The Garden Club by James Gerard (bill gates best books .TXT) 📕

With a rare exception, Hal remembered her as a faithful wife compliant to her husband’s will and as a mother dedicated to her children.  But in that last talk, hours before she slipped into a coma and days before she passed, she spoke for the first time of having lived a life by the faith of her Lord Jesus Christ.

Hal remembered being stunned by the revelation since their father had forbid any such discussions  He believed such beliefs only interfered with his responsibility to take care of his wife and children.  Such faith only weakened his resolve in defending the nation against its enemies at all cost.  Their mother let it be known that day, however, that while she had abided by the wishes of her husband, she had always held hidden her Lord’s love in the heart.  It was that secret love that was manifested by an utter and unwavering dedication to reach out to those struggling to eke out a mere existence.

Hal had always believed that their mother took on such a responsibility being a wife of a revered officer of the United States Navy, and so being, it was expected to behave in a manner that would compliment her husband by demonstrating an underlying softness lying beneath the gruff exterior.  But once she revealed her faith, the compassion was seen as a driving force and a relentless and tireless quest not to please her husband, but rather as offering herself as a vessel for the Lord’s love to touch the lives of anyone He willed for her to touch.

Hal flipped ahead in the pages until a photograph he had seen many times appeared. The image was viewed with a discerning eye.  The image was taken at Kenneth’s graduation ceremony at the Naval Academy, and as he stared at the image his mother’s peculiar words were made apparent.

The portrayal was of their father standing to the left of Kenneth, each displaying a prideful look while standing at attention as if the president himself just stepped into the scene.  Then Hal looked at himself standing to the right of Kenneth, and their mother to the right of him and to their beaming smiles and expressive eyes that was in stark contrast to that of his father and brother.  “That’s what she was talking about,” he whispered.

He now could see that Kenneth truly was his father’s son not because he had been chosen to be so, or because his mother had allowed it to happen, but because Kenneth had made the decision himself to follow their father rather than having the decision made for him.  And like their father, Kenneth had sought out the same respect and esteem, climbed the ladder of success with an unbridled passion, and in doing so, had many an enemy lurking about secretly.

“Wow,” Hal sighed.  “Now I understand when you said, ‘Kenneth is headed for a lot of trouble.  When I’m gone I want you to watch over him and make sure no harm comes to him.’”

Right there and then Hal had a sense of what his mother had requested.  Once again, revisiting the memories of being denied access to his brother on that highly anxious and frustrating day, the seed of concern had been planted by her on that day in the hospital.  But to a certain extent, Hal was still puzzled.

Hal had witnessed his brother’s good fortune on many occasions.  At nearly every step of his life their father had been there culturing his success.  Thinking back on the richness of his brother’s life, Hal reasoned that by his mother’s request for one brother to watch over another, it should have been the older tending to the younger.  Yet Hal was not about to think wrongly or unjustly of the request knowing that their mother loved Kenneth equally.

The pages flipped to the one photograph that showed her unwavering love and devotion to Kenneth.  He stared at the same determined face and conviction and countenance that his mother gave the camera’s lens as she cradled Kenneth as a new born son.  The image was the only pose of her and Kenneth alone she had included in the photo album.  But the warning to the world concerning the unbreakable bond did not clarify the exact meaning of the request.

An alarm shrieking broke Hal’s dreamy contemplation.  The digital readout showed it was time to put away the past and face the uncertainty of the day. Hal neatly packed a tote bag with clothes that would fit in with the business attire he believed the others would don as usual, and was off to the park.

The coast was clear as the car rolled steadily along the highway.  Looking through the windshield to the right, he smiled in witness to the sunrise painting the edge of the horizon red and revealing the deep blue sky free of any May gray clouds.

As the eyes took in the majestic views of the peaks of a mountain range not too off in the distance, he was surprised by the clarity of both the view and of the mind.  All thoughts were clear of any haze or turbulence.  It was a state of mind that signaled the focus was well alert and ready to meet the foes in a battle of words. 

Pulling into the employee’s parking lot, Hal chuckled in response to the labeling of the confined areas.   The perimeter for the special parking was indicated by yellow tape stretching from one traffic candle to another.  Each sspace was clearly reserved for the specific visitor: The Fabulous and Esteemed Governor Hartson; The Mighty, the Protector of all that is Fair, Chairman Wheatley of the Board of Realtors; Mr. Sherman, the Friend of the Earth, of the Air Commission; Kenneth the Great representing the Meat Council.

With garment and tote bag in hand, Hal strolled by the signs laughing  He was not concerned at all about the antagonistic and sarcastic intent at Ron’s attempt to get a word in edgewise.

“What does it say?” he whispered having noticed the sign above the access ramp to the right.  “Welcome Distinguished Tour members.”  Hal shook his head and smiled knowing that by Ron using "tour members" instead of "Guests," it was just one more way to sneak a verbal jab in before each combatant came out swinging.

And just when Hal thought that was the last of the surprises, a light that had long lay dormant was now up and shining brightly within an alcove behind and to the side of the stairs.

“I’ll be damned,” he whispered.  He just had to laugh as the sound of the descending elevator car grumbled within the shaft.  Shock hit the mind with waves of wonderment, but then settled quickly as he reasoned that maintenance had repaired the elevator in preparation for the official meeting.

Stepping into the observation nest, eyes glanced over at the clock’s digital face.  Noting the time, he wondered if they had arrived yet.  Hal was quite aware that more so than the Governor, the corporate heads had the reputation for not just being punctual, but always came prepared to deal vigorously with the obstacles that stood before them and their objectives.    As for his brother, Hal grinned knowing that he could undermine the very ground they stood on with such subtle persuasion and clever manipulation that their very positions would come tumbling down.

Hal realized that at any minute they would come descending down onto the parking lot and rushed into the bathroom.  The sneakers and white socks and wrinkled work clothes came off in favor of a freshly pressed suit, white shirt, black tie, and a black pair of dress shoes.

Looking into the mirror, Hal could barely recognize himself.  With a few tucks here and there and jerking motions by shoulders and arms, the ensemble settled into place and appeared crisp and unblemished.  He found the look to be apt for the meeting’s agenda but not for the setting. 

Stepping off the elevator, Hal was happy that Ron had not forgot about both the place and time they had arranged to meet in the morning.  “Geez,” he whispered as his friend, looking disheveled and dirty from the previous day’s labor.  Ron was stretched out with legs up on the dashboard and arms spread out to the sides.  But considering Ron’s passion for the park, Hal was not about to demand that he clean up or at least change into a fresh set of work clothes for the fast approaching meeting.

Hal hopped in the seat and looked to his friend.   “Why we have the time, let’s go over the route one more time.”

“It’s one big loop.  What’s to go over?”

The air erupted in high pitched whining.  The transparent shell quivered.   Hal looked up and observed the succession of personal jets soaring above one by one over the shell.  Then the ground began to shake.  Hal reasoned the small quake had to have resulted from a large truck rumbling onto the parking lot.

“Is maintenance expecting any deliveries this morning?” asked Hal.

“Nope.”

“Then my friend, it’s time.  Off to the parking lot.”

The cart nearly tipped over as Ron whipped the wheel sharply to the left and slammed a foot to the accelerator.  Hal held on for dear life as the cart was rattled by dips and ruts in the dirt road.  It skidded to a stop once emerging outside.  He had some choice words to say to Ron, but the sight of the truck rolling to a stop and the four jets about to touch ground, brought him to the realization that such a confrontation would only hurt the cause.  Hal instead glared at his friend and hopped out of the cart.

“Hey,” he shouted as the driver jumped out and headed to the back, “what’s the deal here?”

“Are you Hal?”

“Yes.”

“Sign here.”

“What am I signing for?”

The driver pointed, “Ask him.”

Hal looked to the right and saw Kenneth waving and smiling from the confines of his new personal jet.  He waved back and smiled knowing that whatever the surprise his brother had in store for him, it would gladly be accepted.  He took hold of the stylus and penned the signature to the electronic pad.

“Oh my,” Hal shouted out without a sarcastic tone, “It couldn’t be.  It is!  It’s a nice, new, shiny, red van for me—whooppee!”

“It’s a van for the tour you genius,” quipped Kenneth.

Hal walked up to the van and looked inside.  “You know I always wanted one of these; well, honestly, anything new actually.  Is it loaded with everything?”

“Of course.”

“Is it all leather interior?”

“Yes.”

“Do you think I might drive it around the parking lot?”

“Hal,” laughed Kenneth,” it’s not that big of a deal to get excited over.”

Hal looked over to the other corporate heads huddled around the Governor.  They were busy exchanging greetings with one another.  “Ahh,” he whispered after sitting