GERONIMO!

 

By: Kenda

 

 

     Rick Simon looked up from the newspaper he was reading as he heard an insistent, ‘knock, knock, knock,’ on the closed door of the Simon and Simon office.

 

     "Yeah, come on in!"  Rick called from where he sat behind his desk.

 

     The detective jumped to his feet as a dark headed woman entered the office. 

 

"Joy!"

 

     The fashionable lady who had just entered accepted Rick's hug and kiss, returning each wholeheartedly.

 

     "Long time no see, Richard," the woman teased as they broke their embrace.  "Where have you been hiding yourself?"

 

     "Ah, work's kept me pretty busy lately.  And you know how A.J. is.  He doesn't let me rest for a minute."

 

     Joy caught sight of the newspaper on Rick's desk opened to the sport's section. "Oh, I can certainly see that.  Mean old A.J. keeps your nose to the grindstone, doesn't he?"

 

     “Yeah...uh...well, see that's for a case we're workin' on.  A...uh...real important case.  A...uh...case involving...uh stolen baseballs."

 

     Joy shook her head and laughed.  "Even after all these years, Rick Simon, you haven't changed a bit.  You're still the same fourteen-year-old boy I sat in front of in Mrs. Bartlett's English class."

 

     Rick had no choice but to agree.  "Yeah, I guess you're right about that, darlin.’"

 

     As Joy looked around the Simons' office she asked, "Speaking of mean old A.J., where is my favorite little brother?"

 

     "He had to deliver some documents to a lawyer we're on a case for."

 

     "The case of the stolen baseballs?"

 

     "No, not that one,” Rick chuckled. “But anyway, he should be back in a little while."

 

     "Good.  I'd love to see him.  I think the last time I saw A.J. was ten years ago.  I stopped in to see you guys when your office was down on the beach, remember?”

 

     "Geez, has it been that long since you've been in San Diego?"  Rick asked while at the same time indicating for Joy to sit in one of the chairs that was positioned across from A.J.'s desk.

 

     Rick settled himself in the remaining chair as Joy replied, "Yes, it has been."

 

     "You shouldn't wait so long in between visits."

 

     "Me?  What about you, Mr. Simon?  The last time you were up to my place was what - almost nine years ago?"

 

     Rick nodded ruefully.  "Something like that.  I keep meaning to call you and drive up some weekend, but time just keeps slippin' away from me."

 

     "As it does for all of us," Joy agreed.  "But listen to you, Mr. ‘time just keeps slippin' away from me.’  What happened to the free spirited, go-whichever-way-the-wind-blows boy I used to know?"

 

     Rick chuckled again.  "Oh, there's still quite a bit of that boy left in this man.  Just ask A.J."

 

     "I'll do that," Joy confirmed.  "Still, it's hard for me to believe that I'm looking at the same guy I sat in front of in nearly every class all through high school."

 

Joy’s maiden name of, Seddar, had always placed her by order of the alphabet, in front of Rick Simon in all the classes they shared.  By the second day of school their freshman year Joy had already decided that Rick was funny, cute, friendly, and a bit on the wild side.  It was that reckless devil-may-care attitude of Rick's that had first appealed to the quiet, studious fourteen-year-old Joy.  She was an only child who had attended previously an all girls Catholic grade school.  Because of that, Rick was the first boy she'd had the opportunity to get to know well...much to her delight, and much to the concern of her parents.

 

     "To this day my father can hardly believe that you're half owner of such a successful business."

 

     Rick smiled modestly. "We get by."

 

     "Oh, come on, Rick, give yourself some credit.  You and A.J. have done a wonderful job with this business over the past thirteen years.  Dad sees your names in the paper for some deed or another all the time."

 

     "Not all those deeds are necessarily good ones," Rick pointed out with a mischievous grin.

 

     Joy grinned as well. "Dad's mentioned that fact a time or two, I believe."

 

     "I'm sure he has," Rick laughed.

 

     Amidst the couple's laughter A.J. entered the office. He wasn’t paying any attention to who his brother was entertaining as he leafed through the mail he carried in his hands.

 

     At first A.J. couldn't place the woman who was rapidly approaching him with her arms outstretched.  He knew exactly who she was though, when she hugged him tightly while exclaiming, "My favorite little brother!"

 

     A.J. broke into a big smile.  "Joy!" 

 

     Joy stepped out of A.J.'s hug after a moment and studied him at arms length.  As she took in the handsome man attired stylishly in dark gray slacks and shirt, light gray sport coat and multi-print tie, she stated, "A.J. you haven't changed a bit since the last time I saw you.  How do you stay so young looking?"

 

     "Lots of plastic surgery," Rick quipped.

 

     A.J. ignored Rick's comment as he smiled warmly at their visitor. 

 

"Thank you, Joy.  It's a miracle that I've retained my youth, and my sanity, after all these years of working with my older brother.  Speaking of which, have you noticed that Rick's lost more hair since you last saw him?"

 

     "Hey!" Rick protested.  "Can the smart remarks, A.J., or I'll arrange for you to lose some of that hair of yours in a real painful manner."

     Joy laughed at the brothers as she retook her seat.  A.J. walked behind his desk and sat down as well, while Rick continued to make idle threats in the blond man's direction.

 

     "You two will never change, will you?” Joy smiled. “You're still trying to get the best of each other."  

 

"Yep, but I'm winnin,’" Rick declared.

 

     "Don't bet on it," A.J. retorted.

 

     Joy knew the brothers well enough to know this argument could last all afternoon. Therefore, she intervened.

 

"Truce, guys.  Truce."

 

     "Okay, truce," Rick agreed.

 

     A.J. nodded.  "We never continue to argue when a lovely lady lightens our doorstep and asks us to call a truce."

 

     "The one thing you two do have in common; is that you both know how to shamelessly flatter a woman."

 

     "It's not shameless flattery, Joy.  It's the truth," A.J. stated as he studied the stylish woman across from him.  He doubted that she had put on more than ten pounds since high school, and that extra weight gain did her justice, filling out her figure in all the right places.  Although Joy was the same age as Rick, meaning she was forty-nine, A.J. thought she could still pass for thirty-five.  The turquoise sweater and skirt outfit she wore today complemented her olive complexion.  The bits of gray that were beginning to sprinkle her dark hair only enhanced her looks in A.J.'s opinion.

 

     The blond man elaborated with, "And it's my way of saying thank you for helping Rick through high school.  My worst nightmare would have become a reality had he still been in Mrs. Bartlett's class when I got there."

 

     Joy could only laugh as A.J.'s comment caused the brothers to once again get into a verbal scuffle.   While the brothers sparred, Joy thought back with fondness to her high school years and the fun she'd had with Rick.  They had dated on and off throughout those years, though not seriously.  She could still recall many an afternoon spent in Cecilia Simon's kitchen doing homework with Rick...well, doing her homework while Rick kept her entertained with jokes, stories, and amusing antics.  These actions would prompt Mrs. Simon to pop in the room to scold Rick and order him to, "Get going on that school work, young man.  I certainly wish some of Joy's study habits would rub off on you."  And then on many a day, when it came time for Rick to walk Joy home, A.J. would tag along, or ride ahead of them on his bike.

 

     The brothers had evidently called a truce while Joy was somewhere in the past.  Rick caught her attention by asking, "What brings you down this way, sweetie?  Is everything okay with your folks?"

 

     Joy smiled.  "Oh, yes, they're fine.  Very active yet.  As a matter of fact, so active that I rarely get a chance to get down here to visit them.  They drive up to see the girls and me every couple of months."    

 

     "I guess that explains why you never come see us," Rick pouted.  "At least now I know it's not A.J.'s stinky aftershave that's kept you away."

 

     A.J. ignored his brother. Instead he asked politely of the woman, "Speaking of your girls, how are they?"

 

     "Great.  Doing wonderfully in school, both of them.  Molly's just finished her junior year at U.C.L.A.--"

 

     "No," Rick denied with disbelief as his mind's eye pictured a pigtailed twelve-year-old with knobby knees, braces, and the promise of someday being the spitting image of her mother.

 

     "Yes, Rick, that's how long it's been since you've been up to my place," Joy scolded.  "She's majoring in art and freestyle drawing."

 

     "Oh, an artist like her mother," A.J. commented.

 

     "Well, our techniques are somewhat different, and she has loftier goals that I ever had, A.J., but yes, Molly's inherited her mother's talent.  With a little maturity and experience her talent will far surpass mine someday.  She didn't come home to live this summer because she was hired to do a series of wall murals for several state owned offices in L.A."

 

     "Good for her," Rick praised.  "And I suppose Lauren's all grown up, too.  Or at least not still wearing diapers like she was the last time I was up your way."

 

     "No, she's long out of diapers.  She's eleven now, a good student, in more activities than I can keep track of, and seems to be a popular girl with her classmates.  She was president of her sixth grade class this past year - an accomplishment she was quite proud of."

 

     "And her mother was proud, too, no doubt," A.J. smiled.

 

     "No doubt," Joy agreed with a slight blush.

 

     Before the small talk could take up anymore time, Joy came to the point of her visit.  "It's because of Lauren that I'm here, actually.  I'd like to hire you both if you're available and willing to take my case."

 

     Although neither brother was expecting a request of this type, they both agreed immediately.

 

"Of course we'll take your case," Rick said.

 

“Sure we will," A.J. confirmed.

 

     Joy held up her hands in a gesture meant to indicate, ‘slow down.’ 

 

"Now wait a minute, guys.  Before you make a commitment I think you should hear what the job involves."  Subtly eyeing A.J.'s expensive sport coat, she added, "I'll understand if either one of you says no."

 

     "Why don't you start by telling us why you need to hire us?" A.J. invited.  "I can't imagine that either Rick or I will turn you down."

 

     Joy smiled wickedly.  "Even if it means sleeping in a barn with forty kids ranging in age from nine to eighteen, plus somewhere in the neighborhood of eighty sheep?"

 

     Joy laughed at the twin expressions of confusion on both brothers' faces.  "Maybe I should explain,"  she offered.

 

     With trepidation, A.J. agreed.  "Maybe you should."

 

     "As you both know, I've been divorced from Lauren and Molly's father for seven years now."

 

     Rick and A.J. nodded.

 

     "I never really told you why I divorced Bill, Rick.  Actually, our problems went back a lot farther than most people know.  It wasn't long after Molly was born that I knew I had made a mistake where marriage to Bill was concerned.  Molly was only nine months old when I had my first big success with my artwork.  It became apparent very quickly that Bill was jealous of that success, and of the good fortune I continued to have from there on out.  The fact that I brought more money into our home than he did became the source of most of our arguments. I repeatedly tried to tell him that it didn't matter to me. That I viewed it as our money, not just my money, but no one could tell Bill much of anything.  Molly was just two when the cycle of Bill not holding down a job began.  Even though he had a business degree and is very intelligent, he'd work three or four months, then quit and be out of work that long or even longer.  He began smoking pot, something he hadn't done since college.  I wouldn't let him smoke it in the house, but you can imagine how I felt about that when we had a young child.  From there, things between us began to crumble pretty quickly."

 

     Rick rose at the end of Joy's narrative and retrieved cold sodas from the refrigerator for each of them.  Joy replied with, "Thank you," before continuing with her story.

 

     "I finally made up my mind to divorce Bill after twelve years of this nonsense. By then I had come to realize he was never going to change.  Never going to be the man that I had once thought he was.  Then...well, I got pregnant with Lauren.  An unplanned pregnancy was not what I needed right then, believe me, but I naively tried to tell myself that this new baby would turn things around for us.  That somehow Lauren's birth would change Bill for the better."

 

     Having heard similar stories in the past, A.J. interjected, "But it didn't."

 

     "No, it didn't," Joy reflected sadly.  "When she was four and Molly was fourteen, I filed for divorce.  It was all very amiable at the time.  Bill wasn't working, so I didn't even press for child support payments.  I was making more than enough money to support the girls and myself, so rather than have the whole thing drag out in court and hard feelings erupt, I just let it drop.  Plus, I got the house, of course." 

 

Joy gave a cynical laugh.  "But the money I had worked so hard for built it, so I suppose I was entitled to the house.  Believe me, he never contributed one red cent to it."

 

     Rick thought of the beautiful, large log home he had visited nine years earlier.  Joy had designed it herself and done a spectacular job in his opinion. Of course, having several hundred thousand dollars on hand to put into a home didn't hurt anything either.  Joy's artistic abilities had served her well over the years.  Rick had no doubt that she was probably among the most successful, financially speaking, of his former classmates.

 

     Before Joy could get off on a tangent by relaying all of her ex-husband's faults, A.J. said with a smile, "I'm not sure I understand how all of this ties into a large number of children, sheep, and sleeping in a barn."

 

     Joy chuckled.  "Well, it does, A.J.  Believe it or not, it all has to do with Bill in a round about way."

 

     "Lay it on us then,” Rick said.  “We're all ears."

 

     "I got custody of the girls in the divorce proceedings, Bill got weekend and holiday visitation rights.  That lasted about four months, then, he stopped coming to pick them up.  The first few times it happened I called him, but he always had some excuse.  Then one day when I called his apartment I got no answer.  That pattern continued for several days until I found out that, once again, he had quit his job.  He had packed up the apartment and just...disappeared."

 

     "Foul play?"  Rick asked.

 

     "No.  At first I worried about that, but then he got in touch with his sister.  He told her he was going to travel for a while, and that was it. I never heard from him again."

 

     "He didn't keep in contact with the girls?"  A.J. asked.

 

     "No.  It was like he had dropped off the face of the earth.  He didn't even send them so much as a birthday or Christmas card in almost seven years time.  Until two months ago."

 

     "What happened two months ago?"  Rick asked.

 

     "Lauren began receiving letters from Bill.  Letters with no return address from various places around the country.  Letters saying things like, 'Daddy has a nice house now.  Daddy's working again.  Wouldn't you like to come live with Daddy?'  I found it all rather strange and threatening in a very subtle way.  Then the other day he called Molly at her apartment in L.A.  This is the first time he's made contact with her since she was fifteen."

 

     "What did he say to her?" 

 

     "He asked her how she was.  What she was studying in college - small talk of that nature.  That in itself doesn't really bother me, although I do find it strange that suddenly he's taking an interest in his daughters again after seven years of silence.  What does have me worried, is the way he ended his conversation with Molly that day."

 

     "How was that?"  A.J. inquired.

 

     "By asking Molly if she thought Lauren would be happy living with him."

 

     "What'd Molly tell him?" came from Rick.

 

     "That she thought Lauren would love to have a visit from him, would love to have the opportunity to get to know him, but that she was happy living with me.  Molly then reminded Bill that I had custody of Lauren, not him."

 

     "Did he say anything to that?"  A.J. asked.

 

     "No.  Molly said he just got very quiet, then said goodbye and hung up."

 

     Several thoughts were racing through Rick's mind.  "Has there been any other incidents recently, Joy?  Anything at all that might indicate to you what he's up to?"

 

     Joy nodded.  "Bill's sister, Sharon, called me yesterday.  She, as well as Bill’s mother, live in Utah.  Although the girls and I only see them once or twice a year, I've always had a good relationship with both women.  Sharon has four boys and has always spoiled my girls whenever she gets the opportunity.  Anyway, Bill paid her a surprise visit last weekend.  She said he made several comments about wanting to see Molly and Lauren, and wanting to have Lauren come live with him.  At first Sharon didn't take him too seriously, but when he kept talking about it, she did as Molly had - reminded Bill that I had custody of Lauren."

 

     A.J. was puzzled.  "What's his motive here?  I mean, for seven years he has no contact whatsoever with his kids, and now he's talking about having Lauren with him on a permanent basis."

 

     "Frankly, A.J., I haven't a clue," Joy admitted.  "As I told you, Bill has always been jealous of me, and not just of my work.  Of all aspects of my life.  Sharon said he made several comments like, 'Joy's got everything.  The money, the fancy house, the career, and my girls.  I bet she's turned them against me.  I bet she's made my girls hate me.'  Which is not true, by the way.  I never badmouthed Bill in front of the girls.  I was the one who was hoping he'd someday get his act together and come back into their lives.  I never imagined it would be in this manner though."

 

     "Have you talked to your local police about this?"  A.J. asked.

 

     "Yes, and while they were very sympathetic and understanding of my concerns, there's not much they can do about, as the cop put it, 'idle threats.'"

 

     A.J. nodded.  "I figured as much.  How about your lawyer?"

 

     "I saw her yesterday.  She said there is a possibility, based on the things Bill said to Molly and Sharon, and the threatening tone of his letters to Lauren, that a judge would grant a petition barring him from seeing Lauren at all."

 

     "I think that's where you should start then," A.J. advised.  "I realize something like that can take a while to get through the court system, but at least if a judge grants such a motion the police can get involved if Bill comes on your property, or tries to see or contact Lauren."

 

     Seeing Rick's nod of agreement, Joy said, "All right.  If that's what the two of you recommend.  I'll go see my lawyer about it as soon as I return home."

 

     "Good," A.J. stated, then with a trace of humor asked again, "Now, how does this tie in with forty kids, numerous sheep, and Rick and me sleeping in a barn?"

 

     "Well, guys, unlike my ultra-feminine Molly; my Lauren is a tomboy.  Her first love is animals, so several years ago when she got involved in 4-H I had a small barn built on my place for the three rabbits and one goat she had acquired.  That menagerie has now grown to thirty rabbits, three goats, more ducks than I can count, twenty laying hens, one rooster, two geese, and eight sheep."

 

     "And she takes care of all these animals by herself?"  Rick asked with admiration.

 

     "Yes, she sure does," the proud mother said.  "Through what she's been taught in 4-H she's become quite the little business woman.  Every fall she advertises and sells her ducks for holiday meal tables.  She sells her rabbits for meat year round, and eggs from her hens as well.”

 

"Gee, Rick, it sounds like Lauren makes more money than you do," A.J. quipped.

 

     Rick sneered at his brother before saying to Joy, "She sounds like quite the little entrepreneur."

 

     "She is.  But more importantly, she loves it all and is learning from it.  She's due to go up to the state fair at Sacramento with her 4-H club in two weeks.  She shows her sheep up there along with the rest of the kids in the animals project."

 

     Rick had guessed what was coming next.  "And you want A.J. and me to go up there with her."

 

     "I want to hire you and A.J. to go up there with her, Rick.  Aside from the 4-H leader and her husband, usually six to eight other parents serve as chaperones. I've always gone in the past, but this year I have a big art show scheduled for that same week in San Francisco.  I wish I could cancel it, especially with all this mess that's come up concerning Bill, but I can't.  My income for the entire year depends on this show.  I feel like a lousy mother, but I've got Molly's tuition, the mortgage payment,

the--"

 

     "Stop it," Rick ordered.  "You're not a lousy mother.  You're here, aren't you?  Getting protection for your child."

 

     Joy nodded.  "Yes, I'm here.  It's just that...well, you understand how I feel I'm sure.  I could keep Lauren home this year, but she's worked so hard for this show.  The kids plan for it all year.  I hate to take that away from her based on something that might not even happen.  Maybe I'm being paranoid.  Maybe Bill's threats are idle ones, but I just can't help but worry that he'll show up in Sacramento and try to run off with her.  I didn't know who else to turn to.  There's no one else I'd entrust with my daughter's safety but the two of you."

 

     Rick reached over and gave Joy's hand a squeeze while A.J. asked, "Does he know about the fair?  That Lauren shows animals up there every year?"

 

     "Yes, he does.  Sharon told him in the course of casual conversation - you know, while bringing him up to date on the girls' activities.  In one of the letters Lauren received he said he'd see her at the fair."

 

     "That doesn't sound like an idle threat to me," Rick muttered. "How much of this have you discussed with Lauren?"

 

     "All of it.  I've been as honest with her as I can be, while at the same time trying to hide my fear.  I don't want my fear to be passed on to her, nor do I want her to harbor ill feelings toward her father."

 

     "Have you discussed with Lauren what she should do if Bill should somehow try to kidnap her?"  A.J. asked.

 

     "Yes.  I've reinforced things she's been taught in school, as well as things we've discussed at home concerning strangers.  Ironic, isn't it?  That the faceless, menacing stranger would turn out to be her father."

 

     "Maybe not," A.J. commented.  "I hate to bring up other possibilities, but he could get someone to do it for him. Someone Lauren wouldn't recognize.  You've done the right thing by being honest with her.  And, after all these years, would Lauren even recognize him?"

 

     Joy shrugged.  "I don't know, A.J.  We have pictures at home, of course.  She's got one of him in her room even, but it's the most current and was taken eight years ago."

 

     "What about him?"  A.J. probed.  "Would he recognize Lauren?  Does he have a recent photo?"

 

     "Yes.  Sharon gave him Lauren's latest school picture.  She had it on display at her house, and before he had aroused her suspicions, he asked Sharon if he could have it.  She had no reason to say no to him at that time."

 

     "And there's no other family members who would help him with this scheme?"  Rick asked.

 

     "What do you mean?"

 

     A.J. explained, "Quite often in a situation such as this, a family member aids in the abduction, or provides a home for the child to be hidden in."

 

     Joy shook her head.  "No. No one.  Sharon is Bill's only sibling.  I know neither she nor her husband would help him.  Bill's father is deceased, and his mother is seventy-seven and in a nursing home.  She had a stroke two years ago that's left her unable to care for herself."

 

     "That rules out a lot of possibilities then," Rick said with satisfaction. 

 

     The trio discussed the situation another fifteen minutes, in which time the Simons assured Joy they would take her case.

 

     A.J. ended their conference by looking at this appointment calendar.  "The kids leave on Monday the twenty-second you said.  So how about if Rick and I drive up to your place after work the Friday before?  That way we can spend Saturday and Sunday getting to know Lauren.  It's going to be very important that she's comfortable with us.  I'd also like to get a feel for how much of this she understands - with your permission, of course."

 

     "That sounds fine, A.J.  You discuss with Lauren whatever you and Rick feel is necessary.  I think you'll find her to be a mature, intelligent young girl.  I'll look forward to your company.  I'll have the spare rooms ready and we can--"

 

     Both brothers protested.  "No, we won't inconvenience you," A.J. said, while Rick offered, "We'll stay at a hotel."

 

     "I won't hear of it," Joy insisted.  "I have five big bedrooms, three of which are hardly ever used.  You two will stay with Lauren and me, and that's final.  It's not very often I have overnight company other than my folks or Lauren's girlfriends.  This will be a real treat for me."

 

     "What will the neighbors say about two single men spending the night at your place?"  Rick teased.

 

     "My nearest neighbor is a half mile away, Rick, so I doubt if anyone will even notice.  And if they do, I'll just say I've hired two very handsome models to pose for a sketch I'm working on."

 

     "Works for me," Rick agreed while A.J. laughed.

 

     The blond man had one last question that suddenly came to mind.  "Since neither you nor Rick has said anything to the contrary, I assume Bill's never met Rick, or seen a picture of him?"

 

     Joy shook her head.  "No never.  Rick was in Vietnam when Bill and I were married.  He visited me once right after he got out of the service, but Bill was gone with some buddies on a fishing trip at that time.  When he stopped by nine years ago Bill was out in Utah visiting his mother.  I never even mentioned Rick too often. At least not once we were married.  As I said, Bill was very jealous.  I learned early on in my relationship with him never to bring up past boyfriends.  Even one like Rick, who was more of a best friend, than a boyfriend."

 

     "Boy, now she tells me," Rick pouted.

 

     Joy leaned over and gave the pouting detective a kiss on the cheek.  "Don't try to pull that act on me, Rick Simon.  You spent more time with Carlos and that motorcycle of yours than you ever spent with me."

 

     Rick eyed Joy appreciatively, "Yeah, and now I sure can't figure out why."   

 

     From that point, things were quickly wrapped up.  At the end of the discussion Rick rose and urged Joy to stand as well. 

 

"Now I'm gonna treat you to lunch.  There's a great little seafood place down on the beach.  It's quiet, and the atmosphere is just what the doctor ordered for people with too many worries on their mind.  And we aren't going to talk business.  This is strictly for pleasure."

 

     Joy laughed at Rick's enthusiasm.  "Okay, if you insist."

 

     "I do."

 

     Joy turned to see A.J. still seated at his desk.  "A.J., aren't you coming?"

 

     "No, you two go ahead.  You've got old times you want to catch up on."

 

     "And you're a part of those old times, so come on," Joy encouraged while walking over to the seated blond and pulling him up by the arm.

 

     "Yeah, come on, A.J.," Rick invited.  "You always were taggin' along with me and Joy whether I wanted you to or not.  Why should today be any different?"

 

     As the threesome walked out the door A.J. revealed, "The only reason I tagged along was because Joy's dad paid me twenty five cents to make sure you behaved like a gentleman."  

 

     "He did not!"

 

     "Oh yes, he did."

 

     "A.J., you're full of it.  He's full of it, isn't he, Joy?"

 

     "Well..."

 

     "What's that supposed to mean?"  Rick questioned.

 

     "Um...Rick...my dad really did pay A.J. to make sure you behaved like a gentleman.  I didn't know it at the time.  I found out about it long after I was out of high school and--"

 

     "A.J.!  A.J., you'd better run, 'cause when I catch you..."

 

     Joy laughed all the way to the parking lot. She shook her head as she watched Rick chase A.J. round and round the Camaro until she finally intervened, admonishing her old friends to behave themselves.  There was a lot more laughter, and a lot more admonishments from Joy, before lunch was over that day and the three went their separate ways.

 

The Simons walked Joy to her car.  They promised the woman they'd see her again in two weeks right before she pulled out of the parking lot and headed for her parents’ house, where she had to pick up Lauren before making the journey home.

 

 

S&S     S&S     S&S     S&S     S&S     S&S

 

 

     Everything Rick had told A.J. regarding Joy's home proved to be true.  But description alone couldn't do the large, sprawling log house justice.  Joy and her girls had a spectacular view of the property's twenty wooded acres from all the rooms of the house due to the large windows each one contained.  Each room was tastefully and comfortably decorated and furnished, many of the walls stenciled with designs drawn and painted by Molly and Joy.

 

     It was after nine on Friday evening when Rick and A.J. arrived.  They met Lauren and chit chatted with her briefly about her animals and the upcoming fair, then she was sent off to bed so the adults could relax together over coffee and cake in Joy's big country kitchen.

 

     The weekend proved to be enjoyable for all.  The Simon brothers thoroughly enjoyed their time in the country, and their vivacious little eleven-year-old hostess.

 

     By lunch time on Saturday Rick and A.J. had been introduced to all of Lauren's animals, helped her collect, wash, sort, and carton the eggs, feed and water chickens, sheep, goats, ducks, and rabbits.  They also aided her in chasing a stray tomcat out of the hen house.

 

     In the afternoon Lauren gave the brothers the grand tour of her mother's property, leading them through woods, a grassy meadow, and over a small stream that ran into a creek.

 

     Both Rick and A.J. found Lauren to be an outgoing, happy, mature child, and like her mother had said, quite a tomboy.  In her baggy black shorts, white t-shirt that proclaimed, L.A. LAKERS, and black high top sneakers, the fine boned, petite girl with the short blond wedge style hair cut could easily have been mistaken for a nine or ten year old boy.  Or at least until she smiles, A.J. thought.  The smile emphasized her pretty features, giving away the fact that this wannabe boy was someday going to be a knock out in the department of feminine looks.

 

     Lauren and Rick quickly formed a fast and firm bond, partly based on the fact that Rick was an old high school friend of her mother's, thereby prompting the young girl to drill Rick insistently with questions pertaining to Joy's teen years.  Rick's natural love for animals came through clearly to Lauren as well, giving her another reason to immediately take to him.

 

     Of A.J., Lauren wasn't so sure.  She quickly picked up on the fact that while he was enjoying his time spent in the country, he was not a country boy.  She found it amusing when A.J. got 'strict' with Rick, scolding him for this or that.  She also found the blond man easy to talk to, just as she did Rick.  It didn't take Lauren long to feel comfortable with A.J., almost as comfortable as she felt with Rick, yet not quite.  She held back a little, not too sure of the alien feelings that stirred somewhere deep inside her when she studied the blond detective from across the room.

 

     By Sunday evening the Simons had spent enough time with Lauren to feel assured that she trusted them and would do as they told her to without question over the next four days.  They had also gained insight as to how much she understood about the potential problems they might face at the fair, and how she felt about that.  Although Lauren was upset that the father she didn't really even know might try to kidnap her, she had a child's complete faith in the adults her mother had hired to protect her.  She was excited enough about the upcoming 4-H show to be able to push the adults' concerns and worries to the back of her young and busy mind.

    

______________________

 

     At seven on Monday morning two of Lauren's sheep, Virginia and Lucky, were loaded on a large stock trailer that came to Joy's house.  The girl's sheep joined other sheep from her 4-H club that were to be exhibited at the state fair.  The trucker and his helpers had started well before dawn that morning, and Lauren's sheep were the last to go on.  The bleating of eighty  sheep could be heard as the big truck made its way down the long driveway, headed for the expressway that would take it to Sacramento.

 

     Ten minutes later the Simons, Joy, and Lauren, pulled out of the driveway in Joy's car.  They were headed for the local grade school where the club members were to meet.

 

     The sleeping bags, cots, suitcases, and show chests were loaded into a trailer that one of the father-chaperones was pulling behind his pickup truck to Sacramento. 

 

     Amidst goodbyes and admonishments to 'behave yourself,' and 'have a good time this week,' one after the other of the 4-H kids climbed on board the school bus that would take them north to the fair grounds.

 

     Rick and A.J. were quietly introduced to the 4-H leader and her husband, Beverly and Allan Timmons.  They were the only two people, aside from Lauren, who knew Rick and A.J.'s real purpose for being along on this trip.  As far as everyone else was concerned, Rick and A.J. Simon were extension agents employed by the 4-H council whose main headquarters were in, as luck would have it, San Diego. As Bev explained to her club members, "The Simon brothers are spending the summer with various 4-H clubs, seeing how well organized they are, how well run - things of that type.  They will also be acting as chaperones while they're with us on this trip, so keep in mind, what they say goes."

 

     While Rick and A.J. were being introduced to the other chaperones, Joy was saying goodbye to Lauren.

 

     "You have a good time this week, sweetheart.  I know Lucky and Virginia will do well for you.  Just remember to smile when you're in the show ring and look confident."

 

     With an air typical of a child who's been told these same things too many times in recent days, Lauren assured, "I will, Mom."

 

     Joy hugged her daughter tightly.  "You do everything Rick and A.J. tell you to.  Don't go anywhere without one of them with you."

 

     "Mom, you've told me that about a hundred times already.  I know.  I will.  I promise.  Don't worry so much.  Everything's gonna be okay.  I gotta go.  The bus is ready to leave."

 

     The hardest thing Joy had ever done up to this point in her life, came when she had to kiss her daughter goodbye and send her off to a situation that was so uncertain.

 

     As the blond waif ran full speed for the bus, Joy wiped at her tears with the back of one hand.  Rick and A.J. approached, causing Joy to smile self-consciously.  "It looks like she's holding up better than her mother."

 

     "Kids are tough," Rick commented while listening to the laughter coming from the bus.  "And you've got yourself a very strong little girl in that one."

 

     "She'll be fine, Joy.  We won't let anything happen to her,"  A.J. promised as he hugged the woman goodbye.

 

     "I know you won't," she agreed.

 

     Rick took his turn for a goodbye hug and kiss, saying softly in Joy's ear, "Hey, do you actually think I'd let down the girl who got me through old lady Bartlett's English class?”

 

     Joy couldn't help but laugh.  "No...no, I don't."

 

     "All right then.  Dry those tears and quit your worryin.’  I'll take care of Lauren as if she were my own."

 

“I know you will, Rick.  Thank you."

 

     The brothers turned and boarded the bus that was filled with excited, chattering young people. 

 

     Joy stood with a group of other parents in the school parking lot, waving goodbye until the bus was out of sight. 

The artist tried to keep her worries at bay as she got in her car and headed in the opposite direction the bus had turned in.  Her destination, San Francisco and her art show.

 

 

______________________

   

 

     Rick was never so happy to get off a bus as he was when that 4-H bus pulled up next to one of the sheep barns at the state fair grounds.  Under his breath, Rick grumbled to his brother, "I didn't know forty kids could be so damn noisy.  Isn't there some law about silence on a school bus?"