January 9, 1953
Dear Rose,
I didn’t mean to leave you hanging in my last letter. I know it was short. Let me bring you up to date. Cassidy is home now. It’s been a difficult adjustment for us with Cassidy not being able to see.
Aaron has only been opening the store every other day in order to help with Cassidy. He still wants to blame himself for what happened, but one of the nurses told us if he had not broken her fall, she probably would have died. I keep reminding him of this.
You’re not going to believe what happened. I met a man who piqued my interest. He’s a colonel in the air force. He showed up one day to check out our work at Progress House. We had quite a nice dinner together. I thought he might be interested in us getting to know each other, but by the way he rushed off to Japan, I doubt I’ll see him again. He is a nice, good-looking, intelligent man, and he seemed sincere. Oh, well.
Seems like I’m writing late at night a lot. It’s past midnight, and I better get some sleep.
Love from Alaska,
Trina
Jesse Bard and Max Warner tried to see Aaron at the store the day after Cassidy’s fall, but the store was closed—and there was no sign to explain why or when it would reopen. Neither man was surprised. They knew the situation was not a simple one.
The following day, Aaron had the store open for four hours in the afternoon. At three o’clock, Max walked in and asked how Cassidy was doing.
Aaron said, “She is stable but a bit irritable, which is understandable. One day, you can see—and you’re full of life. The next day, you can’t see—and you’re dejected about life. You can’t eat by yourself except with your fingers because you can’t see the fork or spoon coming up toward your mouth. I can understand why she is a bit irritable,”
“Boy, I can agree with that,” Max said. “I don’t think I could handle it as well as she seems to be handling it. If I can do anything to help, let me know.”
Jesse Bard walked in and said, “How is she doing?”
Aaron said, “I was just telling Max that other than being a bit irritable, she’s handling things fairly well. If it all looks good, the doctor plans to send her home in two or three days.”
Jesse said, “If there is anything I can do to help—here or at home—please let me know, Aaron.”
Aaron said, “I will pass your offers to help on to Trina. Then it’s up to her. I don’t interfere in these kinds of matters.”
The three of them talked for half an hour, and then Aaron went to the hospital and the other two went home.
In Japan, Colonel Willis went to the base to inspect the planes for wear and tear. He was going through his routine inspections and trying to make sure they did not become so routine that he missed anything. That was what the air force had trained him for. His responsibility was to inspect planes, find defects, and order repairs. One defect of the right kind could cause a plane to malfunction and be lost at a terrific cost—or a pilot could be lost!
Colonel Willis took his work very seriously. His primary task was to make sure everything was right on each plane. Of the twenty-four planes located at the two bases he checked, four had to be grounded for repairs.
On his third day of inspections, his thoughts went to Alaska. I wonder if she invited me to dinner because she wanted us to get to know each other better—and I blew it by leaving Juneau early. I’ll stop on my way back to Dayton to feel the situation out.
The night before Cassidy came home, Trina had a little conference with Aaron and Careen. “The three of us must be on the same page in dealing with Cassidy,” Trina said.
“What do you mean?” asked Careen.
“We have to treat her the same—whether any of us like it or not. We’re going to assume her blindness is permanent. If we assume it is temporary, we’ll tend to treat her too easily—and she won’t learn to be as independent as possible.”
Aaron said, “If we treat her like it’s temporary and it turns out to be permanent, she’ll have to start learning all over again down the line. And that would be tougher than if we treat her like its permanent and it turns out to be temporary.”
Trina said, “Precisely. Obviously we’ll have to help her with some things, but when she can learn to do something, we have to force her to do it.”
“Help make her as independent as possible for her own good,” Aaron said. “This will test us as much as it does her.”
When Cassidy got home on Thursday afternoon, she felt less secure than she did in the hospital. At St. John’s, she could always call for a nurse, and one would come to help. It was not the same at 144 East Chestnut Street.
When Trina brought Cassidy home at five o’clock, Aaron and Careen had dinner ready. They made mild chili, one of Cassidy’s favorites, mashed potatoes, gravy, and rye bread. When Trina and Cassidy came through the front door, Mauer ran up to Cassidy and jumped up at her legs, his tail wagging.
“Mauer, did you miss me?’ Cassidy asked as she bent down to pet him.
Aaron said, “Whenever you’re ready, we have dinner all set. All we have to do is put it on the table.” He gave Cassidy a big hug. “Welcome home, Cassidy.”
“Thank you.” Cassidy hugged him back.
When they all sat down at the kitchen table and said a prayer, Aaron just bowed his head.
Aaron spooned out the chili into bowls, and Trina served the mashed potatoes onto flat plates. As a surprise, Aaron brought out a bowl of grits.
Trina said, “Cassidy, your chili is in a bowl in front of you, your mashed potatoes and grits are on a flat plate to the right of the bowl, and your bread is on a flat plate to the left of the bowl of chili. And there’s a glass of milk just behind the bowl of chili.”
“Who’s gonna feed me?” asked Cassidy.
“You are, Cassidy,” Trina said.
“But I can’t. I’m blind. In the hospital, the nurses would feed me.”
Trina said, “Well, this is not the hospital. We will help you with some things, but you have to start doing those things you can for yourself.”
“But I can’t. Help me, Careen,”
“Sorry, can’t do it. Mom’s right.”
“Aaron?” Cassidy asked.
“No can do. I can’t go against your mother.”
“Fine, I’ll just eat with my fingers,” Cassidy said.
As Cassidy started to reach for her food, Trina snatched the bowl away. “You will not eat that way in this house!”
“Okay, then, I just won’t eat,” Cassidy said.
“Suit yourself, but you’re not going to eat that way here,” Trina said.
Tears started forming in the eyes of Cassidy and Careen, but Trina knew she had to stand firm. What if this condition is not temporary? I have to stand my ground just in case.
Cassidy slowly reached her fingers down to her bowl. She moved her fingers until she found a fork on the left side next to her bowl and a spoon to the right of the bowl. She slowly slid the spoon across the bowl until some chili was on the spoon. She tried to bring it up to her mouth, and the spoon went almost directly into her mouth. She tried twice more, and by the third spoonful, it went straight into her mouth.
“See? You did it!” Aaron said. “We know you can, Cassidy—just don’t give up.”
The next challenge for Cassidy was negotiating her way around the house. Trina, Careen, and Aaron practiced with her. Going from the kitchen doorway to the downstairs bathroom was exactly twenty-three steps. From the bathroom doorway to the living room was fifty-one steps. From the bottom of the stairs to the second floor was seventeen steps—while holding on to the railing—and at the top, she would turn right and count thirteen steps to her bedroom door. Her bed was on the right, six steps from the doorway.
After she managed to eat her whole dinner without help, she kept the others busy practicing her steps until she had them all memorized.
Fourteen days later, Careen was reading a mystery book to Cassidy when the front doorbell rang.
Cassidy said, “Let me get it!”
“Good evening, Ms. Cassidy,” Colonel Willis said. “How are you doing? Have you missed me?”
“I don’t know if she did, but I know someone else who did,” Trina said from behind the newspaper. Trina had never been so forward with any man, but Dave Willis sure seemed to be quite a man. I’m not getting any younger—plus intelligent, good-looking, and kind men with successful careers don’t come along every day.
“Mom, Colonel Willis is here!”
Trina put her newspaper down and got up to greet Colonel Willis. They had only shared an extended dinner and three days with each other, and he spent most of one day with Kay Higgins. They went to the kitchen, and she put out some coffee and cookies.
Trina said, “Could this be real? I think I love you.”
Dave Willis said, “If what I’m feeling every time I look at you is real, then this is real,”
As they embraced, they gently but passionately kissed. They sat in the kitchen and talked for four hours—only being interrupted when the others peeked in to say good night. They talked about their pasts, their work, their families, and Grandma and Grandpa Jackson. Trina told him about Mark, how she ended up in Alaska, the house and how she and Aaron partnered up but not romantically, and how much Aaron had come to be loved by her and the twins.
Dave told Trina about growing up in Chicago. He talked about how he graduated from high school with honors, but when he tried to further his schooling, he ran into all kinds of walls put up against young black men. When he tried to get a job, the only one he could find for an eighteen-year-old black man in 1934 was as a busboy.
When Trina asked how he got into the service, he said it was his lucky break. His dad suggested he try the army. He was fortunate that the recruiter had not signed up anyone in three days—and signed him up that day. The recruiter said, “You’re lucky. I wouldn’t normally sign up a black man, but I’m having a bad week—so I’ll do it.”
At basic training, he was the only black man in his group. After basic training, he was sent to cooking school. When he objected to cooking school, they said, “Look, you’re in the army now. We’ll decide what you do.”
“That’s when I decided, Trina, that if I became the best at whatever I did, my chances would show up. My hero became Joseph in the Bible. Do you remember his story?”
Trina said, “His brothers sold him into slavery because their father favored Joseph. When he got his chance, Joseph did his best and became a very important man in Egypt during a time of famine. And when his brothers came looking for food, he taught them several lessons.”
“Being forced into cooking was the best thing that happened to me,” said Dave. “I had become quite a successful cook when General Tom Henderson got me transferred to a new unit called the Army Air Corps. General Henderson became fond of me because of my work ethic, and he sent me to a school for personnel management. After I finished that school, I never did cooking again. General Henderson assigned me to troubleshoot problems with air bombers. I’ll be finished with this program next month.”
“What happened?” asked Trina.
“After I met Captain Hughes, I became interested in his work, did some research, wrote a proposal patterned after his, and asked his permission to visit your operation—and here I am. Just before leaving Japan, I got word that the proposal was approved, but I had to make this last scheduled inspection of bombers in Japan.”
Aaron sat stunned at the kitchen table. He read the letter three times to make sure he was reading it correctly. It was delivered to 144 East Chestnut Street ten minutes after he arrived home to relieve Careen of watching Cassidy.
Western Union Telegraph
To: Aaron Mueller
From: Pamela Mueller
Dear Aaron, there’s been a terrible accident, STOP.
Josh and Eric were injured by a garbage truck, STOP.
They were making a delivery, STOP.
Josh was killed instantly, STOP.
Eric is still in the hospital, STOP.
Doctors say Eric will not walk again, STOP.
Please help, STOP.
Pamela, STOP.
Aaron signed for the telegraph at exactly 3:55. He asked the delivery man what time the telegraph office closed, and the man said nine o’clock.
As soon as Aaron regained his composure, he asked Careen if she could stay with Cassidy. He told them about the telegraph from New York and said he needed to pack and leave for New York in the morning. Then he left for the telegraph office.
As Trina turned the corner of East Chestnut Street, she saw him. I wonder where he is headed. He seems like he’s in a hurry. When she stepped into the house, the twins were waiting in the living room. “Do you girls know where Aaron was going in such a hurry?” Trina asked.
“He’s going to the telegraph office,” answered Careen.
“Why?”
The twins told Trina about what had happened, constantly interrupting each other.
Trina said, “Oh dear God!”
The three of them bowed their heads and Trina prayed, “Oh, dear God, please help and protect Aaron and his family. Watch over them and shelter them from any further harm.”
All three said, “Amen.”
At four thirty, Aaron sent a telegraph to Pamela Mueller:
Coast-to-Coast Telegraph Company
To: Pamela Mueller
From: Aaron Mueller
Dear Pamela, got your message, STOP.
I’ll leave for New York tomorrow, STOP.
It will probably take three to six days, STOP.
I’ll come straight to your house, STOP.
I’ll help, STOP.
Aaron, STOP.
At five thirty, Aaron arrived back at 144 East Chestnut Street.
Trina and the girls had supper ready for the table and were waiting for him. When he walked into the house, he told them he was not going to eat.
Trina said, “No, sir. You sit down and eat, Aaron Mueller. You have time, and you’ll need your strength!”
Aaron sat down and started to cry, finally understanding how bad the situation might be.
Careen said, “Just trust in God, Aaron. We already started praying for you and your family.
“And we’ll keep praying for you,” added Cassidy.
“Thank you so much,” he said. When he finished eating, he said he was going upstairs to pack. He asked Trina to come with him and gave her the addresses of Jesse Bard, Max Warner, and his sister-in-law. He asked her to contact them and explain his sudden departure. He told her to keep the store closed until he got back or sent instructions.
Trina began to cry. “We’re going to miss you, Aaron. Please write. We all love you.” She hugged him and left his room.
Later, they talked until two in the morning.
By eight o’clock the next morning, Aaron Mueller was on the boat headed for Seattle where he would take a train east.
January 18, 1953
Dear Rose,
What a couple of days the last two have been. Aaron left two days ago for New York. On January 16, Aaron received a telegram saying that his two brothers were in a truck accident. One was killed, and the other one probably will never walk again.
His sister-in-law sent a telegram asking for help. He sent a telegram back that night saying he would help. The next morning, he left on the boat for Seattle. Then he’ll take a train back East. Hopefully he can get on the first train leaving Seattle for the East Coast and New York City.
I wanted to tell you about this first and ask you to pray for Aaron and his family.
In my last letter, I mentioned that I didn’t think I’d see Colonel Willis again. Wrong! He stopped on his way back from Japan. Turns out he feels the same way I do. I believe my prayers have been answered in him. We talked for hours, and he stayed in Juneau another week. We learned as much …
Cassidy screamed, “Mom, Mom, come here! Please come here! Mom!”
It only took Trina ten seconds to get up the stairs and to the twins’ bedroom, but in that ten seconds, she thought, I’ve been through these calls before. What is it now?
When Trina got to the second floor, the door to the bedroom was open. The door to the bathroom was open, and the light was on. Cassidy was in tears. “I can see! I can see! You’re wearing your blue and gold nightgown. You’re wearing your red slippers. I can see, Mom! I can see.”
Careen came over and stood next to Trina. “You can see? How many fingers am I holding up?”
“Three,” answered Cassidy.
All three started crying even harder, and Trina suggested saying some prayers of thanks to God, which they did.
Trina said, “Cassidy, what happened?”
“I woke up and glanced at the bedroom door. When I saw a line of light running under the door, I rubbed my eyes and slowly walked over to the door. I could clearly see the sailboat picture on the wall. I walked into the bathroom, and I saw my toothbrush, the towels, and the sink. That’s when I started yelling for you.”
Trina didn’t get back to her letter until one thirty in the morning. She decided to finish it the next day. Right now, she needed some sleep before work.
January 19, 1953
Dear Rose,
I started this letter last night. It’s the first time I didn’t finish a letter after starting it.
As I was writing, Cassidy started yelling for me. I dropped my pen and ran up to her room, but she was in the bathroom. She came out and said, “I can see! I can see!” She told me what I was wearing. I don’t know why except it’s the love of God. We’re seeing the doctor tomorrow.
I started to tell you Dave Willis stopped by on his way back from Japan. We talked for hours and learned so much about each other.
He stayed for a week. Everyone likes him—even Mauer, our dog. I think he may be an answer to my prayers. Time will tell.
I hope I’m not seeing too much into our friendship.
I’ll write again soon.
Love from Alaska,
Trina
At seven o’clock on Tuesday morning, Bill Farley was finishing his overnight shift.
Kay Higgins was coming in for the morning shift, and she had told the guys that she would make western omelets for them.
Bill told Kay that John had taken Rusty for a walk at six o’clock and wasn’t back yet.
“So what else is new?” asked Kay. “Half the time, he won’t eat breakfast. He says he’s not hungry yet.”
“I know,” Bill said. “I suggested he wait to walk Rusty until after breakfast, but you know John.”
“Only too well,” said Kay. “John Pensen is lucky Trina is as patient as she is. Otherwise, she might have sent him back to a vets’ hospital by now.”
“No, you’re wrong, Sam,” Al Notes said. “The Civil War was not fought because of slavery!”
“Yes, it was about slavery!” Sam Young said. “Lincoln hated it. It was about slavery, right, Bill?”
“I’m not sure, guys. I’ve got to be going.” Bill looked at Kay, and they both knowingly rolled their eyes before Bill left.
“No, it was not about slavery. It was about splitting up the country,” Al said. “The Civil War started when states in the South wanted to leave the union, you goofball.”
“Hey, no swearing when I’m here,” Kay said.
Al said. “Sorry, Kay, but it’s true. Lincoln wanted to get rid of slavery, but keeping the country together was more important to him than slavery.”
Tim Bolt came into the kitchen and sat down for breakfast. “Who cares why the Civil War was fought. It’s over—period.”
“Okay, guys. Your breakfast is ready,” Kay said. “Let’s eat and not worry about the Civil War for a while.”
John Pensen walked in with Rusty and said “I’m hungry.”
Kay said, “You’ll need to wait until your omelet is ready. I did not make enough food for you because I had no idea when you would be back. Wash up and sit down while I make your breakfast.”
Within fifteen minutes of settling comfortably into his seat, Aaron Mueller was asleep on the boat to Seattle. The night before, he had slept for two hours at best, and he was very prone to dozing off in his seat. All day long, Aaron dozed off—and then the motion of the boat in the water would wake him. It was like that for the fifteen-hour trip to Seattle. For the last hour of the trip, he was so tired that even the boat’s motion up and down did not wake him. He didn’t even wake for the boat’s departure bell when they reached Seattle.
A crew had to shake him awake. “We’re in Seattle, sir. Time to get off.”
Aaron took a taxicab to the train station and bought a ticket to New York City.
It took three days on the train to get to New York City. During that time, so many thoughts went through his mind. He thought about how he got to Alaska, how Max Warner suggested it, how he researched it, and how Josh thought he was crazy. Now Josh is gone—and Max is in Alaska. Will I ever get back to Alaska?
He thought about his surprise to find two black twin girls at the house he thought he had bought. The scam by Janet Green, the FBI, and their investigation. Danny Adams and the store. His awful heart attack. Jesse Bard and his fishing stories. Sammy and Mauer. He thought about Colonel Willis and what a nice, sincere man he seemed to be. Finally, when he closed his eyes, he remembered Cassidy falling—and how he should have done more to catch her.
Aaron Mueller then did something he had not done in years. He prayed in the silence of his mind. Oh dear God, please help Cassidy to someday regain her sight as the doctors thought she might. And, dear God, please help my family through these times. And yes, dear God, please help me figure out how to deal with the situation I’m getting into.