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Chapter 11
It is tough waking up to nothing.
It is all material things I suppose, just stuff, but somehow your
things define you. It takes a
lot to realize that they are really not as important as one thinks, but
with things like family pictures, collectables, chosen furniture...
I guess we should be happy that we are actually OK.
Dwayne got the RV and truck out, so we should be thankful for that.
We do have insurance, but the replacement time, and the
irreplaceable things; it just is never the same.
I am thinking about all the personal things, train set from when I
was a kid, the thirty year old baseball cards, all family pictures, my
arrowheads, my bicycle! Ouch.
When I go through the list, it is pretty deep.
We have never had the need to sell things off so the garage was
packed, the attic; we did get rid of a lot of junk, but anything we
thought might be worth saving, it is gone.
Insurance will give us money, but totaling what everything could be
really worth, it is tough. “How
is the old man this morning”, Dwayne looking good every time I see him.
I swear his hair is not real, and he puts it on in the morning like
a wig.
“Fine I suppose Dwayne.
Can you believe everything that happened last night?”
“You have that RV and Truck Goldie.
It could be an opportunistic time for you.
You have always wondered what it would be like to live “out of
the box”, and do something different with your lives.
Think of the positives now Goldie.
Margie is OK, no one is hurt, and with your insurance settlements,
you can start over.” “I
suppose you’re right Dwayne. We
are still healthy, but who would you imagine did this to us?
That is frightening in itself?
I know the house was set on fire, just like the business building.
At least that is what the Sheriff said last night.”
“We both know it Goldie. You
can’t have two fires happen to the same person within an hour of each
other without making it obvious. I
have to tell you Goldie, I have been worried about your comments, and all
this attention you have been getting.”
Why is that Dwayne?” “Your
ideas are truly good ones Goldie. But
every time you change policy, you affect lives.
Sadly some folks benefit from the way it is now.
If you change policy in a big way, you cut them out of the big
piece of pie they might be getting, and your little idea venting is worth
millions if not billions to them. It
is a big money game out there, and yes what is good for the general
population, might not be so good for the few that are making the big bucks
out of this. Even changing the
players in the governmental system means some folks loose jobs, but more
so, power. It is an ego boost
to become a high official, a very emotional ride, as well as commitment.
If they see someone is messing that up with a humble I have a
brilliant idea speech, they might want to teach you a lesson in what you
are messing with. The idyllic
world and what seems simple, really isn’t.”
“Wow Dwayne, that never occurred to me that I might be doing
that, and the ramifications, gees. I
guess anytime someone opens their mouth, they should think about what will
happen as a result. It’s
kind of a cause and effect thing. I
wanted it to be a good cause and effect.
I just had no idea I would loose everything I owned within a week.'
'Have
you seen Margie this morning?” “She
and Barb went to town. She
didn’t have a tooth brush, much less anything to take a shower with.
It is good for Barb and Margie to get out anyway.
Barb is a good listener. When
we got married I was going through some changes in my life.
I am so glad she was there. Margie
will be too.” “How is she
taking it?” “Not really sure. She
was really quiet this morning. Her
and Barb had their morning all planned out, and took off pretty early.
I doubt they will be that long.
She is fine Goldie, considering...”
There was a knock at the door.
“If someone wants me Dwayne, I am not here”
“It is Amy Streeter Goldie”, Dwayne peaking out the door
curtain. “Oh all right
Dwayne. I am not going to have
you lie for me anyway. I am
just not in much of a mood right now to be social, much less deal with any
more political questions.” Opening
the door, “Hi, Miss Streeter. Beautiful
day, isn’t it?” Sarcasm
works for me sometimes, and this day for me of non-social behavior, it
just seemed the perfect time. A
pause ensued for a moment as Amy just looked at me.
“Are you OK Goldie?” “Yeah
I suppose. It is just stuff,
right?” “You are
incredible Goldie. I figured
you would come out swinging at me, and blaming me for all of the
publicity. I am afraid it did
lead to the fires.” “We
figured that out Amy. It is
pretty obvious.” “I have
grown very fond of you Goldie. Your
wife is a very lucky woman. I
have enjoyed listing to you and it has been captivating to hear what you
have to say next. It has been
one of my biggest stories that I have ever covered.
We have big fires in apartment complexes, even murders that catch
pretty big attention, even trials, but you are the first story I have
covered that has gotten such big attention; national attention.
I am getting pressure from our staff, even the networks Goldie.
I am afraid I am getting pulled into this now that I have started
it. I am really sorry Goldie.
I really didn’t mean...” “Relax
Amy. I thank you for being up
front with me, and letting me know how you feel.
You didn’t start this, I did.
Remember I was the one that opened my mouth.
You didn’t push me to speak, and I did see you guys there with
your cameras and microphones. I
guess I should have known myself what I was getting into. I
didn’t realize what I was saying would get the attention it did. I also
didn’t think about the crookedness of people when it comes to big money,
and the possibility that governmental officials might not be there to just
serve the people as we all think. They
are there to use their power. I
suppose some people get elected to wield that power to their own benefit
and ego. I have to believe it
with all the money spent on candidates with donations.
They just don’t use the objective compassion and purpose we all
would like to believe they use. What
brings you out here this morning? More
stories?” “The network is giving me pressure, and when you are ready,
let me know. We can quote
anything you want Goldie. If
you want to go back to your lives, then that is what we will report.
It will all die down pretty quick if we do that.
It is your call. I can
guarantee that I will give you the reporting that you deserve with nothing
out of context, and what is now in your best interest for a while.
We need to finish this story Goldie.
Your way…” It was silent for a moment as her apparently honest
statements rang in my ears. She
has actually never been dishonest to me.
Their television station has been flattering actually. “Thanks
for that Amy. I really
appreciate it. I guess we can
steer this where we want it to go at this point.
If we want to squelch it, or bring it on, we can do whatever we
choose. What are you going to
do now?” “As a good
reporter, I am going to stick to the facts Goldie.
I am going to mention in my next report that you are the one that
the fires happened to, or at least had this misfortune, and will probably
stick to a short report this time. There
was a kidnapping also last night so they are working on that story today,
so the news headlines have something else to focus on.
We can make your story a little less of a focus today, rather than
a headline like; Golden Boy has his business and house burned to the
ground! What do you think Goldie?” “Thanks for that Amy.
I could use a little peace and quiet for the next few weeks, as we
see where we are at. We have
no idea what we are going to do. Insurance
settlements take time, and I have no idea what arson is going to do to the
claim. I am sure they know I
didn’t do it, but never the less, insurance companies can do an
investigation and that can take months, if they want to collect on the
interest of that money while delaying my settlement.
We shall see. I guess I
am finally getting all that money back that I paid to the insurance
companies over these last many years.
I always thought insurance was a waste but boy, what we would do
without it now.”
The news will be on in a few minutes,
and now it seems like this is all we own.
When you are unemployed as we are since the fire; have no home to
clean; even the yard doesn’t seem to matter anymore with a big pile of
burnt rubble in the middle of it. The
yard is even a disaster. The
trucks trashed it, the mud, it is a disaster.
“News at 6 starts now!” The
familiar dramatic music plays as the Anchorwoman starts to speak.
“This is Sarah Keller. The
two fires last night happened to Mr. and Mrs. Golden Simms, a familiar
person of recent with his expressed political views.
Both house and business burned, and the Sheriff’s office felt it
was arson in both cases. There are no reports or claims that it had
anything to do with the recent political statements and ideas Mr. Simms
has expressed. Investigations
will be ongoing, and we will bring you more information as the story
develops.” Top news story
again, but it was quick tonight. Now
we are just another victim of crime, something the news typically talks
about.
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