Twelve — Belle Stallings

 

 

Belle Stallings, lives in suburban, Atlanta, Georgia, where she works as a flight attendant at the local airport for a small airline company connecting lesser airports with the main airport in Atlanta. She frequently flies to Asheville, North Carolina and up to Newark, New Jersey or Philadelphia. She enjoyed the different cities at first, but after many trips, seeing the same old sites, loneliness started to set in. She spent many nights in her hotel room, watching TV.

Her father lives a little over an hour south of Atlanta. Belle’s dad has been feeling a bit under the weather so she visited as often as she could. A divorcee, she looks a young 42. She credited her youthful look to the good food she enjoys and regular visits to the gym.

On one of her trips to see her dad, he called her to his room. He told her to leave the dirty dishes for later, he wanted to tell her a story about her grandfather. She had suspected for some time something was amiss, but never got a satisfactory answer when she asked. After her dad told the expanded story, she decided to find her grandfather, even though her dad warned her it could be dangerous.

Belle, had only seen her grandfather a few times during her lifetime, but each visit with him was clearly etched in her mind. He was always kind and caring. He always had a surprise for her. As she grew older he would take her out for dinner or give her a gift card to one of her favorite shops. The time when her marriage went down the tubes she lost not only her husband, but her savings which vanished with him. Her grandfather helped get her get back on her feet. His phone calls were more important then the financial support. She offered to pay him back the money; he told her to forget about any such thing as it was a gift. She had written many letters and thanked him in all of them but she wanted to give him a big hug and thank him face to face. She was close to bringing it to fruition.

There was always a mystery surrounding him, at least to Belle. He seemed like a knight in shining armor, always larger than life. She knew her grandfather as Jonas Lundgren, thinking he was her mother’s father. No one ever told her otherwise. Her mom passed away many years ago; Belle was only nine when her grandfather came into her life. He would write her three, four times each year. The letters came from different places. She wrote back as often as she could. He told her in one letter how much they meant to him.

The story her dad spun was hard to believe, Belle, listened intently.

“Belle, you’ve been a wonderful daughter. I’m very proud of you and how well you have managed to move on with your life. Your mom would have been just as proud. Your grandfather, Jonas, is actually my father. His real name is Vernon Stallings.

Many years ago, he was in the music business. He produced many hit records. Some were big hits in the jukebox circuit. Quite a few made the big time in the ‘Rock and Roll’ market and also when the rhythm and blues market became a crossover staple. He made quite a bit of money. It was unfortunate he was not able to reap the fruits of his success. He has however helped his family whenever any of us were short of funds. He helped get you through college, if you didn’t already know.

“Your grandfather is a wonderful man. The story which follows is not for faint ears and you should never repeat anything I’m about to say. Do you understand what I’m telling you?”

Belle, told her father she understood as he started his melancholy tale.

“Vernon was always interested in music. I always heard stories from my uncles about how he, well from the time he could walk, would find a pair of sticks and anything sitting near became his personal drum. Whenever he went to Aunt Millie’s he would sit at the piano and bang out a melody he had heard on the radio. His parents wanted to give him music lessons, but they couldn’t afford the cost of such things. Vernon didn’t care, he told them he wanted to produce records for the music market. It confused them, but he explained there had to be someone putting things together and getting a product, out to the public. For a while he seemed to stumble around. He told his mom and dad he was learning the trade. One evening he came home walked over to the old 78 wind-up player and spun a record.

“He told the folks and family who were visiting it was his first production. When it started to play the place started jumping. They were dancing, yelling and clapping their hands. When the song was finished they asked him to play it again. He wanted them to hear the other side, but they insisted he play it one more time before he flipped it over. His mom and dad were busting at the seams with pride when he explained he was co-writer of both songs. When he played the ballad on the other side of the record you could have heard a pin drop. Vernon had written the song with his mom and dad in mind. There were tears and many hugs. The words told the story of a boy who grew up in a home full of love. It was a great evening.

“From then on Vernon put together one record after another filled with hit songs. The money started to roll in. Vernon had this house built for his parents. His parents ended up living here after Vernon’s career came to a tragic end. He made sure I was given the house when his folks passed. I lived in New Jersey with your grandparents until they passed. They always told me my dad was a good man. He sent money to help them bring me up. They had no children after my mother died and willed me their house; they were wonderful people who I still think of as mom and dad.

“You’re probably wondering why he was using your mother’s maiden name. Well, as he got bigger he started to sell the product to different record labels. He also co-produced many songs with other successful producers. Somehow, he was accused of stealing 2-3 million dollars from several of these small labels. I have never had the chance to sit down and ask him how this happened, but in my mind, he never did no such thing. He was a good man who was at the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Belle’s dad went on to tell her the story of the dumpsite and how Vernon was helped by three young boys and a dog.

“The boys called the dog, Dawg. They had come back to the dumpsite to see what a dead body looked like. The dog started to dig around the trash, his tail wagging happily when he unearthed Vernon. As one of his arms came shooting out of the ground and stood straight up, Vernon moaned. The low guttural sound was all one of the boys needed to mess his pants. The boys decided to help Vernon. They assisted him to a home at the edge of the dumpsite.

“One of the boys lived there with his mother. She was shocked and wanted to call the police. After the boys told her what had transpired at the dumpsite she decided to help him. She was a nurse and was able to set the two broken ribs, while cleaning the cuts and bruises. She was sure he had suffered a concussion so she made him take it easy for a few days. The following week she and the boys drove him to Newark, New Jersey, where he got on a bus to who knows where. They never heard from Vernon again. Although a few months later when a money order came in the mail with an unsigned thank you note, I’m sure they suspected it was from the man they had helped. Vernon told me he wanted to thank them for putting their lives on the line.”

Belle, decided on her own, to find out more. Her dad had told her not to let the story be told to strangers so it was not easy for her to get any information concerning Vernon. She went visiting some of her nearby relative’s. She nonchalantly asked simple questions trying to find out what they knew. She made like she knew very little.

They seemed to know very little as well. An idea crept into her mind. She knew where the recent letters he had sent came from, at least the general area. It was central New Jersey. He apparently sent them from different small towns, perhaps when he would go shopping. Belle went on line to see what might be located in the surrounding towns which could be of interest to grandpa Vernon.

After weeks of searching, many times thinking she should give it up, her goal came to a grinding halt. Chateau 54, a fancy pants home for musicians, movie folks and anyone who worked in the artistic venue. All were welcome to live there. For sure, he would fit in perfectly. He had to be using the same name she knew him as, Jonas Lundgren. She called and asked to speak to him. She was told he was out. The operator asked if she wanted to leave a message? She said no, she would call back later. She hung up and started dancing and singing, “I found you grandfather!”

It would be a long drive. She decided to drive across the state and up Route 95. She would be going near Wilmington, North Carolina, where her college friend lived. They talked and texted just about every week. This was a chance to stop and say hello. Marge, was married with two small children. Most likely she would be home. Belle decided to call when she got closer. The drive was uneventful except for the large sedan which seemed to be following her. After a few hours the car vanished. Just another interstate driver headed someplace, Belle thought.

She was on I-95, nearing Wilmington, when she decided to call Marge. Of all the bad luck, Marge was visiting her in-laws in Florida.

As she continued north on I-95, she arrived in Virginia. It was time to fill the tank. She pumped the gas herself, then parked the car while visiting the restroom and purchasing a large cup of coffee. She continued on her way north when a car pulled up alongside her and pointed to her rear tire. It was a large sedan, it looked very expensive as it passed by and disappeared into the traffic. She decided to pull over and check her rear tire. Discovering it was low, Belle drove to the next exit to get air.

She pulled up to the open garage door and asked the attendant to check the tire. He asked her to fill it with air at the pump he pointed to and then come back stating he would be finished with the car he had on the lift. She headed to the air pump as she searched her wallet for a quarter. As she exited the car she felt a slight pinch, like a bee sting, on the side of her neck. Belle turned her head. Some men were catching her as she fell into a heap. The men left her leaning against a light post by the air pump. A woman appeared. The men called her Belle, a near look-a-like. She entered Belle’s car. One of the men leaned by the window giving her some final instructions. She drove north on I-95.

The real Belle Stallings had become a fake Belle Stallings! The imitation double drove on.

As she drove, she thought to herself, I need to start thinking like Belle, talking with a southern drawl, calling Jonas Lundgren, grandfather and generally becoming Belle Stallings. She noticed her car was running on fumes. Hurriedly she drove north on the Garden State Parkway, hoping the car would not run out of gas before the next rest stop. Mile post 73.4 flashed by and then a rest stop sign appeared. Next Service Area 28 Miles. Her heart skipped more then a few beats. As she pondered what to do. Another sign moved into view, a large beautiful green sign with the words, service area two miles keep left. She took a very deep breath as she realized the first sign was for the following service area. She got out of the car and went over to the pump as she instinctually would do back home. She was pleasantly surprised when she was asked, “cash or credit?” The car was filled with a tank full of regular gas, which was pumped by an attendant. She decided to call Jonas while she took a short break from driving.

It had been a long trip to New Jersey. She thought about getting a motel room as the hour was getting late, but she would call first and then decide. After parking her car, she went in the restaurant section of the building and purchased a large latte with a double shot of espresso. After refreshing herself she headed back to the car. The quiet of her car would be a better place to call Lundgren, rather then the noisy lobby of a crowded building. She decided to drive a few more miles while she gave some thought to what she would say and wanted to calm herself, as the excitement of perpetrating a hoax was getting her heart pumping a little quicker.

It was time to punch in the location of Chateau 54 – make the phone call and see what happens. The phone rang twice… “Hello, you have reached, Chateau 54, can I help you?”

“Yes, may I speak to Mr. Lundgren, please,” She, sweetly said in her best southern drawl.

“Is he expecting a call from you?”

“No, I’m trying to surprise my grandfather. Dad suggested I look him up while I was in the area. He used to have me sit on his lap and tell the best stories when I was a little girl,” she told the operator.

She waited a moment for the operator to connect her.

The operator, as she had been instructed, called Solly to check if she could connect the caller. Solly quickly called Jonas and told him his granddaughter, Belle was calling, did he want to speak to her. He did. The operator was notified and she connected Jonas.

“Hello.”

“Belle!” he said with a hint of angst in his voice.

“Did I find you at a bad time?”

“No, no, I’m shocked and pleasantly surprised. Where are you?”

“A few short minutes away. I just left the Parkway. My GPS shows you’re not far from here,” she said in a slow southern drawl.

“Wonderful, I’ll meet you at the front desk.” As Jonas headed to the lobby he stopped to talk to Solly. He asked Jonas about Belle and Jonas confirmed the voice was Belle.

“We are just being careful,” he told Jonas.

“Of course, I understand.”

Belle couldn’t wait to get there. As she pulled in to the parking area she looked to see if Jonas was in the lobby, she thought she spotted an elderly gentleman. Wow, she thought, this place is beautiful. As she entered the lobby Jonas approached her. She gave him a big hug. “I can’t believe I’m talking to you face to face!”

“Let’s go to my suite and get you settled down. I have a guest room you can use. If you’re hungry, we can get a bite to eat and have an old-fashioned talk,” Jonas told her.

“Wonderful. I hope I’m not intruding.”

“Intruding. I’m excited to see you Belle.”

They walked over the plush carpet to a smartly furnished foyer to where Lundgren’s suite was located. It was beautiful. Decorated like she would want her home to look.

“Grandfather, I don’t see any go…” she stopped herself before she said gold records. She was not supposed to know about his music producer career. She was a quick thinker and changed what she wanted to say to, “I don’t see any of the good-looking family pictures I expected to see.”

“The few I have are in storage with my other belongings,” he told her.

Good she thought, one less obstacle, as she said. “It looks like you have a kitchen here. Why don’t you let me make you something?”

“Great idea,” he said, “you will find everything in the top cabinet.”

She put together a quick meal from the few makings available. There were more then three jars of peanut butter in the kitchen cabinet, so she made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with potato chips on the side. “I see you still like peanut butter grandfather,” she said with a twinkle in her eye.

“You know me pretty well, don’t you?” he said with a slight hint of melancholy in his voice.

So far so good, thought the fake Belle.

They spent the next hour or so catching up on what each of them had been doing over the last few years. She let Jonas do most of the talking. They talked about her dad.

She couldn’t wait any longer as she asked.

“Can you tell me what happened to you while you were in the music business? I’m worried about you.”

“Did your dad talk to you?”

She hesitated, then said, “Yes.”

“I’ll have to think on it for a while,” Jonas said. “Can we continue with the story tomorrow. You see, at this time, there other people involved and I want to talk to them first. There’s nothing for you to worry about, as you will see tomorrow.”

“I’m sorry grandfather, I didn’t mean to upset you. I should have waited to ask. Please forgive me.”

“Nothing to forgive, let’s get you settled in and we can both get a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow we’ll talk.”

She went to sleep feeling satisfied. I pulled it off, she thought.

Morning came quickly. She dressed and went to the kitchen to make a pot of coffee. There on the counter was a note. It was from Jonas.

Sorry, but I had to run into town. I had some business to take care of which I couldn’t put off. I will be back early afternoon. Grandfather.

She finished her coffee, dressed and decided to check out the place.

As she was walking through the lobby, softly singing to herself a man came up to her and asked her to sing a little louder.

“Hi, I’m Muddy, can I be of assistance?”

“I’m just looking around,” she told the gentleman, “oh, my name is Belle.”

“Have you had breakfast, Belle?”

“Not yet.”

“Would you care to join me?”

“Thank you, I certainly would.”

They went directly to the Breakfast Nook Cafe. The food was wonderful and Muddy was a charmer. The fake Belle thoroughly enjoyed herself but decided monkey business would have to wait. She would play the part of a concerned granddaughter.

Mudd told Belle he had to record some percussion parts for a movie track he and Mother were writing.

“You and your mother?”

“No, Mother is my friend and associate.”

“Oh, what’s the movie about?” She asked.

He gave, Belle, a quick outline of the movie. She had a strange look on her face as Muddy rambled through the story. The dump scene seemed to surprise her most. Maybe the characters surprised her. Or could she know something about the dumpsite. No! He surmised, how could she.

As a gentleman should, he escorted her to her grandfather’s suite.

“Hope to see you soon.”

“I’m sure we’ll run into each other,” Belle told him as she thought, another free meal can’t hurt.

Mudd went to the studio. He wondered what Mother needed him to do?

Ask and you shall receive. Mother was at the door.

“Hey Mother, what’s up?”

“Well, Mudd I thought I would let you hear what I was working on before I continued. Maybe you can hear something I overlooked and I need to change some drum parts. I’ve been working on the theme song for the movie, The Long Road Back. The title is great, as is the song. I think it needs a big arrangement, you know, strings – horns – timpani. Are you in agreement?”

“Absolutely! I’ve been rolling the song around in my feeble mind and agree completely.”

“Good, let’s go to the piano. I’ll play what I have and you listen. If you hear anything different this is a good time to speak up.”

M&M spent the next hour tightening up the arrangement, making a few minor and one major change to the song. The changes would make the song a perfect theme song for the movie. M&M did disagree on a few things. Actually, they did a little yelling. Not the norm for them.

“Listen Muddy. I have a few things I need to get done. I’ll stop back around 1:30”

“Okay, sounds good.”

They both wondered what all the yelling was about. Mother, thought Belle was the distraction and Muddy wondered if Mother had too much on his plate. Whatever it was, it didn’t sit well with either one of them.

Mudd liked the melody Mother had written. Now all they needed to make a perfect song was killer lyrics!

As he was finishing the percussion track, Mother, arrived.

“By the way Mudd, the percussion sounds on the money,”

“Thanks, I was hoping you’d like it. It’s a little different from what we talked about; it seems to fit better.”

“Right on the mark,” Mother confirmed, “I’m going to catch up on some paper work. I’ll call you later, we can discuss the sweetening.”