This story is purely a work of fiction. Any resemblance to person's living or dead, or to events that may have occurred, is purely coincidental.
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Mark Stevens
Chapter Four
Britt and Devon were sitting at the breakfast table discussing their day. Brian and Alice were returning from their honeymoon that afternoon. The newly married couple had been gone on their honeymoon for ten days.
"I'm going to drop by their house and make sure everything is ready for Alice and Brian's arrival," Devon said.
"I wonder if they are ready to come home," Britt mused. "After all, as much as I love Porterville, it can't compare to a luxury cruise and everything that comes with it."
"Yes, but nothing is better than coming home," Devon reminded. "That's the greatest feeling ever," he added.
Changing the subject Devon asked, "What about you? Have you come up with an outline for a new book?"
"I have." Britt reached across the table and gave Devon's hand a pat. "Thanks to Jerry Poteet, that is. I am going to use the story he told us the day of Brian and Alice's wedding. The one about the old lady falling out of her wheel chair," Britt said pulling his hand away.
"I must admit, knowing you the way I do, I can certainly imagine a murder mystery forming in your head." Devon pushed his chair back and stood to his feet. "My day is calling me. Enjoy your day as well," he said leaning over to give Britt a kiss.
Britt spent the morning working on his latest book project. Thanks to the new family friend, Jerry Poteet, the outline for his new story was falling into place rather smoothly.
Around noon Britt received a telephone call from Devon. He greeted the man with a "How's the greatest man in my life?"
"You certainly know how to make my day, Love."
Devon explained the reason for his phone call. "Would you do me a favor, Britt? With everything we've had going on, I completely forgot to drop by Kathy Applebee's shop and pay her for catering the wedding. Would you mind doing that today? I hate to bother you. I know you're finally getting into your new story."
"No bother at all," Britt assured his lover. "I'll take care of it this afternoon."
The two finished their conversation, and Britt returned to work. He had worked out the first chapter of his new book, and began typing furiously on his laptop. An hour later he had most of it written and found his mind beginning to pause. He decided it was a good time to take a break and deliver Kathy Applebee's money to her. He closed his laptop and drove into town.
Arriving inside Porterville city limits, Britt drove to the town square and found a parking space in front of Applebee's shop. As he stepped inside the business, Britt was greeted with a delicious sweet smell. Besides catering for many of the events in Porterville, Kathy also ran a pastry shop. She had been baking for the people of Porterville for many years and her treats had become very popular.
Behind the counter, a woman greeted Britt and asked how she could help him.
Britt explained the reason for his visit and asked if Kathy Applebee was there.
"She out on business at the moment. I can take your money for the wedding reception. I'll make sure that she gets it."
As Britt handed the woman his check, he said, "I don't believe we've met. I'm Britt Williams."
As the woman took his check, she said, "My name is LaDonna Fields. Nice to meet you, Mr. Williams," she added.
"Have you been in Porterville long?"
"About six weeks," the woman answered. She handed Britt a receipt for his payment.
"Well, welcome to Porterville, LaDonna." Britt refrained from asking the woman where she was from originally. "It was nice to meet you."
Britt left the pastry shop. He hadn't talked with his mother for a few days and decided to drop by and check on her.
He pulled into Catherine Williams' drive a short time later. He shut his car engine off and remained behind the wheel. Taking in the view of the house where he had grown up, he realized nothing much had changed. Other than a few coats of paint over the years and a few improvements and changes in landscape, everything was just the same as Britt had always remembered.
Smiling, he got out of his car and headed for the house. He opened the door and called out, "Anyone home?"
His mother was walking down the hall as her son announced his arrival. She greeted him with a smile and planted a kiss on his cheek.
"Mom, how many times have I told you to be more careful? These days it's just not safe to leave your door unlocked."
"This is Porterville," she scoffed at her son. "You don't live in Oklahoma City anymore," she reminded him.
"You're right, this is Porterville. Have you forgotten that we've had people murdered in this town?"
Catherine led the way into her living room where she and Britt took a seat. She offered him something to drink.
Britt declined. Then he said, "I went by Kathy Applebee's shop to pay the catering bill for Brian and Alice's wedding. Tell me, do you know the woman working in her shop?"
"Until I became involved with the planning of Alice's wedding, I never knew the woman existed. She seemed to be a big help to Kathy during the kid's wedding reception."
The term "kids" brought a smile to Britt's face.
"Really, Mom? Kids?"
"They are kids," his mother pointed out, "just like you and Devon. You're all my kids."
"You're the best," Britt praised his mother.
"What time do you expect Brian and Alice to be back in town?" she asked.
The doorbell rang. Britt jumped to his feet and went to the door. He was greeted by Mr. and Mrs. Brian Poteet. Britt hugged Alice and shook her new husband's hand.
"I think I have the answer to your question, Mom," he called over his shoulder.
Catherine joined her son at the door and gave both Alice and Brian a hug.
"Come in this house," she said stepping away from the door. "We want to hear all about your trip."
Britt called Devon and told the man his sister and brother-in-law were back in town. Half an hour later he walked through Catherine's door and greeted the newlyweds. He hugged his sister and gave Brian a hearty handshake.
An hour quickly flew by as the young married couple filled the others in on their trip. It had been a wonderful experience and the two of them were grateful to Britt for making it all possible.
As they were leaving, Britt asked, "Are you anxious to return to work, Brian?"
Brian gave his new wife a quick look before answering. "Yeah, I think so."
"I heard that, Brian Poteet," Alice admonished her new husband. Then smiling, she said, "He can't help it. The man just naturally loves crime."
"Loves stopping crime, don't you mean?" Catherine defended the newest member of her "family".
"Yeah, we can all sleep better now that Brian's back on the job," Devon teased his new brother-in-law.
"I won't have to lock the door to my house now," Catherine said as they followed the couple out to their car.
Ever the policeman, Brian asked, "Just what does that mean?"
Britt explained the meaning of his mother's words.
"Britt's right," Brian said leaning over and giving the older woman a kiss on the cheek. "We don't live in the same world we used to," he added.
"Maybe you don't. However, I do, Chief Poteet," Britt's mother assured the police chief.
"See how she is," Britt said giving his mother a smile. "It does no good trying to reason with her."
Catherine stood in her drive waving as her guests departed, each going to their own home. Brian and Alice were heading to the home they would share until their new house was finished. Devon headed back to his office to tie up some loose ends before the business day ended. Britt drove back to the cabin to work on his book. He hoped to have it finished by the time Devon joined him.
To all of them, everything seemed as it should be. Different people from different walks of life, yet, they had one thing in common. Their love for each other. Britt had Devon, and Alice had Brian. Catherine Williams? Well, she had them all, loved them all as if they were her own. She loved them almost as much as she did her only son.
Little did any of them know that soon this peaceful feeling they were all experiencing, was to change. For a time, it would seem like a different world to them all.
Chapter Five
Brian and Alice Poteet had been home only a few days from their honeymoon when Britt and Devon hosted a dinner party for the couple. Edna, the McKenzie cook, had prepared a wonderful meal, enjoyed by everyone sitting around the dining room table. The meal was over now, and the guests had moved to the living room.
"We have our wedding pictures if you would like to see them," Alice told them.
"How lovely," Catherine Williams said. "I would love to see them."
Alice picked up a photo album from the coffee table in front of her. She passed it first to Britt's mother. As she studied each photograph, Catherine was very impressed.
"I must admit, Sam Taylor's new man did a great job of taking your pictures," Britt spoke up.
"My dad was very impressed with the man's work," Brian declared. "So much that he sent a few of the pictures to the Arkansas Times in Little Rock."
"That will really please Parker Nathan Brown," Devon said.
Catherine looked up from the photo album in her hands. "Nathan Brown?"
That's the name of Sam's new employee," Alice explained.
When Britt had first moved back to his home town, Alice had been working for Sam Taylor, owner of the Beacon Newspaper in Porterville. Even though she no longer worked for the man, she still remained in touch with her former boss.
"Dad took several pictures of the wedding and a few of the reception," Brian told them.
"He must be so proud," Catherine said as she handed the album to Devon. "I know that I am," she added.
"Your dad wants to let your home town know how important you've become," Britt said with a grin.
"I'm not so sure about that," Brian replied. "Although he's never said anything, I think he would have liked to see me working in Little Rock."
"There would be a better chance for advancement in a big city like Little Rock," Britt suggested.
"Exactly. He's mentioned those very words several times since I began working in Porterville."
"Are you happy here, Brian?" Catherine asked.
Brian looked at Alice. "Very," he answered.
Britt's mother shrugged her shoulders. "That's all any parent wants for their child; for them to be happy." She looked across the room and gave her son a big smile.
Britt returned the smile but didn't say anything. He didn't need to. Anyone in the room could look at him and tell that he was as happy as was humanly possible.
"I've been very fortunate," Brian said. "Even during my teenage years I had a good relationship with my dad."
The rest of the evening continued in the same leisurely way. The joking and laughter going around the room would have made it clear to anyone looking in from the outside realize just how much this small group loved each other. They truly were a family.
Much later, after everyone had left and Britt and Devon were straightening things up, the two discussed the evening.
"It amazes me that we're all growing so close," Britt said to Devon. "Rather than feeling like good friends, it feels like we're one big family."
"Well, it is family," Devon replied. "There's the two of us, and your mother. We're a family. Then there is Alice and Brian. Alice is my sister. So that makes her husband my brother-in-law. So, indirectly, we are a family."
Britt stopped in front of Devon and gave him a kiss. "I am definitely glad that you are in my family," he said stepping back.
"Then there is your mother," Devon said. "Catherine is the heart of this `family'. She keeps everyone focused. I do love that woman."
"Well, there's no doubt. She loves you, Devon McKenzie."
"It seems odd, but in a way, I feel as if I grew up without a mother. And when I fell in love with you, I gained a mother."
Thinking of the couple that raised Devon, Britt couldn't have agreed more. Elaine McKenzie was probably the coldest person with whom he had ever come in contact.
Sensing Devon might becoming low in spirit, Britt said, "Don't you dare tell her, but, yes, Mom is a great lady. And I honestly feel that she loves you as much as she loves me."
"Does that bother you, Britt?" There was a look of concern suddenly in Devon's eyes.
"Hell no. Mom has enough love to share equally between us. That includes Alice and Brian as well. Let's face it, the woman is crazy about all of us."
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
The following afternoon Britt was sitting at his desk, his fingers flying over the keys of his laptop. Once he finally got the plot of his new story clear in his mind, he had no problem putting the words together. He was so lost in his fantasy world that it startled him when Devon suddenly stood in the doorway.
"Hey. What brings you home so early?" Britt greeted. "The boss give you the rest of the afternoon off?" The joke he made brought a smile to Devon's face.
Devon walked into the room and stopped in front of his lover's desk. He was silent for a moment. He finally said, "Britt."
Seeing the strange look on his partner's face, Britt suddenly stood to his feet. He walked around the desk.
"What is it, Devon? What's wrong?"
"We need to be at the hospital. Catherine's had an accident."
The color suddenly drained from Britt's face. His heart began racing in his chest, and he suddenly found it hard to breathe.
"What happened?"
Devon led the man out of the room, talking as they headed for the stairs. He told Britt that his mother was walking across Main Street in downtown Porterville when a car suddenly came out of nowhere, hitting Catherine without any warning.
While driving to the hospital, Devon told Britt that he had received a telephone call from Brian who told him that Catherine had been taken by ambulance to the Porterville hospital.
"That's all I know," Devon finished. "I guess this new officer, Chris Vaughn recognized Catherine and called Brian. Brian then called me. He should be over at the hospital now."
Britt's heart continued to race, the sound making it hard for him to hear the words Devon was saying.
"How...is..." No other words came out of his mouth.
Devon reached over and placed his hand over his lover's. "She's alive. That's all I know, Love. I'm so sorry, I wish I knew more."
Minutes later, which in reality, felt like hours, Devon pulled into the hospital parking lot. He killed the car engine and exited the vehicle. He waited, but Britt made no effort to open the car door.
Devon walked to Britt's side of the car and opened the door.
"Come on, Britt. We need to find Catherine."
As if suddenly coming awake, Britt planted his feet on the pavement of the parking lot. As he and Devon made their way toward the entrance to the hospital, Britt found his feet to feel so heavy that he had a hard time putting one in front of the other. His body was filled with dread, caused by what he might find when they finally reached his mother. He took Devon's hand and quietly walked through the revolving door and headed down the long hallway.