Chater 4

Chapter4

 

The morning was beautiful, and I had slept like a log.  Good thing I had my alarm clock. Jed was going to pick me up a 7:30 and it was 7:00 now. My hair looked much better and my attire looked befitting a business woman in Chicago so it should work here. Heels or flats.  Heels, of course, there would be no problem that any man in this area would be shorter than I am.  They grew giants in this part of the country.  A bit of mascara, lipstick, bronze and I am ready to face the world.  I jumped as I heard a knock at the door. 3 minutes early. Good sign or bad.  I’ll have to think about that.

“So how was your night” Jed asked.

“It must have been fantastic; I slept like a log all night.

You looked tired last night too much partying before you left Chicago?”

How do you know so much about me?

“I looked you up. I am the sheriff for this county so I look up almost everyone who comes through this way.”

Well this is interesting. Sheriff. I will probably get to know him quite well as time goes along.

“DID I lose you? All of a sudden you got this far away look in your eyes?”

Sorry, I am one of those people who have to digest everything before I say much.

Part of the reason for that is my old partner; she is very quiet but extremely thorough.  I am missing her calmness all ready.

Well sheriff Daley it’s been great talking to you, but I think we need to get our breakfast and then get our day started.

First of all call me Jed, and what do you plan to do today”

Your mother rented me the building right over there and I am going to make the apartment livable first and then work on the office

Mother kept close enough to keep an eye on you didn’t she?

 Her rent was very generous and the building is in good shape structurally. I studied engineering and then changed my major, but I still love the building part almost as much as police work.

Do you need some help with anything” NO I truly don’t have enough savings to do much for now,

“My cousin Jack is a contractor and he might be able to help in some way.”

“I think I met him last night. But there were so many of you that I can’t be sure”

“I’ll send him over later, he’ll like that”

“NO really I can’t afford to hire any help”

“Who said anything about hiring you’re in the south now and we follow   southern rules which essentially means help everyone who needs it.”

“So you offer your cousin how kind of you.  HE may have other ideas”

We walked into the café and the smell was wonderful.   It had been a very long time since I had eaten.  The waitress came over to seat us and took one look at me a then at Jed and said do I put you someplace out of the way?

WE both answered at the same time, but they were different answers.

She smiled and started walking to booth. Do you have any ideas of what you would like?”

Jed looked me and said “go ahead you look like you could eat everything on the menu.”

“Jed why would you say that it was very rude And I know mother and daddy taught you better”

What did she just say? They are brother and sister.  Oh great, AND here with his flirty eyes and great physic I had forgotten I was just a plain Jane. It’s good she put things back where they belong.

“NO problem, I saw the sign saying you had fresh strawberries, could I have strawberry pancakes and coffee? I said.

“What about you big mouth, oh by the way my name is Julie and I am very happy to meet you Sassy”

“I’ll have the same as her. Sorry I seem to have said something wrong, I don’t know what it was but if it upsets you I am sorry”

                                           

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

I hadn’t realized just how tired I was until I stood in the shower and let the warm water flow over me.  Every muscle was sore. I don’t know if it came from stress or from sitting too long in the car.  I really wasn’t very hungry so I decided to raid the machines. I put on my favorite night gown and stepped to the door fully expecting to be alone in the hall.   

There standing in the foyer was the Mayor and many, many men dressed in business suits. My only thing I could do was wave and get back in my room, but the mayor had other ideas.  How embarrassing. Of course, I will probably be in contact with each one of them at some point of my business besides now being one of the business owners in this lovely little town. I didn’t see any way to gracefully get out it so I held a finger in the way of saying one moment please, and rushed back into my room for the matching robe. There that was better not great but better. I pushed my hair out of my eyes and decided not to look in the mirror there was not much else I could do for myself, and I’m off to face the business suits.

I will say this for my new home; they do have some very handsome men in this city it seems. Everywhere I looked there was another one standing in the hall and taking a good look at me. I am quite sure my face was redder than my hair.  

Mayor Daley pulled me over and started to introduce me to each one of these gorgeous men who were on the town council. I was so flustered that I couldn’t tell you any one name. Let alone mine.  I think I will really like it here.  Then she completely floored me by saying I should be careful because every one of the men was either a nephew, son, cousin, or related to her in some way. So right away I figured that meant hands off.   

I apologized for my appearance, but everyone seemed ok with it. The mayor especially liked my nightgown and robe.  She said she had been looking for that type for years.  She wanted to know where I got it, and when I explained to her that my mother has made all of my clothes since the day I was born.  I didn’t like it when I was in school, but as I grew older I loved it. She is a wonderful seamstress. THE mayor asked if she sewed for others and if she did would she be willing to do some sewing for her.  She would pay her well. I told her I would give her my mother’s number and she could ask. By now everyone there was sure to have had an eye full of the newest addition to the city, so I tried as gracefully as possible to get out of there.  And I thought I had made it, but no such luck. The council member named Jed put his foot in the door as I was closing it and asked if he could take me to breakfast the next morning since I hadn’t any time to look around yet.   How did he know that? My intuition started to kick in.  I had better watch everything I do and say for a bit.

I have always thought that I would be one of those people who never get married.  I was never upset by this it just seemed to be my future.  I would get those looks from people especially women.  I didn’t know if it was pity or jealousy that they were feeling.  Was it because I had such freedom while they have someone to answer to?

 I knew that I was just average looking, but that didn’t bother me either. I don’t remember our parents ever telling any of their four kids that they were pretty.  I still had a few good things going for me.  Red hair.  It is amazing how people are affected by red hair.  And believe me you will always be noticed.  Sometimes that’s good but sometimes it’s bad. I have an all right body too if I am to believe the laborers on the street. My booty gets quite a bit of time but my boobs are apparently very nice. I am also very independent, that is not an asset for some I guess.  The profession that I chose was mostly handled by men up until movies and TV started glamorizing it so much that now there is about as many women as men my in type of work.  I work as a private investigator.  After putting in many years as a detective for a Midwest City, I decided to try a smaller area with less crime to finish out my time and be my own boss.  I made the decision not to live close to my family I had heard too many horror stories about the family expecting favors from relatives, while I don’t believe my family would expect that of me you never know.

It occurs to me at this time that I have failed to mention my name. How remiss of me.  I am Sassafras Smith.  Yes, that’s my real name. Somebody way back in our family had that name and it was passed on to me.  Most people call me Sass or Sassy.  You get used to it after awhile, and most people think it fits me to a tee.

While still in the academy training, I met a cop who had started a couple of years before me on the police force. I didn’t pay much attention to him because he was so good looking and I knew he would be snapped up in hot second. Like magic He was always was around when I needed him. We were never partners or in the same prescient, but we spent a lot of time together. After our shifts it was customary for anyone who had time to stop by and have a beer or two. I made sure I took along Marilyn, my best friend and partner, so I could just sit and watch him from afar. I found out his name right away Robert Hughes., Rob for short.  But I still hadn’t used his first name even after all these years.  Capt. Hughes was promoted right along the usual lines for a male, while Marilyn and I after much extra work and favors were going up the ladder very slowly, the favoritism in promotions was another one of the reasons I put in my resignation. Everyone figured I would get it, but some nephew or cousin or whatever got the call.  I was really counting on that promotion to help with my rising insurance and health costs. Not to mention everyday costs.   When I asked what I had or hadn’t done to be passed over no one seemed to have an answer.  Marilyn was expecting her 2^nd baby and had decided to quit so it gave me another reason to leave. I didn’t want to train another new partner. My Capt. tried every way in the world to get me to stay on. HE was short minority officers and since I was a Lt. that was an extra feather in his cap.  It was hard to turn him down, but I had started the ball rolling by giving notice to my landlord and utilities. Plus Marilyn had planned a farewell party for me at the tavern I think. She had been sneaking around for days.  I wondered what Capt Hughes thought of my leaving if he thought about it all.  

 Good old Marilyn, she came through like a trooper.  The party was wonderful.  I think only one or two didn’t show and they had emergencies.  The Chief even made an appearance along with all the big wigs.  I could have done without that. Somewhere they had found a medal that I should have gotten long ago for a case and they made quite a production of giving it to me.  I got a new shoulder holster since I will be wearing my weapon in a different place now that I don’t wear uniform and other useful things for my new occupation.  Capt. Hughes showed up just before the party was over. I was packing up my goodies when he came over and gave me a card and asked me to open it later.  Now my curiosity was up Marilyn heard him ask me not to open it and we just looked at each other and giggled. Like little girls. It’s a good thing I am leaving this was embarrassing. Marilyn followed me home for the last time.  We went inside my apartment. IT looked so strange with no furniture.  She asked where I intended to sleep. It had not occurred to me that I didn’t have a bed anymore it was on the truck traveling down the road. Marilyn insisted that I stay at her apartment that night, and I was very grateful. When we got there her husband had made us coffee and rolls as usual since Marilyn craved rolls in her pregnancy.  I opened the card from Capt. Hughes in it was his business card with his private cell phone and home phone numbers.  The message was interesting too.  It said if you ever need me call and I’ll be there. And it was signed BOB.  What was that all about?  I got chills thinking about the possibilities.  Who was I kidding?  Calm down and get on with my life. 

CHAPTER 1

I have always thought that I would be one of those people who never get married.  I was never upset by this it just seemed to be my future.  I would get those looks from people especially women.  I didn’t know if it was pity or jealousy that they were feeling.  Was it because I had such freedom while they have someone to answer to?

 I knew that I was just average looking, but that didn’t bother me either. I don’t remember our parents ever telling any of their four kids that they were pretty.  I still had a few good things going for me.  Red hair.  It is amazing how people are affected by red hair.  And believe me you will always be noticed.  Sometimes that’s good but sometimes it’s bad. I have an all right body too if I am to believe the laborers on the street. My booty gets quite a bit of time but my boobs are apparently very nice. I am also very independent, that is not an asset for some I guess.  The profession that I chose was mostly handled by men up until movies and TV started glamorizing it so much that now there is about as many women as men my in type of work.  I work as a private investigator.  After putting in many years as a detective for a Midwest City, I decided to try a smaller area with less crime to finish out my time and be my own boss.  I made the decision not to live close to my family I had heard too many horror stories about the family expecting favors from relatives, while I don’t believe my family would expect that of me you never know.

It occurs to me at this time that I have failed to mention my name. How remiss of me.  I am Sassafras Smith.  Yes, that’s my real name. Somebody way back in our family had that name and it was passed on to me.  Most people call me Sass or Sassy.  You get used to it after awhile, and most people think it fits me to a tee.

While still in the academy training, I met a cop who had started a couple of years before me on the police force. I did’t pay much attention to him because he was so good looking and I knew he would be snapped up in hot second. Like magic He was always was around when I needed him. We were never partners or in the same prescient, but we spent a lot of time together. After our shifts it was customary for anyone who had time to stop by and have a beer or two. I made sure I took along Marilyn, my best friend and partner, so I could just sit and watch him from afar. I found out his name right away Robert Hughes., Rob for short.  But I still hadn’t used his first name even after all these years.  Capt. Hughes was promoted right along the usual lines for a male, while Marilyn and I after much extra work and favors were going up the ladder very slowly, the favoritism in promotions was another one of the reasons I put in my resignation. Everyone figured I would get it, but some nephew or cousin or whatever got the call.  I was really counting on that promotion to help with my rising insurance and health costs. Not to mention everyday costs.   When I asked what I had or hadn’t done to be passed over no one seemed to have an answer.  Marilyn was expecting her 2^nd baby and had decided to quit so it gave me another reason to leave. I didn’t want to train another new partner. My Capt. tried every way in the world to get me to stay on. HE was short minority officers and since I was a Lt. that was an extra feather in his cap.  It was hard to turn him down, but I had started the ball rolling by giving notice to my landlord and utilities. Plus Marilyn had planned a farewell party for me at the tavern I think. She had been sneaking around for days.  I wondered what Capt Hughes thought of my leaving if he thought about it all.  

 Good old Marilyn, she came through like a trooper.  The party was wonderful.  I think only one or two didn’t show and they had emergencies.  The Chief even made an appearance along with all the big wigs.  I could have done without that. Somewhere they had found a medal that I should have gotten long ago for a case and they made quite a production of giving it to me.  I got a new shoulder holster since I will be wearing my weapon in a different place now that I don’t wear uniform and other useful things for my new occupation.  Capt. Hughes showed up just before the party was over. I was packing up my goodies when he came over and gave me a card and asked me to open it later.  Now my curiosity was up Marilyn heard him ask me not to open it and we just looked at each other and giggled. Like little girls. It’s a good thing I am leaving this was embarrassing. Marilyn followed me home for the last time.  We went inside my apartment. IT looked so strange with no furniture.  She asked where I intended to sleep. It had not occurred to me that I didn’t have a bed anymore it was on the truck traveling down the road. Marilyn insisted that I stay at her apartment that night, and I was very grateful. When we got there her husband had made us coffee and rolls as usual since Marilyn craved rolls in her pregnancy.  I opened the card from Capt. Hughes in it was his business card with his private cell phone and home phone numbers.  The message was interesting too.  It said if you ever need me call and I’ll be there. And it was signed BOB.  What was that all about?  I got chills thinking about the possibilities.  Who was I kidding?  Calm down and get on with my life. 
 

The two trunks

For some reason I felt the need to write this hope you like it. i couldn't get his pic to turn sorry.

                                         

                     Two Military Trunks

My sisters and I were going through some of Mother and Daddy’s things after mother’s funeral.  She had always said she wasn’t going to get rid of anything in the house.  That would keep us busy for a few days and give us time to talk. 

She was not kidding, for such a little house there was an unbelievable amount of stuff to be taken care of. .I unfortunately had to go back to work and I lived in another state so I wasn’t much help...  The thing is your sisters make piles of things they think are important and since I wasn’t there my pile grew quite large in comparison to theirs.

My Family believes strongly that the men should all take the time to serve their country. Daddy was a prisoner of war in ww2. He never talked about it  very much as far as I know. When he came back from overseas, he had this huge trunk and it was filled with military stuff.  That was in our attic forever.  My brother was a pilot in the air force.  IT was during Viet Nam.  HIS plane exploded while he was stationed in Texas. Then there were two trunks in the attic.  I don’t ever remember seeing either trunk out of the attic and I don’t remember seeing in either trunk.  I kind of decided that the trunks held their bodies and I didn’t want to see them.  I know it sounds crazy but I had a pretty good imagination.

Trunk #1.

I have read stories and watched movies about war and try to picture daddy being in the situations that those actors played.  One thing I do remember is Daddy sitting by the fireplace. HE rarely drank but we had a lot of company and he had just enough to get him started talking a little, He said his worst Christmas meal was cockroaches and other kind of bugs.  It hadn’t rained so they ate the bugs with nothing to wash them down.  HIS best meal was Thanksgiving.  The sergeant’s wife made some chicken and dumplings.  They were cold and congealed.  She was going to give them to their animals, but the sergeant talked her into letting him take them to some of the soldiers. Daddy was chosen as one who got some.   According to Daddy the sergeant looked like Schwartz on Hogan’s Heroes. It was my father’s favorite show unit the day he passed away.

Trunk #2

There were four children in my family.  The oldest a girl, then a boy, then me I’m the middle child, and then 6 years later another girl.  Where I was raised men rule the world.  It is never mentioned it just is.  My brother was handsome, he was tall, and he had a great body. He was intelligent and he was a leader. When he walked into a room you knew he was there.  HE was very quiet like Daddy, we lived on a farm for   about 7 years and that is where he developed his physic. HE was on the basketball and baseball team as captain as long as we lived in that area.  Then we moved to a big city, and he continued on but now he also incorporated Football and wrestling, He was always chosen king of the court and went to college to study medicine.  He was one of those people that had everything.  WE were so proud of him. If you remember men were drafted in those days. He got the letter but didn’t open it and joined the Air Force that same day. HE became a pilot and loved it. But he wanted to go overseas. They thought he was too valuable and make him an instructor. He hated it at first but later settled in.

When the plane went down after a full investigation it was decided that he saved hundreds of lives because he was able to control the Plane until it was away from the city even though it seemed impossible to the investigators he kept control until his plane dug straight down into the ground.  He was given medals for his bravery. But he was only 28 to soon to go.

Mother used to go up into the attic and spend time with both trunks especially after they both were gone.

I never looked into those trunks.  First of all no one asked me if I would like to you had to have a key and also because I always considered it mother’s private time.  MY sisters opened them when they were emptying mothers and daddy’s house. I haven’t asked them about the trunks either.  MY sister took our brothers trunk and I don’t know where the

Other one is I think my other sister took it. I hope so. It's sad when people have treasurers.at least  they are for them and no one would appreciate them and love them the way they should be loved.  I can almost understand hoarders. I couldn't be one because first of all my husband would have a fit,  and second dusting around pretties takes time and care.
 

When I get to heaven that’s another one of my questions.. I have million of them. But we'll have lots of time to catch up and maybe  we will be so busy we forget all about unimportant things like that.

Chapter 2

                                                   Chapter 2

I thought this was going to be a piece of cake.  Boy was I wrong! After looking at dozens of maps, searching the internet, and calling everyone and anyone I thought  they might be able to give me answers concerning what town to move into, I finally  just took a pen, closed my eyes and circled a place.   I wanted the town to be big enough to need a private investigator, but small enough that I could have a horse and dog and still is able to go less than a mile to get a loaf of bread.  Is that asking too much?

The map said Crownville Illinois. Population 12000.  It is a pretty town, very clean.  When you go by the schools you get a sense of pride, the football team seems to win every season according to posters all over the town.  There are 4 banks and a post office. A small library, the usual gas stations, grocery store, pharmacy and restaurants.

I had a little trouble finding it.  For some reason it wasn’t on my gps.  It looks like it is hidden behind hills that could pass for mountains in some states.  Another thing I like about it is it’s not that far from major cities so I could go to concerts and such...  

The first person I met when I drove up to the city hall was a tiny little lady in a very expensive business suit. I got the feeling that she had complete control of everything that went on in that town.  I introduced myself and she returned the favor.  It seems she is the Mayor and has been for many years. She took over the office when her husband passed away.  Her name is Katherine Daly.

Mrs. Daly was really very helpful after we got to know each other a little better.  She told me about a building front for rent right next door to the city hall.  She had shown me through the building.  It was almost exactly what I hoped to secure. When she told me the price I was quite happy to sign on the dotted line of the lease before someone else snatched it. 
Being the curious sort I saw stairs on the outside of my building. I asked where they led to and Katherine told me there was an apartment but no one had lived in it for years so it needed a lot of work.  Did I forget to tell you how much I love fixing up any and everything?  The mayor and I made a deal on the rent.  I would work on the apartment and pay for one third of the bill at the local hardware store.  She had to approve the changes I would make. No decision had been made about what we would do on completion.  When I looked at my new abode I realized that the improvements would take much longer with me doing it by myself, Oh well I figured it would be slow getting customers for some time so this would keep me busy. The problem I had right now centered on the fact that my furniture was nowhere to be found.  They apparently didn’t have cells in order to contact them either. So it seems I would be looking for a reasonable priced motel for at least one night.