Bridges to Burn

“We’re going to stay here a couple more days. Then, if you want, you can ride into town with us and I’ll take a look at your

car,” said Ben.

“Why don’t you come have fish dinner with us tonight,” Cindy suggested.

“Thank you, I will. As long as I make it back here before dark.”

Ben and Cindy continued on their walk, Ben shaking his head. “Do you think she’s had some trouble she’s running away

from?” he asked Cindy.

“Definitely,” was Cindy’s reply. “Not only that, but she’s an attractive young woman beneath all that grime and

dishevelment.”

A short distance past Judy’s camp they came to the outlet stream of the lake, a small, six foot wide stream that contained

many brook trout, all too tiny to keep. In another half hour they crossed the inlet stream, also bearing an abundance of

miniature-sized brook trout.

“So much for the stream fishing,” Ben commented. “If we’re to have a fish dinner tonight it might have to come from a

can.”

This proved to be the case. After returning to camp both Ben and Cindy tried to catch their dinner from the lake but this

time found the trout uncooperative. The best they could do was land two small trout not big enough to keep.

When Judy arrived at 6 o’clock Ben informed her of their lack of success. “I guess our fish dinner will be canned

spaghetti.”

Their chores completed the three sat around the campfire after setting an agreed time for Judy to leave so she would still

have daylight to see her way back to camp.

Ben, in order to get Judy talking, described how he and Cindy mad met two years ago in Montana and had declared this

their favorite state.

“In the summertime anyway,” Cindy added.

“It sounds like you’ve been very lucky,” Judy replied.

“And I gather you have not been as lucky,” said Cindy.

“No, I haven’t.”

“If it would make you feel better by talking about it we’re good listeners. I’ve found it has helped me considerably in the

past to talk about my problems. Is it man problems?”

“Only partially. It’s been a lot more than man problems. You name it, I’ve been there: drugs, pregnancy, abortion, the

whole bit. I have only myself to blame; I was weak and totally inexperienced.

“I went to Hollywood to make it big in show business. I haven’t always looked this seedy; at one time I was quite

attractive. Anyhow, to make a long story short, I got into the drug scene. I met a man who was going to help me go places.

He did that all right; he got me pregnant and I had a cheapy abortion in Mexico. I was told that if I had kept the baby full term

he would have been malformed. I that respect I was lucky.

“The abortion pushed me off the deep end so that I considered suicide. Friends tried to help but they were too much into

the life that created my problems. The next six months was the most difficult part. I left Hollywood and drifted around the

country trying to get my life back together. I managed to shake the addiction but had to go cold turkey to do it. I’ve been

clean now for about a year and intend to stay that way. But I’ve been so restless I can’t keep a job and can’t stay in one place

for more than a few months. There’s a light out there somewhere, at the end of the tunnel, but I haven’t found it yet.”

“That’s quite a story,” said Ben. “Where do you plan to go next?”

“I don’t know; making plans is difficult right now.”

Here Cindy spoke up. “I’ve been thinking that you could come stay with us until you get your act together.” Judy started to

protest but Cindy continued, “We have plenty of room and it’s a college town so you could go back to school if you wish and

begin a new life that way. Think about it and don’t be concerned that you would be imposing. If we think you are we won’t

hesitate to let you know.”

Judy had tears in her eyes when she replied, “I couldn’t do that; it would be too much of an imposition. Besides, you don’t

know me; I might be the most untrustworthy person you’ve ever met.”

“I think I’m a pretty good judge of character,” Cindy answered. “I don’t think you’ll take advantage of us, and if you do

you’ll lose the opportunity to reestablish yourself.”

“Okay, I accept your offer; but only if I get a job and pay for my keep.”

“That’s all right with me,” said Cindy.

The next day Ben waded out as far as he could without being completely immersed. By making long casts with his

spinning rod, using a lure, he caught ore than a dozen trout 12 inches or longer. Six of these he kept for the evening meal

and, after returning to camp, told Cindy, “Next time I’m bringing a boat, maybe a canoe.”

That evening Judy was again invited for a fish dinner; this time no substitute was needed. Later, as they sat around the

fire, plans were made to leave the next morning. Ben would try to get Judy’s car running and then, after a night at the trailer

park, they would head for Oregon.

* * *

As Judy had said, the problem with the car was the alternator. Ben dickered with a car parts salesman and was able to

get a rebuilt one to install. Judy parked her car near the RV park and, after a tasty dinner at a nearby restaurant, slept in the

back of Ben and Cindy’s pickup.

In the morning Ben went over the routes he planned to take, with the intention of making it to their home near Salem in

three days.

“We could do it in two if we rushed,” he stated. “But we’re not in that much of a hurry. We’ll find a campsite or RV park

after driving 5 to 6 hours each day, perhaps one with a swimming pool. Judy, you can follow close behind if you wish, or set

your own pace. If you need to stop blink your headlights three times.” He then showed Judy a map on which he had marked

several rest areas and also gave her a slip of paper with their cell phone number on it. We’ll stop at each of these rest areas

for a short rest, or for lunch, depending on the time of day. If we get separated and you have a problem call us on the cell

phone.”

As they drove Ben and Cindy talked about the changes they had noticed in Judy since first meeting her a few days ago.

“You were right as usual, Cindy; she is a beautiful young woman. I’ll bet she’s going to turn a few heads when we get home.

How about introducing her as your niece so people won’t wonder why she’s living with us?”

“Good idea,” Cindy replied.

That evening they stopped at campground on a lake near the Montana-Idaho border. All three went for a swim. Ben

noticed, and remarked about it to Cindy, that Judy’s figure was almost as good as Cindy’s.

“Almost,” he emphasized. “If she works at it and gets her body into better shape she’ll run you a close second.”

Two days later they drove into their yard and Cindy showed Judy the room which would be hers. “For as long as you

need it,” Cindy said. “And let me say again that we don’t want you to feel you’re imposing on us. We’re glad to be of help.”

It was then early September; both Ben and Cindy had made commitments during the Spring for that Fall. Ben, as he had

done the previous year, would teach an adult class in TV and video repair. In the near future he planned to add computers to

his list but felt he was not quite ready for this step.

Cindy started rehearsals in a week for a production of “Kiss Me Kate” in which she had a lead role. She talked Judy into

coming with her for the read-through rehearsal. “If there are no cast openings you can help on other aspects of the

production,” she told Judy.

Judy immediately went in search of a job, vowing to do anything that was offered until an opportunity to better herself

came along. In this respect she was lucky, a dental clinic needed a girl Friday as a receptionist, to answer the phone and do

limited filing and typing. She convinced the office manger she could do the job even though she had no experience.

Judy also enrolled in the community college to take classes in computer fundamentals and office management. When

she went to the opening rehearsal of “Kiss Me Kate” Cindy talked her into accepting role in the show as well as assisting with

makeup.

To both Cindy and Ben Judy was an entirely different person from the one they had met just a short time ago. She had

lost a few pounds and had begun using makeup care- fully. Her hair also had regained a healthy sheen and had lost the dull,

uncared for look they had first seen.

* * *

Three weeks after arriving in town Judy had her first date, a young man she had met at the dental office who was also a

student at the community college.

Cindy’s only comment when Judy informed her of the upcoming date was, “Only you have control over what you want from

life. Keep that in mind.”

In late September Ben answered the phone one evening and received a disturbing message. “This is Judd Shepherd,

Ben. I have some bad news for you. Our two friends, James Thurwood and Arthur Strait, broke away from a deputy taking

them to court yesterday and escaped. They stole a car, later abandoned it and stole another in Bonners Ferry. I called you

because it’s possible they might be heading your way.

“Apparently one of them talked to a local no-good who remembered the newspaper account of your wife getting all that

money that was in the trunk. We’ve put out an APB on them, which is usually effective, but certainly not 100% successful. I

talked to your sheriff before I called you so you know he is aware of the situation.”

Ben thanked him for the call and went in search of Cindy, who was working in the yard. One look at his face told her

something was wrong. “What’s the matter, Sweet- heart? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“I just got a call from Judd Shepherd. The two bank robbers escaped and might be heading this way. Apparently, a local

resident in the jail there told them of your inheritance. Judd has already talked to Sheriff Beasley and informed him of the

situation.”

At hearing this news Cindy turned pale also. “What are we going to do if they come here? Should we pack up and leave

again?”

“I’m sure our sheriff will be right on top of it. In fact, a sheriff’s car is pulling into our driveway right now.” Ben went to the

front door to greet the young deputy who was coming up the front walk.

“Hi, I’m Tim Culver,” the deputy said, putting his hand out for Ben to shake. “I was told you have a potential problem you

need help with.”

“Yeah,” Ben replied. “My wife and I are both concerned that those two crooks might come here and find us and perhaps

do bodily harm unless we give in to their demands. We’re at a loss about how to cope with the situation. We’re hoping your

office can help us out.” Ben then explained what the two men would be looking for.

“I’ll tell you what, said the deputy. “I’ll go talk to my division chief; he might want to send someone out to set up a warning

system with you. In the meantime, of course, we will have every officer, in every unit, on the alert for them.”

A half hour later another vehicle drove into the yard. The driver, in civilian clothes, introduced himself as Sergeant Belli of

the Oregon State Police. “We’re working along with the county sheriff’s office,” he explained. “As I’m sure the sheriff has

said, we will make every effort to apprehend them long before they reach you. But in case they do manage to get this far,

we’ve set up a system by which you can alert us.”

Here he reached into a briefcase and took out what looked like an ordinary man’s belt. “Put this on and see how well it

fits; it’s adjustable so we can either shorten or lengthen it, as needed.”

Ben removed the belt he was wearing and replaced it with the belt Sergeant Belli had brought. It was an almost perfect

fit.

“Good, no adjustment necessary,” said Belli. “Now, if you press in on the section where the leather passes through the

buckle it will alert both our officers and those with the sheriff’s office. As soon as the message is received you’ll feel a tingling

around your waist. If you don’t feel the tingling within a few seconds, try again. Okay? Why don’t you give it a try?”

Ben pressed as he had been instructed and within seconds felt the tingling Sergeant Belli had described. “Yeah,” he

said, with a grin.

“Good, try it again then I’ll leave you to return to your routine.”

Ben again felt the tingling immediately after pressing the belt and gave the sergeant the high sign to show it was working

properly.

“Okay, one more comment. It will also work when you are not wearing your trousers. Just press the ball in the middle of

the buckle. You might want to hang up your pants close to your bed at night.”

With another reminder that they hoped to apprehend the bandits before they reached Ben and Cindy’s house he left with

the final comment, “We won’t be far away if you need us.”

When Judy arrived home late that afternoon Cindy informed her of the problem that had arisen. “We’re concerned that if

those criminals do make it here it will involve you as well as us, and we don’t want that to happen. We would like you to go

stay with friends of ours until this mess is straightened out.”

“No way,” Judy replied. “If you two are in some kind of trouble I want to help; it’s the least I can do after all you’ve done for

me.”

Cindy argued with Judy for several minutes, trying to convince her that it could be dangerous. Judy remained adamant;

she would not leave them at a time of duress.

It was a great relief then when a phone call came the next afternoon, from Sheriff Beasley’s office. The two men had

been captured outside Portland an hour earlier by an alert Oregon State Police officer. The officer had noticed the two men

when they stopped at a gas station and observed that the car had Idaho license plates.

He became more alert when one of the men reached under the hood to start the car, suspecting that the car had been

hot-wired. He immediately called another officer who was in a cruiser less than two miles away. The other officer set up a

road block at a freeway on-ramp. When the fugitives drove onto the ramp the first officer drove on behind them, cutting them

off. They surrendered without a struggle.

* * *

The rest of the Fall was quiet by comparison. The play ran for four weeks and was a huge success. Cindy received

excellent reviews in the local papers. Judy enjoyed her participation so much she vowed to try for a larger role in the next

production.

In late October Judy contacted her parents in Chicago, after being estranged from them for almost two years. She made

arrangements to fly to Chicago at Christmas time to spend the holidays with her family. She looked forward to the visit with

nervous trepidation.

When she returned from her visit Judy was vibrant with energy. She informed Cindy she had rekindled a romance with an

old flame. “When we were both in high school I treated him like dirt. That was typical of my behavior in those days; it was all

me, me, me. Now, I think I’ve matured thanks to you and Ben and I’ve discovered Glenn is a jewel. I’m lucky he hasn’t been

snagged already by someone else.

“Anyway, he’s a senior in college now and was home for the holidays. He’s coming out here to visit me in February,

when he’s between quarters, if that’s okay with you.”

“We would love to meet him,” Cindy replied.

When Glenn arrived in February both Ben and Cindy liked him instantly. He was tall and slim and, like many young men

his age, was trying to grow a beard. He was generally quiet by nature but they discovered he had an excellent sense of

humor and could even out-pun Ben.

Throughout his visit Glenn talked to Judy about her returning to Chicago. At present he was attending Ohio State

University but planned to go to Northwestern for graduate work in the Fall.

“You could go to Northwestern too,” he said.

Before Glenn left Judy promised to return to Chicago as soon as her school year ended in May.

In March both Cindy and Judy appeared in lead roles in a revival of “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” which was another

smashing success.

When late May arrived Judy made a tearful departure, thanking Ben and Cindy profusely for helping her ‘regain her soul’

as she put it. “You’ll always be a part of my life,” she stated.

A year later, Judy and Glenn were married in Chicago. Ben and Cindy flew there to attend the wedding. When Judy’s

first child, a girl, was born she was named Cindy.

END OF STORY.