Chapter 11

I am convinced that things happen for a reason. Driving away I felt a bit relieved, and little lonely. I missed Mary, Martha, and Marian, but I deeply missed Ruth. She and I had what I thought was such a connection. Getting shot at can cause all kinds of changes in relationships, but I didn't see that one coming.

I crossed into Kentucky on Interstate Twenty-Four, and not too terrible long after that, I came to a Cracker Barrel, where I could park in one of their designated RV parking spots, and spend the night. It was very convenient because I could have a big old, country breakfast before hitting the road, and not have to stop until well after lunch time to eat again.

I was relaxing in front of the television when I heard someone trying to park their big rig nearby, and looked out to see what was going on. The driver looked to be about seventy, give or take ten years, and having no end of trouble getting the coach situated, so I went out to see if I could help.

He was a little red in the face from trying to horse the rig around, and when he saw me, he smiled and shrugged like he was embarrassed. Rather than stand there and watch him make himself crazy, I tapped on the driver window, and said, "Do you want me to park this for you?"

He took me up on it immediately.

He exited the Marathon conversion bus, and I stuck out my hand. "Noah Guthrie, sir."

He smiled, a little taken aback by a young person with manners, I suspected. "George Mansfield. My boss wants this bus out to his estate so he can take his daughter and granddaughter on a long vacation, and he wants it now. The biggest thing I've ever driven is the hay truck and wagon that follows the baler, so it's been quite a frightening experience.

"I have no idea how my boss will drive this thing. It's too frigging big! But, that's why he's the boss, and I get sent to bring this pig home to him." He was thin as a rail, white haired, with weathered features, and a trustworthy smile. I couldn't help but like him, and quickly swung the bus around, parked it facing the street so it would be easy to get it back out, and hopped out.

George liked the way I parked the bus and we stood around talking for a good while. Eventually he came to the point. "My boss has a sick granddaughter, who cannot fly due to her health problems. He bought the coach so he could drive the two of them around the country and show the little one all the sights. He is not going to be any more comfortable, or successful driving this big boat than I am, and he commented on us finding a guy who could do the driving and keep them safe.

"The little one never gets to go anywhere, because she needs to be able lie flat a long time during the day, and can't fly which limits how far they can take her, before having to check into a hotel. I suspect he would like to talk to you about driving the bus.

"Are you willing? All he has to do is see you swing this giant around, and he'll be as impressed as I was."

We talked some more, and the truth was, I didn't have anything to look forward to, except providing Mary and Marian with their won farm, so they could shack up with some other guy, so I agreed, and we arranged to have breakfast early and hit the road.

I followed George for about three hours, as he carefully drove his bus to an estate near Bowling Green, Kentucky. The place was beautiful. As I drove my motor home up the long drive, shaded by gorgeous trees, and flanked with pristine white fencing, I spied a big house, lots of horse barns, what looked like dairy barns far off to the north, and a large, detached, garage with what had to be apartments on top.

George parked and hopped out to go get his boss, and after I shut down the coach, I waited.

It didn't take long, and an older couple emerged from the house, trailed by a woman who was perhaps thirty-five, pushing a wheel-chair that contained a very young looking girl. She looked like she was in pain all the time, just like Jennifer, and my heart was immediately on my sleeve.

'This one doesn't need money to get help. She needs Doctor Abrams, ' I thought.

The older gentleman approached me, and said, "I am Charles Morgenthau. This is my wife Bobby-Jo, and our daughter Lane. That little girl, over there, is my favorite grandbaby, Lou Ann Morganthau, and she is Grandpa's big girl, aren't you baby?" He had a soft spot for this one. Anyone could see the love shine out from his eyes, when he looked at that child.

"Sir," I said. "Ma'am, Miss. I am Noah Guthrie, and George insisted I follow him home, so I might be a stray. You never know..." I laughed when I said it, and they joined in. Everybody seemed at ease with me being a complete stranger, and I tried to seem trustworthy, and decent, for their benefit.

When I couldn't help it anymore, I knelt beside Lou Ann and said, "Are you going to talk to me? I want you to talk to me. I THINK you should talk to me, because I am a very nice person. And you are clearly a VERY nice person, and that makes us Very nice people, together, which MEANS ... You Should Talk To Me!"

Lou Ann giggled.

Bobby-Jo teared up.

Lane looked at me like I had just turned water into wine.

Charles grabbed me hand, slapped my back, and said, "I can't believe you got a response out of her. Lou Ann never seems to take an interest in anybody.

"You like kids, don't you?" He was on the hunt, and going to track down the cause of Lou Ann's giggle, one way, or another.

"Mr. Morgenthau, I love children, especially special needs children. This little doll is a wonder and how could anyone NOT love her on first sight, right Lou Ann?" I reached out my hand and she took it, eliciting another round of amazed reactions.

We held hands while I whispered silly things to her, in a stage voice, so her family could hear what we were talking about. When she giggled again, Mr. Morgenthau said, "You certainly have won over our little Lou."

I started to feel like I didn't belong, and should just say goodbye, and take off, when Charles said, "Noah, my granddaughter is fourteen years old, and she wants to see some of the country. Her special health problems make air travel very dicey for her, and I bought this gargantuan bus so I could take her and Lane to see all the things young girls should get to see at this stage of their lives. I hear George thinks you can drive this big thing, and not hit everything between here and Anaheim.

"The thing is, I can't drive it. You've seen George and he definitely can't drive it, and when George saw you park it for him last night, he just knew you could drive it wherever the girls need to go and Mother and I can fly in and meet them at each of their special destinations throughout the summer.

"Noah, I know you already have a life, and probably a job and family, but that's why George conned you into following him home. We want to talk about you taking my place behind the wheel and giving Lou Ann a chance to see all the places she's only dreamed about..." He drifted off and let me think about his request. "You handled yours like a seasoned driver, and I'm half afraid to turn mine around in the circle driveway. Would you think about it, at least?"

I wanted to help. I really wanted to help...

So I did.

"Sure. If you still want me to drive your bus, I'll do it for my new best friend, Lou Ann." I nuzzled her cheek when I said it, and she pulled me closer for as much of a hug as she was capable of giving. Feeling how thin and frail she was hurt my heart something terrible and I wanted to help her recover. I HAD to get her to Doctor Abrams, no matter what else I did in this life.

"Why don't we all go inside and talk the mechanics of this through?" Charles had a point. I needed to know their expectations, along with Lou Ann's hopes and dreams for her vacation, so I could see if it was all possible. Running that coach was going to be expensive, and if necessary, I would cover what Charles couldn't, so finances were going to be no problem.