Excerpt:
Ellen saw a hitchhiker. She slowed down as she approached him. For a second she thought it was Victor. But it was Wade Essy. She didn’t know Wade well. She knew his mother and had been told the stories of her awful son. Also she knew that Judy did not like Wade. Neither did Stewart. Victor would shoot baskets and play pool with him some. When Victor was younger and Victor had what seemed to be an entire entourage of friends, Wade had been in that group.
As Ellen came upon Wade she pulled her station wagon to the shoulder of the road and eased up to Wade. She smiled at the big grin on his face but then she felt nervous as he approached the car. She hoped that he was not high on drugs. She rolled her window down.
Hearthville Serial: Book 7
Episode 24
Any Truth, Proper Grammar, or Correct Spelling is totally coincidental if not accidental.
All characters are fiction. This story is fiction. This story makes no claims about any real person.
By Charles Peters
Copyright 2021
All Rights Reserved
Ellen Duddley drove an old station wagon. It is not that Victor had not offered to buy her a new car a million times but she liked her old wagon. Of course the way that Victor had maintained it for her, it looked vintage new. Elliot was dealing with a situation at the college and so he was not with her.
Judy remained home, hoping and praying that any second Victor would walk through the door. He had gone off before without telling anyone. But at some point he had always walked through the door.
Stewart was off doing something. He had told Judy that he was going down to the Purple Bird. Ellen and Judy had not blamed him for not wanting to just sit and worry.
Ellen saw a hitchhiker. She slowed down as she approached him. For a second she thought it was Victor. But it was Wade Essy. She didn’t know Wade well. She knew his mother and had been told the stories of her awful son. Also she knew that Judy did not like Wade. Neither did Stewart. Victor would shoot baskets and play pool with him some. When Victor was younger and Victor had what seemed to be an entire entourage of friends, Wade had been in that group.
As Ellen came upon Wade she pulled her station wagon to the shoulder of the road and eased up to Wade. She smiled at the big grin on his face but then she felt nervous as he approached the car. She hoped that he was not high on drugs. She rolled her window down.
Ellen asked, “Are you okay?”
“A damn hose on my car broke. Lost all the antifreeze.”
Ellen noticed the grease on Wade’s hands.
“I am not like Victor. I can not do shit with cars. Excuse my language.”
Ellen nodded. “I am on my way to meet Johnny Bare. I don’t want to run late. Do you have a phone to call someone for a lift?”
“No signal out here.”
Ellen looked at her phone and saw that she was in the same shape. “Fuck.”
Wade laughed. “Excuse your language.”
“Exactly. So get in the car. Maybe somewhere back toward the Bare estate we will get a signal again.”
“Are you sure? You know, I am a no account character.”
“But your mom Irene is nearly a saint. Get in the car.”
Wade walked around to the passenger door. He opened the door and crawled into the car. He closed the door.
Ellen began to drive.
“Why do you say my mom is a saint? I know she is a church goer and all but you are pretty much the only person in Hearthville who would consider her a saint in a none ironic kind of way.”
“When I was young, she helped me when I needed help. But also, she has told me things about you.” Ellen reached over and patted Wade on the knee to let him know that she wasn’t trying to be mean. “With such a son as you, she would have to be a saint.”
“I guess you have that right. My father disowned me when I was three.” Wade laughed. “How is Victor?”
“No one has seen him since the bio terror attack on the church.”
“Oh no.” Wade looked at Ellen. He knew he should not show himself upset but he felt upset. “He has vanished before.” Wade wondered if that was the wrong thing to say. “I am sure he will be okay.” But in his gut Wade felt this time was different.
“I am going to hire Johnny Bare to look for Victor.”
“I have a money date with a woman. She is going to be disappointed but if it is okay, I’d like to go with you to talk to Johnny Bare.”
“Money date?”
“Ellen, now I know that you know that I am a…” The word seemed to hang in Wade’s throat but he managed to say the word, “whore.”
Ellen wasn’t sure what to say. She stared at Wade. She saw the hurt that his saying that word brought to his face as he struggled to call himself that. An image flashed in Ellen’s mind when Victor, Donny, and Wade would play in the backyard when they were nine or ten. There were other boys with them but those three were in her mind.
“I am sure mom has told you.”
Ellen shook the image of when Victor and Wade were practically babies from her mind. “Your mom uses the word escort. For reasons I don’t know, I’ve wondered if Victor’s friend Deven is also an escort.”
“Deven just does chaturbate as a cam model. He does not use it for hookups or paid dates. I don’t understand why but I think Deven is still in love with Trish Ireland. It is crazy. But I guess sometimes that is what love is. Crazy.”
Ellen thought about when she dated Arthur Ramsey. He was wild back when he was young. Elliot was safe and secure. At first she had thought she was using Elliot to forget Arthur but then she knew that she had fallen in love with Elliot.
“Have you ever fallen in love with any of the women in your pay date black book?”
“There are several I like and I don’t hate any of them. But Tiffany Lane is the woman I love. I plan to marry her. She is also a paid escort. Mom does not think there is any chance that our marriage will work but I think I will die if we can’t make it work.”
The word die made Ellen shiver. “I am sure you and Tiffany will make it work, but we have all survived broken hearts.”
Ellen pulled through the gate and up to the barn that Johnny Bare and Lilly Bare had turned into an office and a home. Johnny Bare sat at a picnic table in front of the barn. He cocked his head when he saw Ellen and Wade get out of the station wagon.
Wade called out to Johnny. “It is not what you think.”
Johnny called back to Wade. “I don’t have a clue to what to think, but you are on the list of names that Daniel gave me as friends and associates of Victor.”
“How in the hell would Daniel know that Victor and I are friends?”
Wade and Ellen approached the table where Johnny sat. Ellen admired the flowers and the beauty of the outdoors. And Johnny. He was a striking man.
“Leroy Bare mentioned you as a common friend. Leroy, in a different vehicle, joined the chase after the van with Victor the day of the Bio Terror attack. We have already questioned Steed. He was in the vehicle with Victor.”
Ellen said, “You move quickly. I just called you this morning.” Ellen thought she heard movement behind a tree and bushes. Then she noticed a squirrel in the area.
Johnny said, “Daniel already had me working on the case. He does that with these kind of cases where some information needs to be kept away from the police department and reporters.”
Ellen said, “I am grateful. So do you have any idea where Victor is?”
“I wish I could tell you that we do but we don’t. Victor is a powerful man and there are powerful forces at work. But from what Daniel has told me Victor is smart. He is tough. I wish I’d had the good fortune to meet him sooner though I am sure in time we will meet. My Uncle Hollis thinks the world of Victor.”
Wade said, “But Daniel doesn’t. Daniel never liked any of us.”
Ellen wasn’t sure how to react to Wade telling her that Daniel doesn’t like Victor. She was still trying to process that Johnny had said there were powerful forces at work. She knew her son was rich and dealt with powerful people. Still, she was not sure what Johnny was saying when he said there are powerful forces at work. “Powerful forces?”
Wade laughed. “Yeah. Powerful forces. Hearthville is the center of the universe and it attracts all kinds–good and bad. But I am sure Victor is okay.”
Ellen studied Wade’s face. Victor was rich and powerful but he was still her little baby. And Wade. No matter what he was doing with his life now, he was still that boy who had come to play with Victor when they were all so young. And now the image of Jossette sitting in the swing with Victor flashed in her mind. Looking through a window she guessed she had witnessed Victor’s first kiss.
Johnny smiled at Wade. He saw that Ellen was about to break down in tears and wanted to interject a different thought. “Wade, how is Irene?”
“Mom is great. She can’t quite get used to idea that I am going to marry Tiffany Lane.”
“I told Lilly about you and Tiffany and she wasn’t sure what to think either. You know Lilly stole Donny away from Ms. Lane.”
“I did not know that. I did not meet Tiffany until, I am not sure when. But it was not when she was dating Donny. Of course Donny always tried to keep his girlfriends away from us clowns.”
Johnny said, “Victor was also good friends with Donny. But oddly, though I guess you just explained it, Lilly told me that she has never met Victor. I was telling her that I had never met Victor.”
Ellen asked, “Donny? You mean Donny Maxtone?”
Johnny said, “Right. You know, Lilly was married to Donny. They were married much too young, but it was true love.”
“I am not sure Victor ever got over the death of Donny. And then that with Jossette. Speaking of young love. And I should tell you that sometimes Victor goes off without telling anyone. But this feels differently.”
“Steed told me that about Victor. And so did Leroy. But they agree with you. This feels different.”
Wade said, “He goes to Atlanta a good bit to visit with Jossette’s mom regarding their joint business. And uh, he goes to Jossette’s grave and that breaks his heart. He can’t take it and he goes into party mode.”
Johnny asked, “So you know about George?”
Ellen asked, “George?”
Wade said, “That is the name Victor uses when he tries to forget his pain and starts to party.”
Johnny said, “I was told that it is almost like he has an alter personality.”
Wade looked at Johnny. “Almost?”
Johnny shook his head in a way to tell Wade not to say more. Wade looked at Ellen and nodded.
“Wait. You are telling me that my son has a split personality.”
Johnny said, “I am not a psychiatrist and I have never met Victor. I am just relaying what I have been told.” Johnny did not mention that he had spoken to Elliot on the phone about George.
Wade said, “You don’t have to have a split personality to use a different name when you are out partying. Especially when you don’t want women to know that you are a millionaire.” Wade knew that in fact Victor did have a full blown alter personality but realized Johnny did not want to tell her that.
Johnny said, “I will do everything within my power to find Victor and bring him back to you.”
Ellen asked, “How much do I need to pay you?”
“Mayor Hollis…”
Wade said, “Your uncle.”
Johnny laughed. “My uncle is paying me some and Steed is paying me the rest.”
“Elliot and I do not have access to Victor’s funds but I have money. I can pay you.”
“No. It was made clear to me by both my Uncle and also Arthur Ramsey that you and Elliot should not spend any of your money on this. They made clear they would cover my expenses.”
Wade said, “And that entitles them to the reports that you generate. Are we sure that neither Steed nor Arthur had anything to do with Victor vanishing.”
“Arthur loves Victor.”
Ellen questioned, “Loves Victor? I am confused.”
“I did not mean in a queer sort of way. Can I talk freely in front of Wade?”
“I guess.”
“About you and Arthur?”
“That was before me and Elliot.”
Wade wanted to Ellen to know that he knew things so she would not be uncomfortable talking in front of him. Wade said, “Victor told me that you had a baby that you gave up for adoption but he did not know that Arthur was the father.”
“I never told Victor that I had given a baby up for adoption. How did he know?”
“My mom. She was drunk. She did not mean to betray your confidence.”
Johnny said, “Arthur tried to explain to me, though I had not asked, that when he looks at Victor that Victor reminds him of the baby the two of you had together that you gave up for adoption. And Steed told me that Victor practically saved his life just by being his friend. They think of Victor as family and they want Victor found. I would not say as much as you and Elliot want Victor found because I doubt that would hardly be possible, but it is important to them. They made that clear to me. I don’t believe Arthur or Steed had anything to do with Victor vanishing.”
Ellen said, “I understand what Arthur was saying. Sometimes I wonder how much my baby that I gave up for adoption is like Victor or Stewart. I guess to some people it might be sound weird but it is through Victor and Stewart that I feel a connection to my baby and I can picture him older.”
Wade asked, “You and Arthur never suspected who your baby is, was? Surely you must have suspected.”
Ellen shook her head. “Wait. What?”
Wade said, “Mom said it broke her heart when she saw Victor at Donny’s funeral. He was crying so much. And Arthur was standing behind Victor and Steed and with Steed trying to comfort Victor.”
“Elliot went to the funeral with Victor but I didn’t go.” Ellen thought a second. “Broke her heart. Wait. What are you saying?”
“You must have suspected. Have I said too much?”
Ellen said, “Say more.”
“Mom didn’t just blurt out about you and Arthur out of the blue, like a drunken subject coming out of thin air though she was somewhat drunk. She was going to try to console Victor. But then when she realized Victor didn’t know you had given a baby up for adoption she shut up and did not say more about the baby to Victor. I wasn’t with them when they were talking but Victor told me. And then I talked to my mom about it.”
Ellen sat down at the picnic table. “What more was there to say about the baby? Did she tell you?”
“She told me enough so that I knew that she had thought Victor knew who Donny Maxtone was. She thought Victor was crying over the death of his half-brother. She didn’t tell Victor and I did not tell Victor because she told me not to tell him but I think on some level he knew. You must have suspected.”
“How did your mom know? I didn’t know. Arthur told me that he didn’t know. I’ve wondered a million times who my son grew up to be. But I could not get the information.” Ellen asked again, “How did Irene know?”
“I don’t know.”
“Could she be wrong?”
Lilly had been leaning up behind a tree and listening. “Donny knew. He had broken into a office and he had made a copy of the records. He told me.”
Ellen stared at Lilly for a moment. Then Ellen buried her head in her hands. She cried. “So it is true. Donny was my baby. I did not go to my baby’s funeral. I did not know that my baby had died.”
Johnny said, “Donny was a fine young man.”
Ellen cried, “And I am the most awful person on the face of the earth. All the times he came into my kitchen with Victor and I had no idea. And I did not go to his funeral.”
Lilly walked to put her hand on Ellen’s shoulder. “Donny did not want you to know. But he loved you.”
Ellen looked up at Lilly. She put her hand on Lilly’s hand on her shoulder. “Donny was my son and he did not hate me.”
Lilly said, “He was your son and he loved you.” Lilly removed her hand from Ellen’s shoulder and stepped back as Johnny stood up.
Wade said, “And Victor loves you.”
Ellen knew why Wade said that. Victor had reasons to hate her, but he didn’t. She knew he didn’t. But it was good to hear Wade say that.
Johnny put his hand on his sister’s shoulder. “Is this breaking your heart?”
“A little bit.”
Ellen stood up and put her arms around Lilly. She kissed her on the cheek. “I know how much Donny loved you. I am sorry how much his death must have hurt you. Thank you for telling me. I wish I had known but I did spend time with my baby. I have memories of being with Donny and Victor. Brothers.”
Tears ran down Lilly’s face. “We will find Victor.”
Ellen nodded. “I know you will. A God who brought me to pick up Wade hitchhiking and who would have me meet the woman my baby loved would not let Victor die. A God who would let me learn the truth this day would not let Victor die. In all this sadness I am so grateful. I wish I had known sooner but just knowing that Donny was my baby means so much. He was a good man. He was a good brother to Victor.”
Wade was not so sure that Victor was still alive. He pictured him laying dead where he had died from the virus. Wade could not stop the tears from rolling down his face.
Johnny stared at Wade crying. He realized Wade feared the worst. He eased over to Wade. “I am always here for you.”
Wade nodded. Wade whispered. “Even if Victor is dead, you need to find his body.”
Johnny nodded. “Don’t give up on Victor yet.”
Ellen turned and looked at Johnny and Wade. “We can’t give up.” She turned around from Lilly. “And Wade, know that you are always welcome in my home. Please don’t be a stranger.”
“You don’t really want someone like me in your home.”
Lilly smiled. “Someone like you? You are a beautiful human being. Who wouldn’t want you in their home? You are always welcome here as well. Know that.”
Johnny said, “Certainly.”
Wade heard what they were saying. And he loved them for saying it. He wiped the tears from his face. He smiled. But then he pictured Donny laying in his coffin. And then he pictured Victor laying in a coffin. And then he pictured himself laying in a coffin. Trying to not reveal his dark thoughts he continued smiling. “Thank you for being my friend and Tiffany’s friend.”
Ellen nodded. “Of course. She is always welcome. I’d like to meet her.”
Suddenly, Wade’s phone began to ring. “Finally! Cellphone service!”
Ellen said, “We did not have any earlier. That is the reason Wade could not call for help when his car broke down.”
Wade answered the phone. “Hey, Tiffany. Your ears must have been burning. I was just talking about you to some friends.”
“My ears. Every part of my body. And I can hardly breathe. I am at the hospital sitting with a plastic bag over my head. And one man in this waiting area just died. Honey. He died. Am I going to die?”
“God. My car is on the fritz but I will get to the hospital just as soon as I can.”
“I think I am going to die.”
“No. You are not going to die. We will get you out of the hospital and get you the meds that will help you.”
“The hospital should have the meds I need.”
“No honey.”
“Yes honey. But I don’t understand this. I took the damn covid shots. I was supposed to be protected.”
“I don’t know how but I am going to come there and get you out of the hospital.”
“I came here for help. You aren’t a doctor.”
“Whether you stay or leave, I am going to be at the hospital as soon as I can get there.”
“I love you.”
“I love you.”
Wade put his phone away. He looked around. “I’ve got to get to the hospital. Tiffany is bad off.”
Ellen said, “I will drive you there.”
Lilly said, “Leroy works at the hospital. He also has a place there. Though of course with Leroy, who knows where he is right now. But I will call him and tell him to get Tiffany to Doc Hawkins. Doc Hawkins will get her the right meds and none of that shit the hospitals have been giving people that makes them sicker.”
Johnny said, “I will call Doc Hawkins. Do not worry about any expenses if that subject comes up.”
Wade said, “What a day. Victor. Tiffany.”
Lilly asked, “Did you get the shot?”
“Hell no. At best you get the saline solution and at worse you get the 30 that kills you.”
Lilly nodded. “And then the 10 and 20 between. The 20 is almost as bad as the 30.”
Ellen listened but wasn’t sure what to add to the conversation.
Wade said, “Ellen. Thanks. Let us go.”
“Right. Right. Johnny. Lilly. Please find Victor.”
Lilly said, “We will. You get Wade to the hospital. Hopefully Leroy will already be there with Doc Hawkins.”
Johnny said, “And listen they may not let you in to see her if Leroy and Doc Hawkins have not interceded yet.”
“I’ve heard the stories of people dying alone. I will not let Tiffany die. Alone or otherwise.”
Ellen nodded. “Let us get to the hospital.”