Inquisitive Quest

Robert and Opal Willson

.  Gary and Jan’s separation still in effect,  but the couple and their daughter Sandra having  convened for a second flight to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airdrome,  returning to the Illinois  Great Lakes Training Center,   navy son Rob announcing the nuptials ceremony with the love of his life,  Opal Marie Ray, also in the naval service of the country.   The travelers arriving  at Wichita’s Mid-Continent Airport,  boarding the 737,  Gary  as usual enjoying the flight, and  the panoramic view of Chicago before touching down in the countries busiest airport,  an airliner landing every 45 seconds.  Gary procuring the  car rental transportation, traveling the tristate tollways north before the eastward journey towards Lake Michigan and the navy reception Hostel just outside the entrance gates of Great Lakes RTC.

.  Checking in, Jan and Sandra having  joint provision,  Gary remaining solitary,  Robert’s navy friends conjugating down the hall to commemorate his last night of bachelorhood.  Jan and Sandra spending time with Opal, the newest and future member of the Willson hierarchy.   An early morning breakfast,  the anticipation building for the outdoor Illinois  Beach State Park Lake Michigan ceremony.   Gary and the family adhering to the direction to the park Robert had provided,  arriving early,  but soon finding a host of activity.   Robert’s grandparents Bud and Helen Murrow from Kiowa,  having journeyed to Jan’s Uncle Mel and Aunt Leona Weyneth farm in Metamora,  a small Illinois farming community just outside of Peoria,  an hour and a half  drive from the wedding location.

.  Gary a very much admirer of Mel,  a world war II veteran like his father,  Mel serving in the European theatre,  an artilleryman in Patton’s 3rd Army division,  and like his father and many other world war II veterans,  very reluctant to convey their experiences.   Also in attendance for the naval chaplain officiated ceremony was Jeremy Birzer, Roberts closes friend from Harper Kansas and the weddings best man.  Surprising and unexpected,  was Jan’s sister Gayle from Overland Park Kansas, flying from Kansas City,  and without a doubt,  adding to the fray, was the continuity of his Navy compatriots.

.  Gary was impressed with the wedding ceremony service being dictated on the shores of Lake Michigan,  the setting displaying a welding of nature’s life,  not inhibited by the confines of a chapel,  but in the open air macrocosm of God’s natural wonderment.  The bride and groom both components of the United States Navy,  Opal Marie Ray and Robert Garald Willson accepting the matrimonial vows of a lifelong commitment,  the Chaplain endowing the two before God and mankind as Man and Wife.  Gary a front row witness to the ceremony,  affording a tear felt emotion,  recalling a heartfelt time in Wichita Falls Texas,   twenty years earlier,  a dream fulfilled,  but as in John Milton’s epic Paradise Lost,  the intervention of Manichaeism evolved and acceptance that was bequeathed him.

.  The congregation returning from the beach, a festival atmosphere evolving.  With the family members and friends looking on, the four tiered wedding cake adorning the table, a suitable token for the occasion.  The bride and groom lifting a glass, a toast to the event and each other, Rob and Opal beginning the start of their voyage,  in the sea of matrimonial life..

.  The Illinois Beach celebratory event continuing , instead of walking directly to the car, he ventured to the lakefront,  touching the water before leaving, and when asked why, not desiring to assert his action as a memory keepsake of the meaningful event,  his reply not exactly veracious,  “because it was there”.   Returning to their hotel abode,  the evening commemorations  beginning, Robert and Opal hosting the presentations of the matrimonial gifts, A show of  appreciating to family and friends.

.  The morning finding Gary, Jan, Sandra, readying for a return to O’Hare,  but accompanied with an added person.   Jan’s sister Gayle having flown into Chicago’s Midway International,  requesting a ride for her return flight to Kansas City,  Gary more than happy to oblige her, appreciative that she had come, recognizing that her wedding appearance was meaningful to Rob.   At O’Hare, the three boarding their Boeing 737 for Wichita,  Gary of course partaking of a Chicago Dog before leaving,  looking forward to air travel experience home.   Reflecting on Robert’s Marriage,  noting in his mind the difficulties that were in store for the newlywed couple,  with both abiding in the Navy, and the possible liabilities of different duty stations,  but knowing one thing,  indubitable love if given,  can conquer all obstacles.

.  It was July when Gary received a divorce decree,  to be signed so Jan’s Alva Attorney,  Larry Bays could file it with the Woods County District Court.  The couple having come to an agreement, Gary not contesting the proceedings, retaining his car and personal possessions,  their 21 year journey down the road of matrimony officially coming to an end.  Gary somewhat melancholic,  questioning the reality of the past events, but concluding it was neither he nor Jan that were the real casualties, but Jan’s mother Helen, who had to bear the pain.

.  Helen having to witness  the breakup of her daughter Gayle’s perfect union, now Jan’s public display and divorce. What was heartbreaking for Gary,  was to watch Helen’s reluctance to attend Wednesday night services from her beloved Apostolic Christian Church. Being party to the problem, found him void of a way to console his true feelings for this loving family,  but through prayer,  and with time,  he knew Helen would once again resumed her normal attendance.   Jan’s Federal Lawsuit filed against Share Medical Center finally came to fruition,  she was somewhat disappointed,  because of her continued employment,  the court awarding only $50,000 because of her demotion,  nothing for pain and suffering as expected, and with her departure, the stigma of her actions remained.

.  Gary concluding the road of life sometimes twist and turns, no two directions are ever the same, yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination, the 56-year-old recalling a Dean Koontz passage from the novel Dark Rivers of the Heart.

On the road that I have taken
One day walking I awaken
Amazed to see where I have come
Where I’m going, where I’m from

This is not the path I thought
This is not the place I sought
This is not the dream I bought
Just a fever of fate I caught

I’ll change highways in a while
At the crossroad one more mile
My path is lit by my own fire
And I’m going only where I desire

On the road that I have taken
One day walking I awaken
One day walking I awaken
On the road that I have taken.

.  Gary was saddened when hearing the news, the Lord having called a caring and admired lady from an earthly sentential of life.   A true patriot of education,  a giving person without retribution had passed.   Gary having recognized Norma Feaster as an exemplar of the teaching profession,  and for the beautiful person she was.   Witnessing this mentor to a second grade class of seven-year olds,  expanding their horizons, administered with her countenance of character,  and her reflective striving strength of love.  Gary arriving at the cemetery in Hardtner,  having informed hospital administrator  Buck McKinney,  that he would be attending the Graveside Services for Norma that July 19th  afternoon.

.Gary was taken aback at the number of people,  expecting a much larger attendance,  especially from the teaching profession.  With no school in session during the summer months,  he may have been presumptive,  Norma having retired from her teaching profession before the sudden illness.   Gary immediately perceiving those about him, Norma’s friend Juanita Smith, and a few others from the Kiowa School system, Max McGee,  Vee Hill,  Carol McKinley,  but it was the absence of many that was very apparent that very hot afternoon in July,  the privilege of having known this lady would forever be treasured.

A welcomed Windows 95

.  The contingents of recent events having eclipsed, Gary deciding to venture into the in-nominate, the arrival of personal computers having an imperative perspective for his future.  Introduced to the world of computers in 1982 compliments of the John Deere Co. and at home with a TR 80 and later utilized a TI/99 at work, but yet to experience the expanded realm of the internet.  The local entrepreneur of the new age faction in Kiowa was the editor of the Kiowa News Rex Zimmerman,  whom was  propagating the application and installation of home computers.   Gary curious to the financial aspect,  discovering that to indulge into this new medium would cost an expediency in the neighborhood of $500,  not quite fitting into his budget, deciding to visit with Walter Fry,  the loan officer and vice president of the Kiowa’s First State Bank, confident of a resolution.

.  Gary having visited with Walter on several occasions during his employment at the Grade School,  supervising  Walters son Terrell during a high school summer work program, and during one of these visits discovering Walter was a graduate of Southwestern Oklahoma State College in Weatherford Oklahoma, Gary sharing his  band experiences playing at the college.  The day to finalize the loan arriving, the applicant discovering Walter Fry was not present but Jon Ott,  a reprehensible nemesis from Gary’s past.  Gary politely refusing to contract with Jon, mentioning he would wait on Walters return.  Gary placing his order with Rex and not being well versed on the new computer technology and the Microsoft Windows 95 operating platform, leaving the specifics including the internet connection up to Rex.  The purchase having been made, Gary leaving his upstairs apartment unlocked  for Rex to set up his recent expenditure,  Gary arriving home after work to find a new experience waiting.

.  It was a new experience, not that it wasn’t expected, Windows 95 was a quantum leap forward from a DOS OS,  Rex having installed Opera as a browser being of the opinion that it was the better than Internet Explorer.  Gary found it was soon apparent that any past computer knowledge should be left in the closet, the cut, copy and past of Windows 95 was a system unto itself,  but not rocket science.  Sometimes he would find himself somewhat captive in his one bedroom upstairs apartment, residing in town 90 miles from the world of activity, discovering the recent trappings of the past still very much present and still lingered within.  He had come to a decision to approached the internet not as something to experience, but as a vehicle to provide  and possibly give his life a sense of direction.

.  Sharing the advent of his new purchase was Glenda Holdaway at work, the one who first mention ICQ, the first world-wide network with real-time instant messaging, users could register and were assigned an eight digit number so others could contact them.  The messaging system developed in Israel in 1996 , the initials ICQ a homophone meaning  “I seek you”  derived from the Morse Code CQ.  It wasn’t long before  Gary was introducing himself to a host of new acquaintances, his evenings in his apartment no longer a perforate of solitariness.    A ICQ chatroom friendship developed with many throughout Europe,  Australia,  even in Asia.  One evening discovering  a South Barber High School graduate living in Japan, her name Charity Smith.  Gary remembering her from her school track meet endeavors,  the only girl on the high school track team to wear black tennis shoes, the  young lady now working with a  church organization.

.  Gary’s ICQ internet interest having expanded to over 30, mostly of the opposite gender.  A most interesting was Eva,  a German resident residing in Greece,  who worked for the German Consulate,  but also affiliated with the United Nations as a translator, besides German and english she was spoke fluent Greek.   The two finding they had something very much in common,  the world renown new age composer and musician Yanni.   Eva having attended the world acclaimed presentation of his formidable score  “ Yanni Live At The Acropolis “  with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra  in the Herodos Athcus Theatre in Athens years earlier,  Gary adjudicating her musical knowledge.  The new advent of communication discovering others like himself eager to indulge in conversation,  finding that on the global spectrum he wasn’t alone.

Gary was somewhat surprised when Doris Hermon, a fellow EMT on the Kiowa Ambulance Service approached him about joining the cast of the Borderline Theater in their upcoming stage presentation of, You Can’t Take It With You.   Doris having performed in many of the local borderline theatre productions since its conception.  She bestowed that a featured part in the play required someone to play a xylophone, knowing that Gary as a musician had played the piano and vibes.  The play was a three act play by Moss Hart and George S Kaufman and also produced as a movie in 1938 starring Lionel Barrymore,  Jimmy Stewart and Ann Miller. With Doris’s continued insistence, Gary was led to believe he would have a minim of spoken lines, hesitating, then finally agreeing to be present for an introductory assembly of the cast at the Kiowa Community Center.

With his arrival,  Gary being greeted by many acquaintances and introduced to others that have participated in past play presentations, soon discovering his part in the play was the last to be filled.   Tot Babcock,  an elderly little lady was the director,  a charter member of Summer Theatre of Emporia State University,  having acted and directed many plays at the college level.  Members of the cast included many from Kiowa and Hardtner,  Kiowa Hospitals Dr. Marcia Drewry’s husband, David Worsdell.  Bob Sterling, the owner of Yur Place and the Sterling Barn catering service, in Hardtner,  Bob having the primary role played by Lionel Barrymore in the film production.

Other’s in the cast included Tommie Jo Hyde,  a clinic nurse who lived in Kiowa,  Lisa Wahl, a dispatcher for the Harper county sheriff’s department,  Bob Thomas, a rural mail carrier in Hardtner,  Gene Geist, an assistant professor of education at North Western Oklahoma State University in Alva and a member of the Borderline Board of Directors.  Also included in the cast was Bruce Bryan,  manager of tuckers farm store,  Donna Dyar,  a substitute school teacher and Krista Hill Pollack,  who would be playing  Gary’s wife Essie in his role as Ed,  plus others complimenting the cast.

The first rehearsal was an introduction to the play’s premise and an assembly of the full cast,  Dramatist Play Service script books were distributed to each cast member.  Gary discovering that Doris’s description of his part as Ed, having just seven or eight lines was in error,  finding over 47 speaking lines in the play.   A bonus for the rehearsals was having Bob Sterling in the cast,  his ownership of Yur Place restaurant and the Sterling Barn catering facility found him arriving for each rehearsal with boxes filled with morsels of sandwiches and snacks.

Weeks of rehearsals began for the three act play,  the stage props being acquired,  Lloyd Jacobs and Leon Eckert providing the stage construction,  Mildred Farney and others assisting with costumes.  Doris’s husband Ed Hermon, also an EMT on the ambulance service ,was the sound and lighting technician.  He and Gary  traversing to South Barber High School in Ed’s pickup to garner the music departments xylophone that they had generously loaned,  a key component to Gary’s character and the play.  Gary, at first somewhat hesitant to the progress,  but once the cast was conversant to their lines, was astounded to see the continuity of the scrip beginning to coalesce like a well written musical score,  each actor an instrument providing its articulation.   The cast spending the latter days of rehearsal ameliorating the interfacing concert of the script,  the cadence of the play crucial to its conception being fulfilled.

The three act performance wasn’t without incident.  If a performer forgot or failed to give the correct lead in line, it left the next performer in Limbo, waiting for their cue.  Gary discovering it was better to memorize,  not just the lead in line, but several before it,  enabling him to be prepared.  Behind the curtain off stage was Tot with the total script to cue a cast member if they had a lapse of remembrance.   The total on-stage cast numbered 19, with the director,  stage manager,  lighting and sound technician and 9 others contributing to the pre-performance activity.  Gary’s role as Ed Carmichael was to deliver his wife’s Essie candies,  operate an antique  printing press,  play the xylophone so Essie , performed by Krista Hill Pollack whom had taken ballet, could leap and pirouette across the Stage.

The scheduled run of the play was for consecutive Saturday and Sunday performances,  with the final Sunday  a dinner theatre presentation,  all performances playing to a capacity audience.   At the conclusion of each presentation, a curtain call stage introduction of the performers,  followed  by the cast lining the seating exit to greet and be greeted by those in attendance.

Gary enjoying the experience of once again ascending a stage after a twenty year vacuity,  not exactly the musical foray as in years past  but a satisfying introduction to the endeavor of theatre.  The Border Line Theatre production of 1937 Pulitzer Prize Play, “You Can’t Take It With You”  was yet another consummating episode on a journey down the road of life.

.

.  The 1997 Christmas Holidays about to come to fruition, the  92 Buick Skylark having reached an age of interchange,  127,000 miles registering on the odometer,  Gary approaching Bill Bogner Buick, Chevrolet Dealership for automotive negotiations.   Bill having nothing on the lot that was of interest,  but Gary was aware of his  weekly Thursday flight, piloting  his Cessna aircraft to Dallas to attend a wholesale auction of used General Motors cars.   Bill questioning the prospective buyer about his automotive aspiration, Gary having owned two Skylarks,  coveted the Buick model,  preferably white, either a six or four-cylinder would suffice,  as long as it was still under warranty.

. Gary filling out a credit application with long-standing automotive financier,  Southwest National Bank in Wichita.  Bill returning from Dallas calling Gary at home, relating the news he had purchased a white 97 Buick skylark, but for some reason the Southwest National  loan application he submitted was denied. Gary failing to understand why the loan was refused, but accepted the commiseration, not sure of his next move when the phone rang again, it was Bill  calling back, saying he had submitted the loan contract to GM AC,  and it was accepted,  Gary’s car was being loaded on the transport would arrive from Dallas late tomorrow afternoon. 

.  The five-hour journey to Sabetha Kansas in the 97 Skylark was a solemn occasion for Gary and son Robert,  who was on leave from the navy.  The December winter day’s somber overcast was representative of the occasion, the passing of Charles Terry. He was known as exemplar of Christian character,  he and Esther having celebrated 58 years together in Kiowa, deciding in 1987,  to move to the Apostolic Christian Retirement Village in Sabetha.   Charles attributions in life,  included his two daughters, Eleanor and husband Chris who lived in Peoria Illinois, and a younger daughter,  Rita Ann and husband Delvin who resided in Sabetha.  Charles having been a long-standing employee of a sit go oil company,  through the years a singularity employee,   maintaining the Corwin Kansas pumping station, and without reservation,  also farming his acquired acreage from the Roth Family legacy.

 .  Gary and Rob arriving at the home of John Lehman  the Ministering Elder for both the Sabetha and Kiowa  Churches and also the CEO of the Sabetha Nursing Home & Retirement Village,  the two accepting an invitation  to prevail the night at the Lehman residency. The evening viewing at the mortuary found  the remaining Kiowa family entourage having arrived, Bud and Helen and the Johnson family joining many friends gathering to celebrate the reminisce of his life,  to bequeath their respects and say goodbye.

.  Gary and Rob having been called upon to be  pallbearers on the Kansas overcast winter morning,  the weather still befitting for Charles Terry,  having lived all his life in Kansas.  The morning commemorative graveside service found many in attendance,  it was noticeable to family, before the service had begun,  Jan was not in attendance, but her absence was soon dispelled, arriving just in time for the burial ceremony.   Gary was relieved and thankful she was there, the circumstances of the Church sanctioning her affiliation,  because she initiated the divorce proceedings,  might for some reason inhibit her attendance.   

.  The ceremony coming to a conclusion, upon leaving, Gary paused, turning about, a final look at the burial site,  no this is not an enduring remembrance.  He was having thoughts of Charles Terry the man,  a figurative person whose presence he took for granted,  a fixture during holiday meals or family gatherings,  never outspoken or a complainant, just relating the pleasantries of his personality, mixed with everyday events, this was Charles,  an identity but in reality,  a man for all seasons in the service of the Lord.

. Father and Son having declined an invitation to attend a Church afternoon memorial dinner,  the 97 Buick back on the road, journeying southwest, returning to Kiowa.  Gary still having thoughts about the

Scott, Lana and Baby Sarah

.  Gary wasn’t unmindful when receiving a call from his eldest son in Oklahoma  City,   there was an addition to the Willson heritage.  Scott’s significant other, Lana Nowicki,  giving birth to Sarah Miranda Willson on August 29, 1998.   It had been some time since his last visit to Oklahoma City,  having been caught up in the throes of his personal life,  informing Scott he would be heading his way,   somewhat curious how his 35 year old son would address the responsibility of being a father.  This was Gary’s initial visit to the couple’s Northwest 21st street residence, and meeting Tad and Shylee, Lana’s two children from a previous marriage for the first time,  a realization  life can change so unexpectedly.

.  Before departing Oklahoma City, Gary visiting  his daughter Marlo, grandchildren, Garrett and  Allison, and a cordial meeting with his ex-wife Kaye before a visit to a Skilled Nursing facility in the Southwest part of the city, to pay his respects to Kaye’s mother Helen. Gary having maintained a congenial relationship thru the years with his ex-mother in-law,  visiting her and Kaye’s grandmother Sarah before she passed away at the age of 98.  Gary not at all surprised Sarah was named after her Great Great Grandmother,  still cherishing the memory of this amazing lady, who literally raised Kaye.   Gary enjoyed listening to the elder Sarah,  relating her turn of the century experiences, how her family moved from Missouri to Nowata Oklahoma by wagon, and how her father had to return to Missouri for the remaining family possessions.

.  Visiting with a nursing home bed ridden Helen,  discovering she was cantankerous as always, complaining about the care, which Gary could understand as Helen was an active person when at home.  She always maintained and  cultivated a well kept garden of herbs, vegetables and also cultivated a well kept supply of cold Stag Beer,  her favorite.  Helen having  attained thirty eight years of  government service,  serving as Chief of the Audit Adjustment Branch, Finance Division, and retiring as Missile Item Manager.  Gary and Kaye attended her retirement ceremony,  the honor being held in the normally off limits to the public, Tinker Air Force Base War Room,  where she worked.  The Tinker Air Force Base Commander giving the presentation, Gary very much aware it was a precedent few would ever experience.

.  One last stop at Jerry Willis and his wife Shirley, on southwest 25th,  to say hello to his best friend and longtime band member before directing the Buick northwest back to Kansas.  The lack of avidity during the family visit was troubling,  Gary attributed this to his new-found station in life,  living solitary, departed was a sense of communion, and confronted with having to look forward to the future with anticipation, but at the same time painfully  longing for the past.

.  Finding the solidarity of bachelor life in Kiowa Kansas not always entertaining, but there were excerptions,  Gary accepting an invitation from Brad and Glenda Holdaway to join them to watch the weekly television boxing broadcast.  Brad having worked most of his life for the railroad, including the physical demanding road gang, was an avid fight fan and  known to venture some distance to partake of a deserving bout.  Gary having grownup sharing an interest in boxing,  he and his dad never missing televised legendary Gillette Friday Night fights of the fifties.  Brad although younger,  displaying knowledge of the names and records of many of the prominent boxers of that era,  the two able to visit and share comments about the broadcast.  Glenda an admirable friend, whom like Gary was employed at the Hospital,  always providing something special, whether homemade cookies or an enterprising desert,  the weekly visits brightening Gary’s life, giving a meaningful evening ‘sense of family atmosphere.

  Gary having visited with a host of new acquaintance  on ICQ,  a lady in Salina, sparking Gary’s interest,  conveying she owned a ranch,  raised horses, and  in addition,   owned a bail bond business.  Gary was intrigued, but not enough  to make the drive,  the two agreeing to meet  in Wichita for lunch on Saturday.   His new acquaintance to be,  Sally,  arriving in a new Cadillac,  the two entertaining  lunch at a Carlos O’Kellys, Mexican restaurant .  The afternoon finding the couple exploring the realm of Old Town, discovering the lady  was very familiar with it,  knowing the location of several thrift stores, explaining,  this is where she did her bargain hunting when down this way.  The Saturday afternoon coming to a conclusion, the lady extending an invitation to meet again,  only this time in Salina  Gary acknowledging  he would have to reference the ambulance schedule and get back with her,  but it  was already questionable,  having doubts about driving over 3 hours to acquaint someone for lunch,  let alone start a 170 mile round trip driving distance relationship.

.  The following morning Gary awakened with excruciating abdominal pain,  at first attributing it to the Mexican food he had consumed Saturday afternoon,  but the intensity of pain was increasing,  realizing  it was something serious, deciding to drive the short distance to the  Hospital.  Entering he was greeted by a questioning  R.N.,  Patty McNamar,  Gary briefly explaining his condition, Patty immediately notifying the on-call physician,  Dr. Stranathan.  Dr. Sid arriving,  hesitant of making a diagnosis after Gary related, he had no appendix and  Dr. Ransom had recently done a colonoscopy and all look well.  Dr. Sid placing a call to Dr. Ransom in Medicine Lodge,  asking the surgeon if it might be best for him to come in.  Dr. Ransom suggesting because of the severity of the pain, Gary should be immediately transported  to Pratt Medical Center for a CT Scan.

.  Doctor Sid telling Patty to notify the Ambulance,  but before she could,  Gary stopping her, noticing that Bob the newly acquired Lab Tech,  who resided in the same Price Apartments that Gary did,   just happened to be at the hospital, Gary asking Bob,  if he would drive him to Pratt in the Buick if he promised not to die on the way,  Bob agreeing.   The Medical Center emergency room staff having been notified, with his arrival,  the pain just about incapacitating, Bob assisting  Gary,  the hospital staff immediately readying a CT Scan.  The last Gary remembered,  was a requirement to drink several glasses of some liquid before entering of the Scan.  Awakening three days later in ICU,  the first thing he noticed was the sub cubicle I V’S, knowing their meaning from experience,  sub cubicle I V position was used for major surgical procedures, but more often used for those with a life threatening prognosis.

.  Removed from ICU to the surgical recovery floor,  the performing surgeon approaching Gary, welcoming him back to the real world,  explaining that he had an acute colon rupture,  and he performed a conventional surgical colectomy.   The surgical procedure entailed  opening his lower cavity,  abstracting his colon and surgically removing 27 inches of the damaged area, doing a complete cavity cleansing so he would be free of any peritonitis infection.  Gary somewhat  concerned,  having difficulty breathing,  the surgical anesthesiologist when visiting,  remarked,  it was the result of an adverse reaction to the anesthesia,  the main reason for the time spent in ICU,  then adding,  you may not survive its use in another operation.  

.   During his stay in the hospital, Gary having just two visits,  Bob the lab tech,  and a two members of the Apostolic Christian Church, Huber and Tom Farney.   After eighth days in the hospital he was getting restless, the doctors still not wanting to release him, but as a hospital employee,  he knew the secret of how to extract an exit.  He had been walking the halls,  spending  time at the Nurses Station,  knowing they would convey this to the doctor, and it wasn’t long,  his release was assured.   The timing was right, Gary placing a  call to the Kiowa Hospital at afternoon shift change time.  R N Debbie Duvall answering,  Gary asking if she could talk someone into picking him up at the Pratt Hospital,  Debbie replying, she was on her way.

..  With the return home,  Gary’s having two difficulty, the first was the irritation of the stitches and staples,  The second was one of more consequence, bowel control,  his colon presented some conflict when mother nature called.  The good news was that as time passed the control problem would too.  Gary having a question for Dr. Ransom, “How come the colon problem wasn’t noticed during his colonoscopy procedure.  Dr. Ransom replied, the colonoscopy views the inside of the colon, not  the outside.

. It had been over a week and Gary still awaiting a doctor’s release to return to work, deciding to  visit  an acquaintance in Wichita,  Dr. Jean Picard, PhD.,  a sociology professor at Wichita State University whom he had meant thru his new social endeavors and visited with on ICQ before his medical mishap.  Gary discovering that  Jean was a railroad  groupie, she loved  trains, their presence,  their cultivation in American history,  asking Gary if it would be too much for him to drive her to Omaha so she could travel the scenic route west thru the Rocky Mountains to Grand Junction Colorado on the California Zephyr.  Once arriving she would rent a car visit the Colorado National Monument, spend the night and retrace her travel back but this time continuing on to Chicago to visit relatives.

. Gary wondering about the gravity of her thinking, a turnaround trip to Colorado seemed a little much, but after giving it some thought and with nothing better to do agreed to drive her to Omaha.   The two meeting at Jeans residence near the University Campus, their morning spent touring the little known Great Plains Transportation Museum, a small hidden building with many photos of the state’s extensive railroad endeavors, the building was not the main attraction but the locomotives that were exhibited on the sidings next to the no longer used main line.  Gary not as enthused about trains as Jean anxious to get the Buick headed north on Interstate 135 toward Salina, never having driven to Omaha before.

. Traveling north the couple finally saying farewell to the 4 lane I-135, at the junction of Interstate 70,  the highway designation returning to US 81, a two lane blacktop known as The Harvest Trail, the historic highway from Ft. Worth to Canada still anointing many of the small rural farming communities.  The couple making a brief stop at a small roadside sandwich shop at Bellville, Jean posing  a question, would Gary be interested in accompanying her on the journey to Grand Junction and back until she continued on to Chicago?

.  The early evening finding the couple arriving at  the Omaha Amtrak Station five blocks from the Missouri River.  Gary having decided to accompany Jean deciding to secure a coach ticket, Jean having already made reservation for a  Berth compartment.   With several hours before departure, the two deciding to  explore The Old Market  Town just north of the train station.  The area much like Old Town in Wichita with converted warehouses with sidewalk cafe’s and shops, the two enjoying some native India cuisine at an outdoor restaurant before their 11:05  departure to Grand Junction.

. The iconic California Santé Fe Zephyr  known for its Chicago to Emeryville (Oakland)  California scenic journey arriving.   Gary ready to settle for the night in the lounge car, but Jean mentioned he could utilize the upper berth in the compartment. Gary discovering a major problem when attempting to climb into the upper berth,  halting and asking if he could  occupy the bottom berth as it had only been a week since his release from the hospital and his abdomen was still stapled together from the colectomy surgery.  Gary noticing a change in her attitude,  reluctantly agreeing but her classroom authority was beginning to show.

.  Experiencing a very uncomfortable night, Gary realizing his bad judgement in attempting the trip like this so soon, but was determined to make the best of it.   The two finding the dining car for breakfast, Gary seated facing the rear of the train when suddenly noticing some large debris passing by outside the dining car window and before he could say “did you see that” the train immediately coming to a sudden halt.  The conductor giving the passengers notice that they had struck a vehicle pulling a trailer at a crossing.  Soon more word about the event, the driver uninjured but the horses, numbering seven in a large trailer not surviving, the train setting motionless for two hours while the local Eastern Colorado authorities investigated the accident.  Once resuming the Santa Fe conveyance finally arriving in Denver over two hours late and then another delay in Denver,  Amtrak having to located a replacement locomotive for damaged Zephyr engine.  The travel to Grand Junction finally resuming the train no longer pulled by a sleek lined passenger engine but a work-horse freight locomotive.

.  Gary was more than impressed with the scenic panoramic view the majestic Rockies provided between Denver and Grand Junction,  the winding tracks of yesteryear hugging the mountain through the gorges,  the sparkling rivers down below,  the narrow railway tunnels reamed out of bedrock by the workers of a bygone era.    Arriving after dark in Grand Junction,  the two taking a cab Jean having made a prior hotel reservation, Gary getting room,  more than ready for a night’s rest.  After breakfast Jean trying to maintain her original schedule, leasing a car to explore the Colorado National Monument, the prestigious canyons and mesas west of where two magnificent rivers the Gunnison and the Colorado acquaint each other.   Gary finding the excursion enlighten, but found it exhausting, having difficulty walking and preferring solitude in his painful discomfort not wanting to say anything that might hamper Jeans agenda.

.  The late afternoon found them boarding the train for the overnight return ,  Gary deciding he would be more comfortable dozing seated in the lounge car than laying down on hard surface of a berth.   The morning  finding Gary having breakfast alone not wanting to disturb Jean, but having lingering misgivings about the trip, later meeting with her in the observation car. It was a late morning arrival in Omaha, Jean continuing on to Chicago,  Gary’s only concern was the drive home, but once on the beckoning road feeling  the comfort of his surroundings,  noting the state line sign “Welcome To Kansas“,  the experience although unexpected would be a memorable as would acquiring the true personality preface of Dr. Jean Picard, PhD..

.  The daily morning edition of the Wichita Eagle was provided by Doctor Marcia Drewry, better known as doctor D,   when she entered the clinics east back door which was the Kiowa Hospitals old ambulance entrance,  and adjacent to the kitchens back door.   Most mornings,   along with the paper,  she he would deposit a box of donuts from Val’s donut shop,  on the picnic table that resided there for the non-certify staff.   The Thursday edition of  the Wichita Eagle would include what was designated as a social page,  where a person could submit at no charge,  an introduction of themselves to the public,  leaving a phone number for those of like interest to enjoin an introduction.  Fellow hospital employee’s,  Arvetta Starzyk ,  dietary supervisor,   Judy Reed and her housekeeping staff  during their morning break,  formulated a novel idea.  The assembly forthcoming,   with Gary to post his social personality subsistence on the Eagle social page,  Gary at first declining,  but on a lark giving in.

.  Placing a call to the Eagle social page editors number,  a lady answered,  cordially taking the prescribed ad,  then posing a question,  how do you want it titled?    Gary was somewhat perplexed at the unexpected question,  hesitantly,  he replied he didn’t know, what do you think?,   the lady replying, well,  you sound like A Prince Charming,  how about that.   The week long wait was finally over, the Thursday morning paper arriving, there in bold print, the lady was true to her word.  As the weeks progressed,  Gary’s answering machine having several messages from the opposite gender,  briefly introducing themselves,  leaving their number.

. The Saturday Journeys to Wichita continuing,  the Buick accumulating 190 mile per week,  making new acquaintances from his Wichita Eagle Beacon social page, and the Internet’s social networking ICQ.   Gary once again having meant and visited a new friend who had replied to the Eagle Beacon publication,  and was also a subscriber to ICQ,  the two having got better acquainted via the computer.  Diane, an employee of Boeing in Wichita for the past twenty years shared many of Gary’s interest, the two deciding to spend an evening together.  Gary arriving at Dies residence in the evening hour,  his lady friend having packaged a basket of delectable’s,  and a bottle of wine.  Diane having made the plans, the two journeying to Botanica,  The Wichita Gardens” in the 700 block of Amidon Street  for an evening of music in the pavilion club house, performed by a young lady folksinger. 

.  The two partaking of the folksingers presentation and later enjoyed venturing thru the lighted pathways of the Botanical Gardens,  the fragrants of the flowers and shrubbery presenting an aura of contentment.   The two discovering an area to sit and enjoy the serene surroundings,  including the comestibles of the basket and outdoor night sky.  The evening providing Gary with a repose from the doldrums of employment at the hospital, and the confines of a small Kansas town,  the two enjoying the eventide.  The 90 mile return to Kiowa with the car windows down,  the cool Kansas night air bringing the wisp of the rural countryside, providing an ataractic ambiance journey.

. Gary reciprocating Diane’s Botanic outing the following week,  obtaining tickets for an entertaining evening at Wichita’s Century II,  a concert featuring a historic renown band from another era.    The Wichita Symphony endorsing with their presence,  Flash Cadillac,  a band organizing in 1969 as Flash Cadillac and the Continental Kids.   An appearance on Dick Clark’s American Band Stand lead to opportunity,  participating in George Lucas’s movie  “American Graffiti”  as Herbie And The Heartbeats.   The band performing three soundtrack songs,  At The Hop,  Louis Louis and She’s so fine,  also providing sound track songs for Francis Ford Coppola’s   “Apocalypse Now”  and  appearing on the Johnny Carson’s  “Tonight Show”  and the TV hit series  “Happy Days”.  

. The Century II concert was a capacity event, Gary having a floor level table, center stage.   The band making the classical artist of the symphony perform in a new proclivity, challenging members to duplicate the riffs of rock-n-roll.   Gary suspicion were confirmed,  the classical musicians were up to the task, even to the concert musicians,  music wasn’t just something you read and played,  it was a state of mind.  The latter part of program found an invitation for those in frontal section to dance below the stage,  Gary and Di participating,  taking advantage of their down front  table. The evening performance concluded,  Gary returning Di to her residence, acknowledging his  Sunday morning church calling, the Buick traversing south to Kiowa.

.  Bob, the X-Ray technician whom transported Gary to Pratt Medical Center when his colon ruptured, and who worked with Gay Farney, Kiowa  hospital’s Lab tech supervisor ,   was somewhat of a braggadocio, proclaiming that he was never a loser when playing casinoslots.  Declaring that he possessed an ability to communicate with the machine,  knowing when and which machine would pay off.   Gary found this hard to believe,  advocating  he and Bob pursue a trip to a casino  so Bob could affirm and confirm his ability.

.  Gary mentioned his endeavor to his Wichita Boeing employed friend Diane, if she would be  interested in joining the two,  Gary asking if she had a lady friend who would be interested in meeting Bob.   Di confirmed that she had a friend Vicki that might be interested in a casino trip.   The journey commencing early Saturday morning,  as Bob related,  his ability to communicate with the slot machines worked only in the morning before noon.   Gary directing the Buick to Wichita,  the two hospital employees  greeting Die and making Vicki’s acquaintance,  then venturing southeast to the Sac & Fox Indian casino at Stroud Oklahoma,  Gary’s skepticism abounding.

.  The four arriving at the Indian casino at 10:45 a.m.,  Gary not an avid slots person,  having $100 on his person,  willing to lose about $50 of it before halting his gambling effort.   Bob immediately started scouting the casino for a particular model slot machines,  the Red, White and Blue.   He tried several,  but shaking his head  the machine wasn’t responding to his beckoning.  It was 11:15,  Bob having failed to win but a token amount,  when he spotted a group of Red, White and Blue slots near the entrance,  approaching one,  inserting a hundred dollar bill, playing three dollars at a time, bingo, three sevens, the machine paying $240.    Bi-Pasting the next one,  but playing the machine beside it,  bingo again, another $240.   He walk around to the other side, finding another Red White & Blue,  and  another $240,  only this time, the continuous sounding of the bells having drawn the attention of the security guard at the entrance.

.  Gary making a comment about being watched by security and mentioning that his luck was nil,  and  hadn’t won a dime.   Bob pointed to another Red, White and Blue, telling Gary to play it,  ” it would pay off”.   Gary starting to wonder how lucky one person could be, reluctant,  but deciding to tap into his $50 reserve, putting a twenty dollar bill in,  when the three sevens appeared,  it was unbelievable,  Bob was right, the machine came through.  It was nearing 12 p.m.,  Bob noting the time saying it was  time to go,  Gary noticing that the security guard still watching them as they left the building, a puzzled look on his face.  Die and Vicki buzzed with excitement over Bob’s demonstration,  Gary chalking Bob’s success to pure luck,  telling  the big winner,  he qualified to pick up the lunch tab.

.  The arrival in Wichita finding the four having lunch at Applebee’s,  a discussion on how to spend the rest of the afternoon was conversed, Gary remarking, there was a current film everyone was talking about starring Tom Hanks,  a movie that depicting the  reality of World War II,    “Saving Private Ryan”.   Gary thought the  movie was everything the critics proclaimed,  a very moving experience, especially to Di,  she was upset after seeing it.    The two host returning the ladies to Di’s residence, satisfied they traversed back to Kiowa, concluding a very remarkable day.

.  Bob’s Ford pickup license plates proclaimed it was from Montana, the Lab Tech not very open about his past.  His Price Apartment was sparsely furnished,  so it wasn’t surprising when one day, he mentioned  he had procured  another job in Blackwell Oklahoman,  and was moving on,  asking  Gary to help him move.   Gary agreeing,  the two loading the pickup with what little furniture he had,  asking if Gary would mind making the trip to Blackwell with him,  being told he  already had a small one bedroom rental house with appliances.

.  The two arriving,  unloading the belongings,  Gary anxious to return, as he hadn’t planned on spending the day,  when Bob made a startling statement,  “ I’m not returning to Kiowa”,  Gary saying okay, then Bob repeated it again,  adding,  ever,  to not returning to Kiowa, Gary was stunned, questioning him  how he was going to get home.   Bob continuing to shock Gary,  handing him the keys to the Ford,  asking him to drive the pickup back to Kiowa,  park it somewhere in town, walk away leaving the keys in it.

.  Gary immediate reaction was disbelief, but responding with an,  Okay,  no questioned asked.   Bidding his friend goodbye, it was all unsaid,  but suspicious, in all probability the pickup from Montana,  either didn’t belong to Bob,  or was being repossessed.  Gary keeping his promise, on arrival in Kiowa,   finding himself nervous about what was to transpire.  Once in Kiowa, making sure he was not being watched, he decided to park the pickup across the street  from the park,  then stroll back to his apartment.  Surprisingly, he was never questioned about Bob,  or heard anything about the discovery of an abandoned pickup with Montana tags,  his curiosity held in check, another questionable ending,  to a questionable event,  involving a questionable person, deciding,  somethings are best left unanswered