The Letter - Chapter 57

I woke up feeling refreshed for the first time in nearly a week.  Last evening I’d gotten several text messages from Jennifer.

Good news.  I think they may send me home soon.  Looking forward to your famous meatloaf. LOL!

And then a little while later.

Been doing some snooping.  Found some information that may be helpful to you in the custody case.  Will bring it with me if I can.  Signed, Nancy.

I smiled at her Nancy Drew reference and wondered what she could have discovered.  The fact that Richard was back earlier than expected could mean he was concerned that Melissa’s actions could damage his campaign.  I didn’t care about that.  I just wanted my daughter back where she belonged.  I still hoped I could work something out with Melissa.  A child should have a relationship with her mother.  I didn’t want to prevent that.  I just felt strongly that Jennifer should finish her senior year at the high school she had attended for the past three and a half years

Ever since that call from Ellie, I had had a feeling that things had taken a turn for the better.  I showered, got dressed and decided to treat myself to a hot breakfast. I threw three slices of bacon in the microwave, and toasted two slices of rye bread. I slathered mayonnaise on the toast, added the bacon, a fried egg, a slice of cheddar, and a few leaves of lettuce. Delicious! I washed it down with a cup of dark roast coffee and relaxed with the morning paper. 

After I finished the newspaper, I took my third cup of coffee into the den to continue working on my speech for the rally on Saturday.  The organizers had asked to see a draft of my planned remarks no later than noon on Friday.  I wanted the speech to be short and to the point and sketched out an outline of what I wanted to cover. 

I should include a call for universal background checks, since the Senator had given indications that he could support that issue.  What about bump stocks which convert semi-automatic weapons into ones that functions like rapid fire machine guns?  Machine guns were banned back in the 1930s, so reasonable people should be able to agree on a bump stock ban.  I made a note to put that in my speech.  Military-style assault weapons with high capacity magazines can quickly shoot large numbers of people.  I put a question mark beside that.  It’s important, but is there any chance of convincing Congress to enact restrictions?  I also wanted to say something about handguns.  Approximately two-thirds of all homicides involving firearms are committed using handguns.   I did some research and found a 1991 editorial by Ronald Reagan supporting the Brady Bill’s 7-day waiting period for purchasing a handgun.  I definitely should refer to that. 

I drafted what I intended to say and spent some time revising and editing my comments.  By the time I felt pretty good about what I had sketched out, it was going on 2:00 PM.  I remembered that Ellie Barnhart had helped shape my thoughts on this speech.  She had called me a few times, and I had yet to call her.  It would be almost 11:00 AM in Seattle.  She should be up and about.  Why not give Ellie a call and read her my speech to see what she thinks about it?  I had saved Ellie’s number to my contacts.  I dialed her up.

“Hello?”  A female voice answered, but it didn’t sound like Ellie.

“Uh, hi.  This is George.  George Leskovic.  Is this Ellie Barnhart?”

Oh, hi George.  This is Ellie’s friend Beverly.  I feel like I know you.  Ellie can’t seem to stop talking about you.”

I smiled.  “Is she there?”

“No.  Ellie left early this morning for Cleveland.  She asked me to come by and check on her house.  She was afraid she’d forgotten to turn off the coffee pot.”

“Did you say she’s in Cleveland?”

“Yes, that’s where her son lives.  Ellie’s daughter-in-law is pregnant and is having some issues with the pregnancy.  Ellie flew there to help out for a few weeks.”

“I’m sorry to hear about her daughter-in-law.  I hope everything is all right.”

“Yeah, me too.  They prescribed bed rest.”

“Uh, do you happen to have her number there?”

“Sure, George.  But she won’t get in till very late this evening.  She has a long layover in Chicago.  You’re better off trying to reach her tomorrow.  Anyway, let me give you Jimmy’s home number.”  I repeated the number and Beverly confirmed that I had it right. “Do you have Ellie’s cell number?” she asked.

“No.  This is the only number I have.  I never thought to ask her for it, I guess.”  Beverly gave me the cell number, and I thanked her.

“Oh, by the way,” Beverly continued, “Ellie showed me your interview on the local news.  I fully support what you said.  I hope people start listening to you and others with your message.”

“Thank you.  Did she tell you I’m speaking at a rally this weekend?”

“Yeah, she’s concerned about that.  Be careful, George.”

“I intend to be.  I don’t think it will amount to much.  Probably no one will show up.”

“It’s a big issue and an important one.  Passions run deep on both sides, but one of those sides has guns and lots of them.  Take care, George.”

“Thanks, Beverly.  Nice talking to you.”  I hung up.  Hmm.  Beverly seems very nice.  Well, I’ll just have to wait till tomorrow to try to reach Ellie.  I said a quick prayer that her flight safely reaches Cleveland and for the health of her daughter-in-law and future grandchild.