Fire in the Ashes

“I'm fifty-four years old, Lamar. And I truly don't believe I've ever experienced the emotion of love. God knows I've written about it many times; but as far as my actually having known it—no."

“Great the fall thereof when it smites thee, Ben. I could have sworn you and Salina were in love."

“I ... felt something, Lamar. I really did. I spoke the words to her just before she died. But I lied.” He shook himself like a big shaggy dog might shake off excess water. He pushed the memories from him and shifted topics. “Did you know Dawn has a degree—a master's degree—in science?"

“No. But it doesn't surprise me. Why'd you bring it up?"

“Because I'm going to put her in charge of the newly formed EPA."

Lamar had to say it. “Congress won't like it."

“I don't give a shit what Congress likes or dislikes,” came the expected reply. “If they dislike too much, they can carry their ass home. You wait until next week, when I abolish about fifteen departments—then listen to them holler."

“Will I be able to hear it in the Tri-States?"

“Hell, yes. And you won't even have to turn up your hearing aid."

Chase told the president of the United States where to shove that last remark.

* * * *

“Do you love him, Dawn?” Rosita asked.

Dawn smiled at the feisty little Irish-Spanish lady. They shared an apartment in Richmond, Rosita electing not to accompany Colonel Ramos back to the southwest. She worked with Dawn.

“No,” Dawn finally answered the question. “No, I don't, Rosita. I ... have a warm feeling for Ben, as he does for me. But love? No."

Her next question surprised Dawn. “Well, then who does he love?"

But, she mused silently, perhaps it isn't so surprising after all. For haven't you asked yourself that question many times? “Rosita, I don't believe he has ever been in love."

“A man of his years and experience?” the petite brunette asked doubtfully.

“I didn't say in heat."

And both women laughed. "Sí," Rosita flipped her fingers as if they were burning. "Yo caigo en ello."

“Yeah, I just bet you catch on."

Rosita was silent for a moment, then asked, “Jerre?"

Dawn shook her head. “No. But I think that's the closest he's ever been. He worries about her a lot. I wish I knew where she was. What was happening to her. Everybody I've talked with says she was a good person."

“You used the past tense, Dawn,” Rosita said gently.

“I know,” Dawn replied.

* * * *

Jerre looked out at the first snowfall of the year in central Illinois. In the room behind her, Lisa and several of her friends sat and talked and laughed. Jerre knew the teenagers had come over just to cheer her up, and she should be grateful for that—but she wished they would just leave her alone.

“Jerre?” Lisa called. “You better come on ‘fore this pie is all gone. It's pretty good."

Jerre forced a smile and turned around to face the small group. “I don't think so, girls. Thanks anyway."

Lisa rose from her Buddha-like sitting position on the floor and walked to her. “Jake says Hartline can get rough and mean at times. He got that way with you?"

That was the problem, Jerre thought. He had not. The mercenary had been every inch a gentleman. And, she fought to hide her smile and the dark humor that sprang into her brain, Hartline had more than his share of inches. “No, Lisa, that isn't it at all. I just want to go home."

“I was afraid of Jake at first,” the girl confessed. “But he's changed in just the time I've known him. I ... know he's done some very bad things. Awful things, I'm sure. But with me he's always been real gentle. Sometimes I even think he loves me. He doesn't like Hartline."

Jerre thought she might see a way out of this mess. Maybe. “Jake really does want to farm, doesn't he?"

The girl's face brightened. “Yes—yes, he really does. Lately that's all he talks about. Getting away from here and maybe moving away—up in the northwest someplace...” She trailed it off, her eyes clouding with suspicion. “How come you askin’ all these questions?"

Jerre shrugged. “You came to me, Lisa. I didn't come to you."

The girl smiled. “Yeah, that's right, ain't it. I guess some of Jake's feelings have rubbed off on me. I'd like to talk to you some more, but ... I ain't real sure I can trust you."

“You can trust me, Lisa. If there is anyone in this area you can trust, it's me."

“I kinda believe you, Jerre. I want to real bad, you know?"

“How much education do you have, Lisa?"

“Not much,” the girl said bitterly. “They didn't get the schools goin’ where we lived ‘til I was ten. I guess maybe I got a sixth grade schoolin'. ‘Bout as much as any kid my age."

“Ben Raines is going to get all the schools going again—real soon."

“Will you tell me the truth if I ask you something, Jerre?"

“Certainly."

“Is Ben Raines a god of some sort?"

“No, Lisa. Ben is no god."

“Then how come he can do all these things in so short a time?"