My Name Is River Blue (44 page)

When Mr.
Harrington finished, it felt strange but good to know the truth.
I had real
family
. Manny was my uncle. My mother and father were dead, but I lived
with my uncle, and I had a grandmother and grandfather in Mexico. I wondered
about my mother's parents and asked Mr. Harrington.

"Mr.
Harrington, are my mother's parents still alive?"

"No. Her
mother died when our boys were small. Her father died two years ago. Melissa's
aunt died a few months after her father."

"What was
my mother's maiden name?"

"Franklin. Her
father was William Henry Franklin."

"The
evangelist?"

"Yes."

Memories of the
night I met him rushed back to me. The huge revival tent was packed underneath
with people sitting on folding chairs, and the overflow crowd of standing
worshipers surrounded the tent and stretched as far as I could see. I was a
scared nine-year-old boy the night Miss Carver guided me to the front of the tent
where the evangelist waited to receive those people who wanted to dedicate
their lives to Jesus. Although I didn't know what I was doing, Reverend
Franklin, my grandfather, placed his hand on my head and smiled. I never forgot
the warmth that spread through me and replaced my fear.

Reverend
Franklin's fame grew until he was filling football stadiums. The last time I
saw him, I was flipping through TV channels in my hospital room during my
recovery from my ruptured appendix. That Sunday morning, I discovered that the
evangelist used his own TV show to reach additional people who couldn't see him
in person.

I didn't have
long to dwell on my grandfather because Mr. Harrington resumed talking.

"River, I
can't imagine what it was like for you growing up, but I want you to know that
even though Melissa used poor judgment when she was young, she was not a bad
person. She did care about what happened to you. She had a scrapbook full of
all your athletic accomplishments, and she was heartbroken when you had the
accident. She told me that she was in your hospital room with you the night
before she deposited the money in your account, and she came very close to
waking you. She didn't for two reasons. One is that she didn't want to upset
you in your condition, and the other is that she thought you could never forgive
her."

Mr. Harrington opened
a briefcase on the table beside him. He retrieved a large, manila envelope and
handed it to me. "Those are a few pictures of Melissa that I thought you
might want."

"Thank you."
I took the envelope, but I didn't open it until later that night. My mother was
a pretty woman. She looked happy and not much older than she did in the photo I
saw of her in Manny's apartment.

"River, as
I already said, I'm sorry. I wish things had been better for you, and I wish I
could tell you something more to help, but I can't. I'm hoping that you will
let this be the end. I really want my sons to remember their mother as they do
now. They are young and her death has been hard on them. I don't want them to hear
anything that might lessen their memories of her and make them wonder if there
were other secrets."

"Mr. Harrington,
I promise that they won't hear anything from me, but I would like to know their
names."

He hesitated a
moment before telling me. "Shawn is thirteen and Gavin is eleven."

"Good
names."

"Thank you,
River." Mr. Harrington reached inside his suit and brought out his
checkbook. "I appreciate that you understand how important it is to keep
this quiet, and I'd like to seal our deal with a onetime offer of some
financial help. Maybe for college or living expenses?"

As I studied
him, poised over his checkbook, waiting for me to name an amount, my first
instinct was to tell him to kiss my ass because he apparently couldn't trust my
word. I had seen Mr. Harrington a hundred times before. He wanted to give me
more incentive to keep quiet as if he knew it was necessary when dealing with
state trash who would try to exhort money from him. I decided that I would be
wasting my energy to tell him what I thought because it wouldn't make any
difference. He had long ago sorted everyone into stereotypes.

"Mr.
Harrington, I don't want your money now or ever. You'll never hear from me
again unless you contact me. Thanks for your time."

I stood, shook
his hand, and walked out of his life. I haven't seen Mr. Harrington since that
day in the hotel, and I'm sure that he hasn't told Shawn and Gavin about me. After
what I've done, I hope he doesn't.

Papa and I rode
silently. He was waiting until I was ready to talk.

Mr. Harrington
gave me the answers I had wanted all of my life, but I wasn't happy or sad or
anything. I wasn't sure how I should feel or what it all meant to me.

How would Manny
react when I told him? Did he already know? I recalled the afternoon when Manny
brought Ant and me towels in the shower. Manny was startled when he saw my
birthmark, and I thought that I knew the real reason. Maybe it was the same
reason that Beth Summers stared at my chest when I dried off by the Summers' pool.

"Papa?"
The man jumped slightly as if he had been daydreaming.

"Yes,
River."

"Gabe Flores
had a birthmark on his chest just like mine, didn't he?"

Papa turned his
head towards me. "Yes. He did."

"Almost
identical?"

"Yes, River.
Almost identical."

I began to grow
angry, but I was confused. I wasn't sure if it was justified.

"Papa, did
you know? Did Manny know? Did you know all this time and not tell me?"

"Know? For
sure? We suspected. I guess Mr. Harrington confirmed it?"

"Yes,
sir."

"River, we
couldn't prove anything. We assumed that Missy took off because she couldn't
stand to come around after Gabe died. We never considered that she was pregnant
until after we got to know you and realized that the timing of your birth fit. The
older you got, the more you resembled Gabe, especially your eyes.'

"Manny already
had a feeling about you, and when he saw your birthmark, we discussed telling
you what we thought. You were so young and had been through so much that we thought
it would be cruel to tell you and then have it snatched away from you if we
were wrong. We decided that we were going to treat you like family until you
were older and had time to heal some of your old wounds. We were going to talk
to you the week after the barn party, but your accident changed that. Then when
you found the money in your account, we decided to see if it led to where we
thought it might."

"I think I
understand, but I wish you had told me. How do you think Manny will feel about
it? You know, when he knows for sure I'm his nephew."

"I have no
doubt that Manny will be happy."

"Papa, I
want to be alone for a while when we get back."

***

When we returned
to the farm, I took a walk on one of the riding trails and then I enjoyed a
long nap in my room. After we ate dinner with Papa, Manny and I sat in the
common room of our apartment and talked. We had a good conversation until well
after midnight, and he assured me that nothing could have made him happier than
to learn that I was really Gabe's son. I was a little worried about how my grandparents
would react to me, but Manny assured me that they would love me, and his mother
would thank God for blessing her family.

Maybe I needed
to show everyone that I had family and that I belonged to someone. Maybe I
thought it would make him happy. Whatever the reason was, when we were ready to
call it a night, I asked my uncle if he would mind me calling him Uncle Manny. He
answered me with a big grin and a strong hug, and from that night on, I did my
best to make sure that everyone knew that Manny Flores was my uncle.

CHAPTER
TWENTY-SIX

All the junior
high boys arrived within an hour of each other, and Papa was pleased that the
greeting and registration of the campers went smoothly. We guided the drivers to
drop off the boys and their bags at the first barn and then to follow the
circle back to the highway. At the barn entrance, we checked in each boy, gave
him a schedule of activities, and directed him inside the barn to the
"dorm." Each boy would be sleeping on a folding cot, and underneath
each cot, there was a plastic storage container for his clothes and personal
items.

I stood outside
the barn at the drop-off spot. As one of the camp staff, I greeted the campers
and their parents, directed the boys to the barn to register, and kept the cars
flowing through the circle until they reached the exit to the highway. When the
training sessions began, Coach Haney and I would be working with the
quarterbacks and receivers.

As I greeted the
young campers, I recognized some parents, whose older sons had played football
with me. A few of them politely inquired about my health before following the
circle to exit the farm, but most of them didn't bother to speak to me since I
was no longer relevant.

Each time I
pointed the campers towards the barn entrance, I saw Papa staring at me as if
the man was waiting for me to break down. He and Uncle Manny were both worried
that I was emotionally unstable after my visit with Mr. Harrington. I told them
that I was fine and just needed some time to sort my feelings, but it was
useless for me to tell them not to worry.

The football
camp was a good way to give my mind a break, but seeing Carlee made it even
better. I should not have been surprised when I saw Carlee's white Lexus in
line with the other cars delivering campers, but for just a moment, I was. I
had forgotten that Carlee told me that she and her family would be back from
vacation late on the night before the football camp began. She said that she
would volunteer to bring her little brother to camp, so she could see me in
person. When Carlee was close enough, she smiled at me, dropped off Billy, and
then parked her car behind the barn next to mine.

I was stunned
when Carlee strolled from the shade of the barn back into the sunlight where I
was standing. She looked even hotter than usual. Wearing a pink tank top with
matching shorts and tennis shoes, she showed plenty of smooth, flawless skin,
bronzed in vacation sun. The angle at which the sunlight hit her eyes made them
the most strikingly, beautiful blue that I had ever seen, and at that moment, I
was the luckiest guy on earth because her eyes saw only me.

A quick glance
around me at the campers and their fathers told me that I was not the only guy who
appreciated the hours of aerobics, swimming, and jogging that Carlee logged to
stay fit. However, I was the only guy she greeted with a hug and a kiss that
continued much longer than appropriate under the circumstances.

When we heard whistles
from the junior high boys, Carlee and I broke apart and realized that we were
holding up traffic. One of the fathers, who had stopped to let out his son, was
in such a daze that I politely asked him to move his car out of the circle, so
other cars could come through. Carlee remained with me as I greeted more
campers and their parents when they stopped to unload. We refrained from any
more public displays of affection, but we talked between arrivals.

"Was it a
good vacation?" I asked.

"It was
okay. Our part of the beach was full of boring business types like my father. I
read a couple of books, slept a lot, and worked on my tan."

"I can tell.
You look good." Good and hot, I thought.

"How was
your move from Tolley House?"

"No
problems. Hey, it's nothing for you to worry about, but I have some big news to
tell you when we have some private time."

"You're going
to have me wondering. Sure it's nothing bad?"

I laughed.
"I'm sure, Carlee. It doesn't affect our relationship at all. Have patience
and we'll talk tonight. Did you tell your parents about college?"

"Not
yet." Carlee frowned. "I'm not looking forward to my father's
reaction."

"You don't
have to go to school with me, you know. If you want to go to Vandy, I'm willing
to make that work for us."

"My father
is the one who wants me to go to Vandy, not me. I'm staying here and sticking
to our plans. I love you, River."

"I love
you, babe." I gave her a quick kiss. "I just want you to be happy.
Okay?"

Carlee suddenly
grinned. "I haven't told him about the study program either."

"Damn,
Carlee." I laughed. "Aren't you supposed to leave in a few
days?"

She giggled. "Yes,
but one of dad's business friends invited them to stay at their place in
Honolulu for a few weeks. They're leaving tonight, so after they're in Hawaii,
I'll tell them that I ditched the study program in France. Oh, and Billy will
be staying with his best friend's family after the football camp, so I'll be
free to be with you."

"Big Bill
will be madder than hell. It'll be something else for him to blame on me."

"Do you
care?"

I smirked. "Hell,
no. I want you here with me."

"Before I
forget, I talked to Max last night. He said to tell you that they're working his
butt off in summer training, and it's not fun like it was with Ant and you. He
sounded a bit down."

"Tell him
that he's lucky he has a chance to play college ball for a major school."
I couldn't believe Max was complaining about living the dream we all wanted.

Carlee paused as
if searching for the right words. "River, why don't you tell him? You and
Ant were his best friends. He wonders why you won't return his calls."

"Sorry.
I'll give him a call." I didn't want to argue with Carlee, but talking to
her cousin reminded me of what I had lost. Still, Max had been a good friend to
me before and after the accident, and I had been a jerk to him. I decided that
I would call Max and invite him to the farm for a weekend whenever he had a
break.

"I know you
miss football, River."

"Not that
much anymore. I love the farm, Carlee. Things will be good for me here. Even
better since we'll be together."

With a dreamy
look in her eyes, Carlee scanned our surroundings. "You know I'm jealous
of you. Deer Lake Farm is so pretty. It's the kind of place some people choose
to visit on their vacation, and you get to live here."

"The spot
where Ant and I used to camp at Deer Lake is my favorite place, not just on the
farm, but anywhere. We loved to swim there. The water was so clean and clear.
If we had a full moon, it would cast a silver glow over the lake, and we would
swim at night. Ant said it must be what lakes in heaven are like."

"River, it
all sounds so beautiful. I can tell how much you love it."

"By the
summer we were fifteen, Ant and I had learned enough about camping that Papa
let just the two of us camp at the lake for a few days. When our time was up,
we didn't want to leave. We were never more at home than we were at Deer Lake."

Carlee was staring
at the wooded hill behind the first barn as if she were seeing all that I
described. "River, I love hearing you talk about things that make you happy,
and I'm glad you have Deer Lake. I would kill for a camping trip like you and
Ant shared."

Papa's voice
made us jump. "You don't have to kill anyone. All you have to do is
ask."

Carlee and I
blushed when we realized that Papa had come out to tell me that there were no
more cars in line, and that he needed my help with the boys in the barn. I had
completely forgotten what I was supposed to be doing.

"Papa, I'm
sorry," I said. "I guess we got carried away."

Papa laughed. "You
think? I'm glad none of the parents ran you over before they decided to unload
and move on without you."

"It's my
fault, Papa," said Carlee. "I guess I need to go and get out of your
way."

Papa shook his
head. "You don't have to leave, Carlee. In fact, if you get bored this
week, I could use your help. I still haven't found a new cook and housekeeper,
and this is a bad week to be short that extra pair of hands."

Carlee looked at
me. "I don't want to intrude."

"You
wouldn't be intruding," said Papa. "River and I would love to have
you."

"Heck,
yeah. I know I would like you here," I said. "There's plenty of work
you could do, and we could be free after we got the boys down for the night."

"Well, I
won't hound you, Carlee," said Papa. "Just know you're welcome, and
if you would really like to go camping, we can discuss that. I'm sure I could
spare River for a few days after the football camp is over. You're both adults now,
so it's up to you. Let me know, and I'll get some guys to set up your camp so
that River doesn't have to worry with that."

It was obvious that
Papa was offering me time with Carlee as a distraction, and a little camping
trip with her sounded like good medicine for me. I wondered if she knew exactly
what to expect of camping in the woods, so I warned her.

"Carlee, I
think camping with you would be fun, but you need to understand it means that
you would be away from the comforts of home."

"River, I
know it's not like home, and I might surprise you with how I can adapt. Anyway,
we can think about it and talk later." Carlee turned to Papa. "Papa,
if you really need help, I don't have anything planned for the rest of the day,
and I could be available for the rest of the week, day and night, if you need
me to help with the camp."

Papa grinned.
"We could use you the whole week, young lady. You're welcome to stay in
the house, if you don't want to drive back and forth. I would rather you not
bunk with River since the kids may be snooping around the barn at night instead
of sleeping."

Carlee looked to
me for approval. I nodded, and she accepted the invitation.

"Papa, I'd
love to help out, and I agree I should sleep in the house. I need to run home for
a few things, and when I get back, you can tell me what you need. This cheerleader
knows how to cook and clean, and I'm willing to do any chores you give me. Also,
just so you know, I took courses last summer to be certified in first aid and
CPR."

Papa and I were
both impressed with Carlee's attitude. I was proud that she was doing her best
to become a capable young woman.

"Carlee,
that's great," said Papa. "Thank you. See me when you come back, and
I'll get you started."

Carlee gave me a
kiss and a brief hug before she left. The past week had been emotionally
draining, and Carlee was exactly what I needed. She made me happy, and I was
looking forward to camping with her after the boys were gone.

***

By the morning
that all the campers left, Papa and the coaches were satisfied that the summer
football camp was a success. The junior high boys had improved their skills, established
relationships with coaches, formed new friendships, and strengthened old ones. Most
of them enjoyed the week more than they would have an expensive summer camp or
a family vacation geared more towards their parents' ideas of fun.

On the campers'
last night at the farm, Papa and the coaches polled the boys to hear their
opinions on what they learned and how the staff could improve future camps. The
boys were enthusiastic, gave very little negative feedback, and were
complimentary to all of the coaches and high school players.

I enjoyed
working with the boys in my group, who were hoping to play quarterback or
receiver, and according to Coach Haney, I did a good job helping them. He told
me that I communicated with them in a way that was both fun and effective, and that
I had such a talent for coaching, that I should consider a college major that
would help me obtain a position coaching high school football. I agreed to consider
the idea. I didn't know at the time that Coach Haney and Papa had already
discussed how they could get the school board to approve of me as an assistant
coach while I went to college. Harper Springs High School coaches had always
been college graduates and teachers, but my mentors planned to find out if an
exception could be made for me.

***

After all the
visitors were gone, and the farm was nearly back to normal, Papa, Tyler, and I ate
a quiet lunch. Tyler had grown increasingly solemn and distant as the day wore
on, and I understood why. The boy dreaded returning to his uncle's home where
he saw nothing but misery ahead of him. He had avoided discussing it, but after
we all finished lunch, he decided that the mature thing to do was to make it
easier for Papa to take him back to town.

Tyler tried to
act as if going back to his uncle's house was no big deal. "Papa, I'm
finished eating. I guess I should get my things packed to leave when you guys
are ready to take me."

Papa offered a
slight smile. "Funny you should bring that up. I was just going to tell
you that Miss Martin is due here any time."