Chapter 9
The news of the meeting to discuss the unexpected new residents of Sandley had assured that angry citizens would fill the community center. Silas stood in the back corner of the room, listening to several men speak of how they would not let a bunch of illegal aliens believe they can sneak into the United States, and then demand to stay. As he watched their tempers rise, he wondered if he would be able to keep things under control once the meeting began.
Andrew was in the backroom, filling in the members of the City Council on everything and having a difficult time keeping tempers under control.
Tim Raines, the owner of the local feed store, slammed his fist down on the table. “What do you mean there’s nothing we can do? That’s bullshit!”
Andrew looked around the table and noticed everyone nodding their heads in agreement. “I’m sorry, but there’s nothing I can do. I’ve been on the phone most of the day trying to get this resolved, and I hate to say this, but there is nothing we can do at this time.”
Terry Miller, the wife of Dr. James Miller, spoke up, “James and I were discussing this problem just last week. He has a friend who is a doctor working in one of those detention centers where they’re bringing those people. He said many are sick, and that the government is covering it up so as, not to cause a panic. What happens if they brought some horrible sickness here with them? There have been rumors of people coming here with tuberculosis, and some strange viruses. How are we supposed to protect ourselves?”
This brought the rest of the council members to their feet, with all of them talking at once.
Andrew could see the meeting was getting out of control and feared this was a sign of what was to come. “Please, sit and control yourselves. We need to remain calm, or we will not be of any help to the townsfolk.”
Realizing that he was correct, everyone sat in their chairs, all but Richard Hill.
“Andrew, I don’t know how we are supposed to calm down when our town is being invaded. I have never been the type to judge someone by the color of their skin, but I cannot condone someone breaking the law, and then being rewarded for it. I served our country for twenty years as a United States Marine. I fought in the first Gulf War and did two tours in Afghanistan before I retired. I have always believed that we were a country of laws, but somehow things have changed. I will not sit idly by and support something that I know is not right.”
Andrew waited as Richard took his seat, but when he stood in place, Andrew spoke. “I understand your concerns, and I feel the same way. I just don’t know what we can do at this time. The federal government has us over-a-barrel at, this time, so unless we want to bring their mighty arm down on us, we’ll need to play along for a while.”
Richard glared at Andrew, as though searching for any hidden deception. Finding none, he begrudgingly took his seat.
Andrew looked at the group gathered around the table and wondered how he was going to get them to remain calm once in front of the townsfolk.
“Okay, it’s almost 7 o’clock, so we need to pull ourselves together and let everyone out there know that we are going to do everything in our power to protect this town. So, if you have anything else you need to say, say it now.”
Each member glanced at the others sitting at the table and decided it was best to remain silent. Besides, no one knew what to offer to solve this problem, so each of them made the mutual decision to keep any doubts to themselves.
A cold chill seemed to fill the room as Andrew walked to the long table placed at the head of the room, and then took his place in the center chair. A low murmuring filled the room, as each council member took their seats, causing them to worry as to what the meeting would accomplish.
Andrew felt a burning anger radiate from each person gathered in the room, and he wondered how he would ever find the words to explain what had happened.
After several tense moments, Andrew reached for the small gavel on the table in front of him and pounded it on the sound block. “Please, we need to begin. We have a lot of things to cover.”
An angry voice sounded from the back of the room. “Andrew, why did you sell us out? You told us that we would all have a chance for one of those jobs!”
Another voice piped up, “Yeah, first it was the men brought in to get the plant ready, and now this. What the hell is going on, Andrew?”
Shouts of anger filled the room, as most of the residents released an onslaught of threats and profanity. Silas decided it was time to calm things down before it got out of control, and someone did something foolish.
“Everyone needs to sit and calm down. Let’s try to remember that we are all friends here.” He raised his hands, motioning that everyone needed to sit in their chairs.
As the angry murmuring began to subside, Silas turned to Andrew and said, “It’s all yours now.”
Seeing the look of appreciation on Andrew’s face, Silas winked and walked back to the corner.
Andrew looked around the room and felt a tightness growing in his chest. It surprised him how for the first time he found it difficult to speak to a crowded room. However, tonight was different. Tonight, he knew that he would not have the answers the people of Sandley wanted and needed.
He cleared his throat and took a deep calming breath before he began. “I know that everyone is upset and worried about the development at the mill. Last year when I went to meet with Mr. Timmons about building the new window design in Sandley, I never imagined that things would turn out this way.”
A low murmuring filled the room again, but this time, Andrew pressed onward. “I wish there was more I can tell you about this new development, but I’ve run into a road block. I have called the regional head office for ICE, Austin, our senator, congressional representative, and anyone else I thought might have an answer for us. My calls were met with either polite comments about how there wasn’t anything they could help me with or that I needed to contact someone else.”
Chuck Wilson jumped to his feet, not allowing Andrew to continue. “I have lived here in Sandley all of my life. My granddad settled here after WWII, where he married my nana and raised his family on the very land I live on today. I remember when Bill Jenkins came to my granddad and wanted to buy the land to build the lumber mill. It took some talkin’, but Granddad finally agreed to sell Bill the thirty acres he said he needed. It wasn’t until three years later that granddad learned that ol’ Bill sold ten acres to that window company for a hefty sum.”
Andrew interrupted Chuck, not allowing him to continue, “We’ve all heard the story of how Bill Jenkins screwed your grandfather. What does that have to do with anything today?”
Chuck bristled at the snickers filling the room. As far as he believed, his family had helped build this town, so he did not appreciate someone making him appear a fool. “I don’t want their kind living next to me that’s what’s wrong. They snuck across the border, and now they are getting OUR jobs. Do y’all know that they put up tents for them people to live in?”
A collective gasp filled the room.
“I even caught a couple of them bathing in Turkey Creek. Now tell me, how damn sanitary is that?” Chuck pointed an accusing finger at Andrew.
The room erupted with calls for action and demands for answers.
Realizing things were elevating to a dangerous point, Silas stepped forward and held up his arms. “Quiet, we need to remain calm and come to a rational decision about what we need to do. We are facing something that none of us has ever experienced before, so we need to stick together for the good of our town.”
Silas glanced at Andrew, who appeared flustered. He gave Andrew a reassuring wink before returning to his place against the back wall.
Andrew swallowed, and then cleared his throat before he resumed. “I understand your concern, Chuck, but those tents are only temporary. I learned today that the Feds will be providing them with old FEMA trailers.”
A voice shouted from
the back of the room, while others chimed in, “What the hell are you saying, Andrew?”
“What I’m saying is those people are here to stay, and it appears there is nothing we can do about it. For some reason, our federal government has decided to set those people up in our town with a job, as well as a home paid for by the American taxpayer. They will be getting the jobs at the plant, and the worst part is we can plan on more of them coming to fill the remainder of the positions in the near future. From what I understand, they will deliver the FEMA trailers within three weeks, and their contractors will be preparing the area. They informed me that the federal government is managing this, so state and local officials have no jurisdiction.”
Silence fell over the room as everyone contemplated what this news meant. Andrew sat with his shoulders slumped, feeling as though the troubles of the world rested on him at seeing the looks on their faces.
Sarah Millington stood and waited until Andrew noticed her.
“Quiet, please, Mrs. Millington has a question.” Andrew was not sure if he wanted to hear from her, as her facial expression was cold and harsh.
She cleared her throat and waited as silence filled the room. “Thank you, Andrew. As we all know, our schools have struggled to offer the children of Sandley a quality education over the years. We have done everything we could to see that our schools have only the best to offer. However, over the past few years, with the reduction in funding, it has become nearly impossible to balance our budget each year.”
Several voices chimed in, expressing their concerns.
Sarah squared her shoulders and pressed on. “Now, I’ve heard there are several children with that group of people. I want to know how we are going to afford that many new students.”
“Yeah, we can’t pay for all of those new kids.” Someone shouted from the last row of seats.
“Even if we could, it still doesn’t make it right,” Another person shouted from the seats on the right side of the room.
“We should go out there and make them leave!” Someone from the corner of the room by the entry door shouted.
A chorus of angry shouts instantly filled the room. Several men jumped to their feet, shaking their fists at the table where Andrew and the rest of the City Council members sat stunned by the outburst and concerned for their safety.
At seeing the mood in the room elevating to a dangerous point, Silas stepped forward and held up his arms. “Shut up, and sit down! I cannot believe how y’all are acting. This isn’t the time to turn into an angry mob. We need to remain calm and discuss things in a civilized manner.”
Realizing Silas was correct; the men took their seats, holding their faces downward in shame.
A few tense moments passed when suddenly from the back of the room a soft voice broke the silence. Everyone in the room turned toward the voice and was surprised to see Sheila Fletcher standing proud, with a sweet smile on her face as she recited The Lord’s Prayer.
Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done,
On earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those, who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Tears began to flow down the faces of those who just moments before were full of hate and anger. The mood of the room transformed in an instant, as everyone joined her in reciting those comforting words. To witness a woman standing strong, while facing the severe battle of cancer, reminded everyone of what was important - Life and Love.
Silas knew the town had difficult times ahead, but he was pleased to see this brief moment of unity.
Once Sheila finished, she sat in her chair and clutched her hands on her lap.
Andrew stood, and wiped a tear from his cheek before he spoke. “Thank you, Miss Sheila. Thank you for reminding us of what’s important. I know that everyone is worried, and so am I. We, as a town must now accept the unacceptable, which our government has forced on us. I wish that I had answers for each, and every one of you, but I don’t. We’re going to have to face this together as a community, and pray that we survive it. I know there are several of you who want to chase them away from here, but from what I understand, we’re stuck with them for now.”
A man in the back of the room stood and motioned that he wanted to speak, but Andrew ignored him and continued talking.
“So I want to make it clear that you are to leave those people alone. I know a couple of you, and you know who you are, are thinking of heading out there after this meeting. Well, please don’t do anything so stupid. The Feds are serious. They will arrest you, and put you in prison.”
The room had cleared, with only a few people remaining to help put the chairs away. Jen walked over to Silas, who was talking with Andrew and stood beside him.
“I have to admit that I was worried how people would take the news for a while. For a few minutes, I was convinced it was about to break out in a fight,” she said with a nervous grin.
Andrew looked at Jen and shook his head. “Yeah, I thought we were going to have a knockout fist fight for sure until Sheila…”
The three of them looked at each other and realized what a special moment the townsfolk had shared earlier. That simple act had reminded them all of what was important.
Silas broke the silence between them. “She’s a brave woman, and I know the Lord has more for her to do before she leaves this life.” Silas had always liked Sheila, and his heart ached knowing what she was facing in the coming weeks.
Andrew and Jen both nodded in agreement, and each of them said a silent prayer for Sheila’s recovery.
“Well, it looks like everything is put away. It’s late, and I’m tired. I think I’m going to head for home. Nancy stayed home with a headache, so I need to check on her.” Andrew was glad this day was over. In all his time as Mayor of Sandley, he had never felt so inadequate.
Silas looked at Andrew and saw the sadness in his eyes. “You handled yourself well tonight. I don’t think anyone here could have done any better.”
Jen nodded in agreement, and then stepped forward and gave Andrew a reassuring hug. “Everything will work out in the end. We just need to believe it. Please tell Miss Nancy that I missed her tonight, and I hope she’s feeling better.”
“I will, and thank you. I hope you’re right. I just wish I understood more about everything that has happened lately.” Andrew forced a smile, but Silas and Jen both knew his heart was not in it.
“Hey, Andrew, do you have a free moment before you leave?” A voice called out from across the room.
Andrew looked at Silas and Jen then rolled his eyes. “Sure, hold on, I’ll be there in a moment.”
He held out his hand to Silas, who accepted the handshake. “Thank you for your support in this mess. I don’t think I could have handled this alone.”
“You’re welcome. Don’t ever believe that you’re in this alone. We’re a family here in Sandley, and family sticks together through tough times, right?” Silas could see the doubt in Andrew’s eyes, but he meant every word.
Jen looked at Andrew and smiled, “He’s right. We’re all in this together. You are never alone, so stop feeling as though you are. You do understand that, don’t you?”
Andrew had always liked Jen, as she always seemed to know how to say the right thing when needed. “Yes ma’am, I understand. Thank you both for your support. Well, I guess I need to get over there and see what they need. Goodnight, you two.”
“Goodnight, Andrew,” they said in unison.
As Andrew walked away, Silas took Jen by the hand and pulled her close. “Why don’t we
head home as well? Today has been a long day, and I’m exhausted. I’d like to take a long, hot shower, have a piece of that cobbler I saw on the kitchen counter, and snuggle with my sexy lady for a while.”
He pulled her closer, nuzzling her neck, this causing her to giggle. “Silas, what are people going to think?”
He continued to molest her neck, as he playfully whispered in her ear. “They’re going to think I’m one lucky man.”
“Excuse me. Silas, do you have a free moment?”
Silas looked up to see Howard Broyles, with his wife Marie standing next to him. Both had a smile on their faces, but Marie’s cheeks glowed with the softest shade of red.
Silas released his grasp on Jen and cleared his throat. “Yes, what do you need, Howard?”
Marie and Jen’s eyes met, and at that moment, both women blushed and snickered softly.
“I want you to know that I caught a couple of those people snooping around my barn earlier. I don’t want any trouble, but they need to know to stay off my property.”
Silas groaned silently, knowing this could erupt into something messy if not handled properly. “I understand, and I’ll speak with the Officer in charge out there. I want to thank you for talking to me privately about this. We wouldn’t want to get everyone else worked up unnecessarily.”
“Well, that’s what I thought. I was going to bring it up during the meeting, but after Sheila…”
“Yeah, she saved all of us from saying or doing something rash, didn’t she?” Silas thought back to her soft voice floating on the air as she recited the Lord’s Prayer.
Howard lowered his head, as he reached out and took Marie’s hand in his. “She sure did, and she reminded us of what’s important. I cannot imagine what Craig is feeling at this time, and the children; damn it’s so unfair.”
“We just need to keep them in our prayers,” Jen chimed in.
“Yes, we do. I think that several of us ladies need to get together and help out. Maybe we can bring over meals and help with the household chores during her treatments?” Marie was the president of the local Women’s Relief Organization and had organized the relief programs after Hurricanes Rita and Ike hit the area.
“Oh, that sounds wonderful. I’m sure they will protest, but I’ll convince them.” Jen knew that Craig and Sheila would never ask for help, but she also knew this was not the time to let pride get in the way of receiving some much-needed assistance.
Silas and Howard watched their wives as they made their plans and could not help but smile. The men looked at each other, and both knew at that moment that no matter what anyone threw in their direction, the little town of Sandley would survive.
“Come on, sweetheart, it’s late. You ladies can finish your plans tomorrow,” Howard smiled as he gently tugged on Marie’s arm. He was ready to go home and relax in his comfortable chair while reading the new book he had begun a few days ago.
Silas and Jen said their goodbyes and watched as Howard and Marie walked toward the door.
“You know, I think Howard is right. It’s late, and I’d love to go home and forget all of this until tomorrow.” Silas reached out and took Jen’s hand in his.
“That’s an excellent idea. Come on, sweetheart.” Jen walked toward the door with Silas close behind.