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It was one of those pleasant late summer-early fall evenings, it was still warm during the day but the evenings cooled down nicely. Ray and Jill sat on the glider on the Merrill’s big front porch enjoying the nice breeze and just being close to each other. Jill had been right about her father’s reaction to the news of the upcoming nuptials, to call it a tantrum was putting it mildly, he exploded into a rage, storming back and forth even going so far as threatening to cancel her credit cards. The showdown had escalated into a full blown battle with Jillian standing her ground going so far as to call her father a “vindictive prick,” something she would never have dared to do only a few short weeks ago. But she was determined and it apparently showed as the District Attorney finally relented and agreed to attend the ceremony which was set for mid-October just before Ray was to leave for boot camp.
“Have you thought about what you want to do?” Jill asked, taking Ray’s hand in both of hers.
“What do you mean, tonight?” He answered.
“No, silly, in the Navy,” she said snuggling closer.
“I’ve signed up for the SEALs, the seaman to SEALs program,” he replied. “After bootcamp I’ll go to Coronado for training, then to specialist training. I think I want to be a corpsman, something I can use afterward… maybe medical school.”
“Isn’t that dangerous?” Jill looked up, a worried look on her face.
“Nah,” Ray said confidently. “Think about those 3000 people that died in the Towers, all they did was get up and go to work. There was something my dad said about the way that the buildings coming down that didn’t seem right… and then there was that Building 7 that just fell down on its own that evening. There’s a lot more to this than what they’re telling us and I want to get it over as quick as possible. A lot of guys from our class have already enlisted”
“I don’t care about them… I don’t want to lose you Ray,” there were tears in her eyes as she said it.
“You’re not going to lose me, we’re going to have a long life together,” he smiled, wiping away her tears. “Oh gosh, I almost forgot,” he said reaching into his pocket, “I got something for you.”
Ray opened the little box in the dwindling twilight, but Jill could see the diamond ring inside.
“Oh my God Ray,” she said, “that must have cost a fortune.”
“Not that much,” he lied. He had practically emptied his savings account, all of the money he had saved working for his dad since middle school. Ray wanted her to have the best, she deserved it, and it was a beautiful ring, nearly 2 cts., that had set him back nearly $15,000. “Let’s go show the folks,” he said proudly.
“Aren’t you supposed to get on one knee or something?” She laughed.
“Seriously?” Ray said getting on his knee. “ Ok then, Jillian Shepherd, will you marry me?”
“I’ll think about it,” she teased pushing him over. “C’mon, let’s go show your mom and dad.”
It wasn’t until they got into the lighted living room that Jill saw how truly magnificent the ring really was. She immediately started crying again. Ray took her hand leading her to the sofa where his parents were seated.
“Mom, Dad, I bought Jill an engagement ring,” he grinned proudly.
Angela embraced the crying girl saying: “I’m so happy to have you in our family.”
“Thank you so much,” Jill cried, fighting back tears. “It’s my honor to be a part of all this. You’ve taught me so much about what a family is supposed to be.”
“Congratulations kids,” Chet said, eyebrows raised. “That rock must have set you back some.”
“Oh Chet,” Angela scolded him, “not everything’s about money. As long as the kids are happy… even you should see how much in love they are.”
“Let me talk to you in the kitchen for a minute son,” Chet said to Ray taking his son’s arm leading him toward the other room.
When they were out of earshot of the women Chet spoke frankly. “That ring must have cost you all of your savings.”
“I know dad, and I know what you’re going to say,” Ray said, feeling defensive.
“No you don’t,” his father replied. “I have some money I’ve been saving for you since you were little. I want you to have it now, it’s about $20,000, not much in today’s world but it will help you to get a start.”
“Oh Dad,” Ray said, “you don’t have to…”
“I know I don’t have to,” Chet said raising his hand, “but I want to. My father couldn’t do that for me, but I want to help give you kids a good start. Just save it until you need it.”
“Thanks Dad,” Ray said embracing his father. “I don’t know what to say, or how to pay you back.”
“If you want to pay me back, help me convince your brother not to join the Marines,” Chet told his oldest son. “Ever since you enlisted, it’s all he’s talked about.”
“I’ll do my best,” Ray said, putting his hand on his father’s shoulder. “Let’s get back to the girls.”
“Is everything ok?” Angela asked when they returned.
“Fine,” Chet said with a smile.
The wedding was a small intimate affair. It was a beautiful October afternoon, the leaves had begun to change color and they decided to have an outdoor wedding in the Merrills spacious yard. They had set up a pavilion and Jill’s friends from school helped Angela with the decorations. They would be Jill's bridesmaids. Dennis was best man, while several of Ray’s football teammates rounded out the wedding party.
True to his word District Attorney Bob Shepherd attended, along with his wife. He was cold and aloof as he gave his daughter to Ray, it was obvious that he was uncomfortable around people not of his set. Jill tried to make the best of it but Ray could see the sadness in her eyes. Truth be told, she had come to feel much more at home around Ray and his family than her own. After a short honeymoon it was decided that she would move in with the Merrills while Ray was away at bootcamp. Shepherd and his wife didn’t stay around for the reception, using his wife’s headache as an excuse to leave. His contribution was to pay for the honeymoon.
The Shepherds came from old money as they say, they could trace their lineage almost back to the Mayflower. Bob’s father had been a judge, and his father a US Senator -- all Democrats going back to before the Civil War. The thought of his daughter marrying the son of a grease monkey was almost too much to bear, and a Catholic at that. Money marries money and power marries power, it was a cardinal rule among the ruling elites and his daughter had betrayed him… it was the only way that Bob Shepherd was capable of seeing it. He had long planned for a union with Judge Graham’s son Leo and Jill had all but destroyed that hope. His last words to his daughter were:
“Just put everything on your credit cards and I’ll take care of it. I hope someday you come to your senses and see what you’ve done to your mother and me.” He turned on his heel striding away leaving Jill alone with her mother.
“This is what you’ve chosen Jillian,” she said looking distastefully at the Merrills. “You’ve broken your father’s heart, and mine. Leo Graham is a fine boy, he would have been a much better choice.”
“Leo Graham is a creep,” Jill retorted angrily. “I wouldn’t have married him in a million years. You’re just like Daddy, all you care about is your money and prestige. I love Ray and his family, they’re good decent people, something you know nothing about. I’m proud to be part of their family.”
Those last words stung her mother like a slap in the face, she hurried off to join her husband leaving Jill standing alone. Ray, sensing something was amiss, went to his new wife.
“Is everything alright?” He asked, putting his arm around his new wife.
“It is now,” she smiled, trying to fight back her tears. Being around Ray’s family had given her strength she never knew she had, along with a new sense of purpose, things she would desperately need in the lonely months ahead with Ray gone. But she was proud of him, and of the choices he had made… proud and worried. They turned to join the others, arm in arm.
Angela, sensing something wrong, went to her new daughter-in-law. “Is everything ok sweetie?” She asked.
Her father’s words had stunned her, particularly the part about coming to her senses. He couldn’t even allow her to be happy on what was supposed to be the happiest day of her life. She threw her arms around Angela sobbing.
“I’m so ashamed by the way they behaved,” she began. “I’m so proud to be a part of your family, Mom… can I call you Mom?”
“Of course you can, dear,” Angela told the sobbing girl. “You’re a part of our family now.”
“Why can’t my mother and father be like you and your husband?” Jill asked plaintively. “They couldn’t even be happy for me, and they didn’t even talk to Ray, or you.”
“I don’t know baby,” Angela said gently. “Maybe they’ll come around in time. C’mon, let’s get you fixed up. You don’t want Ray to see you like this.”
The newlyweds had invited their friends from school to the reception, a rowdy affair that lasted well into the night. The next morning Chet drove them to the train station, they had decided on Niagara Falls because of the flight restrictions that were still in place. The significance of what they had done began to dawn on the newlyweds as they embarked on the first step of their life together. From now on everything would be new, uncharted territory. Jill looked down at her engagement ring and small wedding band vowing to herself to make Ray’s life as wonderful as she could. She was deeply in love, she had been for a long time, ever since she observed the tall quiet boy their freshman year in high school. There was something about him that was different, something not at all like the other boys all silly and boisterous. She reflected on school, how she had waited for him to notice her. Jill could have had any boy she wanted, but her heart was set on Ray… and now they were married.
Ray looked pensively out of the train’s window, deep in thoughts of his own. He was still a virgin, although he had opportunities, he had turned them away. His Catholic upbringing taught him to save himself for marriage, something he almost regretted as the moment of truth was rapidly approaching. What if Jill was more experienced? What if he couldn’t make the grade? All thoughts both silly and unnecessary, as Jill was as inexperienced as he was. She took his hand in both of hers making sure her wedding ring was on top where she could continue to admire it.
“What are you thinking about?” She asked dreamily, resting her head on his shoulder.
“Nothing much,” he lied. They had left New York City after dropping off and taking on a few more passengers and were now in scenic upstate New York.
“Ray,” she said, a concerned look on her beautiful face, “I’ve got to tell you something.”
“What?” He asked, kissing her forehead lightly.
“I’ve never done, you know… it,” she murmured with lowered eyes. “I don’t want you to be disappointed.”
A wave of relief flooded Ray like a tidal wave. He began to laugh nervously.
“What’s so funny,” she asked looking up at him.
“You know when you asked what I was thinking,” he said. “I lied, I was thinking about what if you didn’t think I did it good enough. I’ve never done it either.”
They looked into each other's eyes and both burst out laughing. “We’re a fine pair,” Jill said with a grin.
The Sheraton on the Falls on the Canadian side was the hotel they had selected, foregoing the tacky hotels specializing in honeymoons. They had a magnificent view of Horseshoe Falls from their spacious honeymoon suite on the 9th floor. Jill insisted on the best of everything, wanting to make it as expensive as possible for her father to pay him back for his reprehensible treatment of the Merrills. Something she constantly reminded Ray of everytime he objected to how expensive something was.
It was late when they arrived so after checking in they ordered room service, both were famished after their long ride on the train. Ray showered first and when Jill came out of the bathroom in a form-fitting satin nightgown he was without words.
“You look…” was all he could manage.
After a glass of the complimentary champagne they made love, tenderly each feeling the other out. When it was over neither was disappointed, their trepidations had all been for nothing. They spent the next five days sightseeing and the evenings in each other’s arms. It was a wonderful start of their life together. They limited their honeymoon to six days so Ray could still have three with his family before leaving for bootcamp. When their time at the hotel was up, they reluctantly left for home. The hotel had been wonderful, so many great restaurants and things to do, they wished it could have lasted forever. Then it was back to reality.
Dennis picked them up at the train station and drove them home. They were still glowing when they got to the Merrill home, nobody had to ask if they had a good time, it showed on their faces. In their absence, Ray’s old single bed had been replaced with a queen-size. They tried to make love silently, but the next morning at breakfast the cat was out of the bag.
“You know you don’t have to be quiet,” Chet said slyly, looking at Ray. “How do you think you got here?”
“Oh Chet,” Angela said, embarrassed for the kids.
“Ray, there’s something I want to talk to you about,” his father said seriously. “Come on out to the garage with me.”
“Ok Dad,” Ray replied, kissing his wife tenderly before following his father outside. When they were alone in the familiar confines of the Merrill family garage, the site of many of Chet’s fatherly talks, Chet’s tone turned somber.
“There’s something not quite right about what’s going on,” he began, “actually quite a lot of what’s going on in fact.”
“What do you mean, Dad?” Ray said, a concerned look on his face. He knew his father and could see that he was really troubled.
“First of all, like I said when the Twin Towers came down, buildings hit by planes don’t fall like that,” Chet said. “Those buildings are built to withstand hits by planes like that. Then there’s the other building, number 7 that just decided to fall down on its own. Things like that don’t just happen, do you understand?”
“I think so,” Ray said tentatively. “But what about the jet fuel?”
“Jet fuel doesn’t burn hot enough to melt steel,” Chet said looking his son in the eye. “There was something else involved.”
“Like what?” Ray asked “Explosives” Then who…”
“I don’t know,” Chet said forcefully. “Maybe people in our own government… or maybe another government. All I know is that this isn’t right. Why are we attacking Iraq? They had nothing to do with the Towers coming down. It takes months of planning to bring buildings like that down perfectly. It was a perfect demolition and what the government is telling us about it isn’t true.”
“So what are you saying, Dad,” Ray said, confused, “that I shouldn’t go in the Navy?”
“No, Son, I’m not saying that at all,” his father said, putting his hands on Ray’s shoulders. “I just want you to be careful, stay aware. I don’t want to lose my oldest son to some fraudulent cause.”
“I’ll be fine, Dad, you taught me well,” Ray smiled.
“There’s still a lot more you need to learn,” Chet said earnestly. “The government isn’t what they taught you in school, it’s full of corrupt people -- people who would gladly send you to your death to enrich themselves. There’s a saying that wars are fought by young men so that old men can get rich. Be careful who you trust.”
“But the military has got to be different, isn’t it?” Ray asked, confused again. “You were in Vietnam, wasn’t it different there?”
“Son, the military is a part of the government,” Chet explained. “There are people there that will send you into harm’s way to achieve their own objectives, their own agenda.”
“Is that why you never talk about it?” Ray asked.
“Ray, you’re going to see things no man should ever have to see,” Chet said. “Everybody that goes into combat comes back a changed man. You have to be ready for that. People like us fight wars so that the elites like Bob Shepherd can stay at home and prosper.”
“Is that why you don’t like him?” Ray was trying to understand.
“No,” Chet said with a wry smile. “Things are what they are… like they’ve always been. I don’t like him because he’s a dirty politician, there isn’t an honest bone in his body. He’ll step on anybody that gets in his way. I’m just happy that none of it rubbed off on Jill, she’s a good girl. She has a pure heart.”
“I’m not sure I understand, except the part about Jill,” Ray said. “Are you saying we can’t trust our own government?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying Son,” Chet said. “Kids deserve to grow up believing what they teach in school. But when you grow up you need to know the truth. Unfortunately, honest people don’t make it in politics, most don’t even try. The government is run by corrupt individuals, people who will gladly sell out their own people for money and power. Power is a powerful aphrodisiac, Son, it corrupts everyone it touches.”
“But what about Mr. Shepherd, he’s just the District Attorney?” Ray wanted to know.
“He has his eyes set on bigger game, Ray,” Chet told his troubled son. “He comes from a long line of dirty politicians. You don’t get to be a judge or Senator by playing fair.”
“So you’re saying that people like Mr. Shepherd were behind the Towers coming down?” Ray asked.
“People like him, probably much higher up the food chain,” Chet said. “I don’t know for sure, we may never know. All I’m saying is that those planes didn’t take them down. So think about it… it takes months of planning and access to the buildings to plant the explosives. It takes people pretty high up to pull that off.”
Ray shook his head in disbelief. He knew his father was telling the truth, but he didn’t want to accept that his own government would be behind such a heinous act. It would give him much to ponder on his way to bootcamp and after. He turned to go back to the house. He had only two more days before he would have to leave and he wanted to spend as much of it with Jill as he could.
“Thanks,” he said embracing his father.
“Just be careful, Son,” Chet said. “Keep your eyes and ears open.”
Ray and Jill spent much of their remaining days with old friends, preparing for what was to come. Jill was careful to avoid her parents, as far as she was concerned they didn’t exist, at least until they came to their senses and accepted her husband as one of their own the way Ray’s folks had welcomed her. Their nights were spent in their spacious new bed whispering their devotion to one another. And then the fateful day arrived. Jill took Ray to the airport so they could spend their last few moments alone… and then he was gone leaving an emptiness inside of Jill she could hardly bear. She cried bitterly -- it just wasn’t fair.
I want to be early in the line once you print this, eh?
It's me, FBA.