Book Four - Part 8 - Rhyming Evil - Chapter Ten

Wednesday – July 4th

The Squad Room – 8:45 a.m.

“I want to thank each and every one of you for the outstanding performance in volunteering your unwavering support to help piece Montie back into her original shape. I thank all of you for devoting your own time after the tornado struck. I know most of you haven’t even been to bed yet working all night. That goes beyond any call of duty. And yet, there is much more to do.

“Captain Page is in direct communication with Mayor Marsh, and the city council, on a date to be arranged within the next week or two, where every officer in the Twenty-Second, as well as emergency responders, and the fire department, will receive a citation for your individual sacrifice, courage, and bravery, without regard for your own personal safety.

“This is one time when I say stay safe out there and keep our streets safe, you did. I have never been prouder of all of you than I am at this moment.

“For those who have to be back on shift at four, go home, get some well-deserved rest. Hopefully, you’ll have an uneventful shift tonight. To those on graveyard, get out of here, and thank you, again.

“As for the rest of you, I, like you, will be one tired puppy after this shift is over, but we pulled through and we helped to prevent loss of lives and,” she looked at Dianne, “and animal lives as well.

“Let’s get through today, then go home, and probably miss the fireworks. As much as I’d love to see them this year; me thinks I will sleep right through the pyro show.

“For once, without saying the words, you all know what it is. Get it done.”

Like a well-practiced choral group, they all said in unison; “Get out of here and stay safe and keep our streets safe.”

Baker laughed.

That’s what they do.

The Morning in Montie

The time that passed saw dozens of window installers replacing large and small panels of glass or full-sized panes in businesses and residential. Business owners were still sweeping up debris found after the tornado came and went.

City workers were out either repairing or replacing certain Fourth of July displays that fell over, as well as redoing hanging banners.

Individual homeowners were helping one another to remove broken limbs and tree branches from yards, off of cars (insurance agent’s phones never stopped ringing the entire day), and even on a few roofs as well.

Before the day was over, 211 insurance agents would be called, and 211 claims would be filed.

And when the night did appear, many residents showed up for the fireworks. Watching as display after display were fired into the air, filling the night sky with amazing portraits of beautiful colors, as those who came to the festivities would “ooh and “aah,” and applaud madly. There was at least one person that night who kept true to her word.

Baker was out like a light and never heard a thing. Ed would show her pictures tomorrow of what she missed.

The Hilton Hotel

Downtown Chicago

It was on July Second, at 10:30 in the morning, two people each packed a single suitcase, got in a Blue Jetta, and headed west.

Their first night in Chicago was spent enjoying a wonderful dinner, and a stroll along Chicago’s North Shore.

By eleven their first night, both were so tired that when they returned back to their separate (yes, separate) hotel rooms, they hugged, and kissed one another goodnight.

July third, found them wandering the city by day, shopping for a few wedding gifts, or as Olivia put it, “wedding memories.”

By mid-afternoon, they had their marriage license purchased, and found a small church to marry them the very next day; July Fourth.

Neither one knew of the events that happened in Montie while they were gone. Neither would until they returned in another week.

But, their Fourth of July would begin with their own fireworks, and their lives became united (in one hotel room this time), as Terry Nordstrom, and Olivia Passerman, were now husband and wife.

Fireworks – 8:45 p.m.

Just before the long-awaited moment, hundreds of people sat around in the parking lot of Montie Arena waiting for the fireworks display. Over loudspeakers the Star-Spangled Banner played. And if you had been there, you would have sworn everyone stood on their feet, hands over their hearts and sang the song almost in perfect unison.

Montie is a proud city.