the Mill. Paul picked up on the second ring. “Two brief things, Paul,” Christopher said, after their opening greetings. “First, had you heard that Beverly is back in town?”

“No, I had not, but I knew she wouldn’t stay away long with our grand-daughter here.” Christopher could hear the smile in Paul’s voice.

“Second-hand, I also heard that Jaxine said Beverly was back to stay, permanently. Do you know anything about that?”

There was a very brief pause. Then Paul replied, speaking slower, this time, “No, that is news. But, if it came from Jaxine, that is pretty good authority. I’m fairly sure Beverly would have known what she was doing if she said that with Jaxine present. Beverly likes to use people that way. And, of course, it worked. We all are finding out she is in town without her needing to even contact anyone. She hasn’t change at bit, on that one. Thanks for the information. I’ll just wait for the next shoe to drop, so to speak.”

“While you are waiting for that shoe to drop, let me ask you the second thing. Have you ever heard of a Bruce Randolph?”

“No,” Paul answered, “That is not a familiar name, to me. Where did you get it?”

“He called earlier, saying it was about the McDonald Conservancy,” Christopher said, slowly, recalling the situation, “but wouldn’t leave a number for me to call back. The name did not ring a bell with me, or with Don. Just thought you might have heard it. Guess we wait to see if he calls back tomorrow.”

“If it is important, I’m sure he’ll call back. Thanks, again, for the news about Beverly!”

They closed their conversation and Christopher continued to stare at the wall of his office, seeing nothing. “Who is Bruce Randolph?” kept buzzing in his head. He didn’t like unknown situations. He didn’t like not being in control of his situation. Hopefully the answers would come, tomorrow.

[To be continued - next Friday]

"May everyone have a homeplace, if only in your mind."

Dr. Bill  ;-)

Chapter 4, Episode 7 - Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

January 1999

This series of posts on each Friday, henceforth, moving forward during 2015 will continue the stories of “The Homeplace Saga” series of family saga, historical fiction families in the area of Oak Springs following the novel “Christmas at the Homeplace,” which ended as 1997 began. Earlier, we have seen the community move from January 1997 through December 1998. We now move into January of 1999, in novel format…

Chapter 4 - Christopher; Episode 7

Usually a very positive person, attorney Christopher Ogden paced back and forth across his office this late afternoon, unable to shake off the foreboding feelings surrounding him this cold January day. Often, he found, getting up and walking back and forth was helpful to clear his mind. It wasn’t working, today, however. He had already made a trip to the restroom, gotten a drink of water, and walked into the law library and back. Those hadn’t worked either.

From the water fountain, he had noticed Edith Brown at her desk, talking quietly with an elderly couple. They were vaguely familiar to Christopher, but he couldn’t recall their names off the top of his head. He was so pleased that they had created the new position for Edith. She had been secretary to his father, Carter Ogden, for all those many years that Christopher had been growing up, and many years before that, as well.  She possessed a wealth of legacy knowledge of local history, as well as the law firm, and was totally dedicated to her work in the law offices. Don had suggested her new role, and Christopher and Brian were pleased that she accepted it.

In reorganizing the office staff following his father’s death, a little over two years earlier, they made several changes that seemed small at the time but had each paid dividends in their work lives since. Among them was ‘updating’ titles from secretary to administrative assistant, for example, that other firms had done over the past decade or more. As part of that process, they had made Edith an Executive Assistant. Christopher’s ‘secretary,’ Joan, had become an Administrative Assistant, for example.

Edith’s new role was to proactively interact with the older clients of the firm. As Carter’s secretary, she knew them all well, from meeting and greeting them over the years. You don’t normally see law firm clients every year. Among her responsibilities was to see that each former client was invited to come in to talk to her, to update their family and business situation, at no cost to them. If their conversation suggested legal work might be appropriate, they would then meet with one of the attorneys. While Don was older, he had still only been with the firm for about 12 years. Christopher was in his fifth year, and Brian was in his third. Many firms hired a new attorney to handle this type of business, to keep new business coming in. Christopher thought Don’s recommendation was genius, in this distinctive case. Local people found they enjoyed coming to visit with Edith. Edith enjoyed meeting with them, and she recorded the new information she obtained in the records of the firm, meticulously. They were pleasantly surprised at how much new business this activity generated. It certainly more than paid the cost of her doing it by a large margin.

In the few months Christopher was able to spend with his father after they learned that he was terminally ill, there were a number of things Carter had suggested that Christopher do, when he had the time, that would be useful to him at some point in the future. Thinking about Edith just now, Christopher was reminded there were a couple of things on that list Carter had suggested that they had not yet done, because no specific reason had come up to do it. One of them was for Christopher and Edith to go over to the bank storage area to familiarize Christopher with what records were there, and how they were organized. The records there went back to near the start of the century. Carter had said ‘you never know’ when you will need something critically useful from the past. A visit ahead of time would save precious time, later, when that critical need arose. No ‘critical need’ had arisen yet, so he still had time to do it, he reminded himself. He walked over to his desk to write down a reminder.

A moment later, his phone rang. It was Jennifer....

During their conversation, Jennifer told Christopher about the William McDonald journal Sarah had found and did mention to Christopher the information Diane had shared about their aunt Beverly being back in town, to stay, per that conversation. Christopher thanked Jennifer for the information, adding that he had not heard about Beverly yet, himself. As he was hanging up the phone, Christopher thought about how well all of the members of the extended family shared important family and family business information with each other. He recalled his father mentioning that Jason, Karen’s husband, had been a big advocate of this in the early days of the Bevins Trust. The practice had continued, down through the years. Christopher felt this was one small contributor to the success the Bevins family had achieved over those years.

Joan buzzed him before Christopher could turn away from the phone. She said that while he was talking to Jennifer that he had had a call from someone she didn’t recognize. She said the man didn’t want to wait, and, he refused to have her interrupt Christopher’s conversation. He had said his name was Bruce Randolph, and he was calling about the McDonald Conservancy. He would not leave a number to return a call. She said the man seemed anxious, but, still didn’t want to leave any message. Christopher wrote the name down as they talked. He didn’t recognize it either.

[To be continued - next Friday]

"May everyone have a homeplace, if only in your mind."

Dr. Bill  ;-)

Chapter 3, Episode 6 - Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

January 1999

This series of posts on each Friday, henceforth, moving forward during 2015 will continue the stories of “The Homeplace Saga” series of family saga, historical fiction families in the area of Oak Springs following the novel “Christmas at the Homeplace,” which ended as 1997 began. Earlier, we have seen the community move from January 1997 through December 1998. We now move into January of 1999, in novel format…

Chapter 3 - Jennifer; Episode 6

[From the end of Episode 5:

Jennifer turned and walked out the door, to return to her nearby office.]

It was a cool, crispy day in this Ozarks valley; temperature was about 40 degrees. Walking briskly, Jennifer hardly noticed the chill in the air. She was already thinking ahead to a couple of phone calls she needed to make before she returned to the clinic work that needed done. There were no animals requiring her attention, at the moment, but the paperwork was calling to her. He smiled, thinking about ‘paperwork calling...’

First, she returned a call to Sarah (Campbell) Flanders, the new President of the Oak Springs Historical and Genealogical Society for the 1999 year. The Society was starting its third year, and things seemed to be going well. Sarah, the very conscientious wife of Bank President, Harry Flanders, seemed to continue to need reassurance that she was doing her volunteer role very well.

Jennifer answered a couple of specific questions Sarah asked. With the experience Jennifer had in a leadership position in the Society from the beginning, they were easy questions to answer. However, she appreciated that Sarah exhibited enough concern for her job to actually ask the questions. She smiled, as they continued their conversation.

Momentarily, the subject of the conversation took an unexpected turn. Harry had brought home a box of books and papers he said he had found at the bank, when they were moving some materials in the far back corner of the vault. He said he never recalled seeing the box before, but it appeared to have belonged to Sarah’s father, Theodore Campbell, president of the bank before Harry. Theodore had begun working in the bank, with his father, Vic, in the 1920s.

“I had just opened it a few minutes before you called,” Sarah continued. “One of the books I pulled out appears to be a journal written by your ancestor, William McDonald. I’ve not looked at it at all yet, but I’m sure your family will find it very interesting.”

“Of course,” Jennifer said, “that is a great find. Take good care of it and we’ll take a look at it first chance we get. Thank you for mentioning it. What a find!”

“I was sure you’d feel that way. It could have valuable family and community information, and we weren’t even looking for it.”

“It will be interesting to see if you find other similar material from other families in that box, even your own, perhaps.”

Sarah seemed to pause, “I hadn’t thought about it that way. I think I’ll go get back to that box and check out the rest of the stuff in there. Thanks for the reminder.”

“Great. I’m very anxious to see William’s journal. Perhaps I’ll stop by your house later and pick it up.” Jennifer began to show a little anxiety in her voice.

“Please do that. I’ll be here. I’ll talk to you then.”

Jennifer next called Brian, to assure that he would be picking up Ashley from day care.

She next called Christopher. Jennifer didn’t want to delay in being sure that Christopher knew that Beverly was back in town. Now, it was also important that he know about the William McDonald diary. As she made the call, she recalled in her mind, that William McDonald was her 2nd great-grandfather: Bart > Margaret > Joseph >William.

[To be continued - next Friday]

"May everyone have a homeplace, if only in your mind."

Dr. Bill  ;-)

Chapter 3, Episode 5: Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

January 1999

This series of posts on each Friday, henceforth, moving forward during 2015 will continue the stories of “The Homeplace Saga” series of family saga, historical fiction families in the area of Oak Springs following the novel “Christmas at the Homeplace,” which ended as 1997 began. Earlier, we have seen the community move from January 1997 through December 1998. We now move into January of 1999, in novel format…

Chapter 3 - Jennifer; Episode 5

As she walked into the horse barn, Diane saw that both Jennifer and Heather were standing by the birthing stall. When they had expanded this horse barn, they had built in two birthing stalls for use this time of year. Over the next few months, a number of mares would be giving birth as part of the ongoing breeding programs at the Stables. Birthing stalls were double-wide to allow the mare, while in later stages of pregnancy, to have more maneuvering room, and after the birth of the foal, to have room for each of them for a time. When not in use for birthing, a temporary wall could be inserted to make it two stalls.

Heather’s first Palomino mare, Sunshine, appeared to be within days of giving birth. This would be her third consecutive pregnancy. Sunshine had been the first bred, last year, as part of Heather’s FFA Project for her senior year of high school and now that part of the program was coming to fruition. 

Diane asked Heather if she knew that her mother, Beverly, was in town. Heather replied that she did not know, but that she was not surprised. She was confident her mother wouldn’t be able to stay away very long with baby Faith so young and growing so fast. When Diane mentioned that Beverly had said she planned to stay, permanently, Heather was surprised.

“She certainly had not mentioned that. Where did you hear this?”

“Well,” Diane continued, “Karen called Bart, while we were on break in the house. Lori’s friend, Jaxine, out at the Motel, had called her saying that Beverly was very specific in stating that, as she was checking in, she was here to live in Oak Springs, permanently. Jaxine is very good at ‘spreading the word,’ as you know.” While Jaxine had developed a bit of a reputation as a ‘gossip,’ she was also well known to be nearly one hundred percent accurate, because of where she worked and the people in the community with whom she was close. In fact, some folks had been known to intentionally tell her something interesting to see how fast the word spread. Is it ‘gossip’ when it is true?

“It would certainly be wonderful for us kids if she were to be close by. It has been nice  that she has come for some occasions, but being available, all the time, would be even nicer.” Heather smiled as she thought about upcoming graduation activities of her own.

Jennifer pitched in, “I’m very happy for you, Heather. I know you’d like to talk to your Mom more often. I certainly hope it works out.” Turning to Diane, she continued, “How do you and Dad feel about it, Mom?

“Well, Beverly’s recent visits have been mostly without drama, so we are hopeful. I agree with Heather. I think the arrival of the grand baby has a lot to do with her apparent decision, as well as Winnie’s passing. All her real family is here now. Bart is more skeptical, but he certainly wants it to work out well, for all concerned.” Looking across the barn, she added, “I need to get back to my own tasks. Talk to you later.”

“Me, too,” added Jennifer, “Keep a close eye on Sunshine here, Heather. She’ll be a new mama herself, any day now. I’ve got work waiting for me in the office.”

Jennifer turned and walked out the door, to return to her nearby office.

[To be continued - next Friday]

"May everyone have a homeplace, if only in your mind."

Dr. Bill  ;-)

Chapter 2, Episode 4, January 1999, Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

January 1999

This series of posts on each Friday, henceforth, moving forward during 2015 will continue the stories of “The Homeplace Saga” series of family saga, historical fiction families in the area of Oak Springs following the novel “Christmas at the Homeplace,” which ended as 1997 began. Earlier, we have seen the community move from January 1997 through December 1998. We now move into January of 1999, in novel format…

[In case you missed it, and want to learn the whole story...]

[http://www.amazon.com/Back-Homeplace-William-Leverne-Smith/dp/1451560400/] 

[Free to Kindle Unlimited]

Chapter 2 - Bart; Episode 4

Last paragraph from Episode 3:

[Not all of these memories, for Bart and Diane, could be tied directly to Beverly, of course. But, memories of her, and her antics and departure that year, even twelve years later, still set off that string of memories from their lives, that could not be laid aside. They simple always flowed back through their thoughts, and conversations, on each occasion when Beverly’s name came up. They could not help it then. They could not help it now.]

Finishing their break time, extended longer than they had expected, Diane went back out to the Stable where she met both Jennifer and Heather near a birthing stall in the horse barn.

Bart returned to the farm shop where he was working on some routine, minor repairs on farm implements needed for the spring season ahead. It seemed there was always work to do on the farm, no matter how large or small, no matter the time of the year. If the work was to be done right, there was always something that needed attention. Today, he and Scott had been working on the plows they would be using again in the spring when weather permitted. They always did as much plowing as possible in the fall, but it rarely got finished then. Now was the time to do routine maintenance and repairs on the plows and related hydraulics, to assure the were ready for spring. Scott had run into town to pick up some extra hydraulic hoses they had noticed they needed.

Scott and Bart returned to the farm shop building a virtually the same time. Bart said, “I just heard that your mom was back in town, and she told the staff at the motel that she was back here for good. Did you know that?”

“Really?” Scott tilted his head, questioning that he had heard Bart correctly.

“Yes, really. Karen just called with the news. Lori got it direct from ‘chief-gossip’ Jaxine Hagen, so it must be true, right?” Bart smiled as he looked directly at Scott.

“For sure, it must be true,” Scott chuckled at the mention of Jaxine’s name. Her reputation was well-known. “That’s good enough for me. Mom did say a Christmas time she would love to be able to spend more time with Faith, but I had no idea she would do this.” He spoke as he laid the hoses he had gotten out on the work bench, to sort and then put in their proper places, for both now and later. “She really is an independent woman, now, with means. She can literally do anything she sets her mind to. I imagine this is just step one, if she had really broken away from Jackson. Things have changed, so much, here, by now, it really is not hard for me to imagine her staying. And, there will be more changes to come, I’m sure.”

“That,” Bart sighed, “is the part that concerns me, of course. What might those ‘more changes’ be. I guess we wait and see. We have our hands full now. I really don’t need more hassles.”

“Honestly, Bart,” Scott replied, “I think those times are past. I suspect she has a number of things in mind that will not impact you, at all. They may impact me, of course, but we’ll take those as they come.”

They continued to chat as they each went about their part of the work they were doing.

Scott’s mind drifted back to the fall, when Winnie had died so unexpectedly, and then, the baby had been born. He recalled feeling that the timing of each event, in hind sight, was actually fairly useful, for his mother’s good. She had grieved for Winnie, of course. They felt very deep affection for each other. Beverly had changed, a lot, under the tutelage that Winnie had provided, so carefully. Beverly did seem to realize it, but it was fairly obvious to other family members closest to her. Scott and Rachel had talked of it often. And, they were pleased with the changes.

Before much time had passed, the baby was born, and Beverly had come up, been part of the process, and seemed to be a fine grandmother. She had also come back for Christmas, even though they all knew she had been deeply involved with settling Winnie’s affairs with his lawyers and his other family members. He will provided for her to stay in their mansion, as long as she wanted to, but, ownership would revert to his older children when she decided to leave. Perhaps, she had decided sooner was better than later, for that. Or, had she even told them yet. Perhaps, though she said she was here “for good,” it was really just another trial period. Time would tell. And, they would be interesting times, to say the least.

Scott was now anxious to go talk to his wife, Rachel, but he also knew there was plenty of time to do that. Work came first. He was so pleased to have been given the opportunity and the responsibilities here, working so closely with Bart. He was not about to do anything, anytime, that would jeopardize this current relationship, the future it might hold for him, and his family.

[To be continued - next Friday]

"May everyone have a homeplace, if only in your mind."

Dr. Bill  ;-)