Stars of O’Ryan contd
Chapter IV
How do you research someone who disappeared before the computer age. That Helen was not only cute, she was very clever, Jamie found very admirable. He’d found most girls his age just intolerable. But Helen, she was a reader, and she knew things. So he wasn’t the least bit surprised when she called to tell him to meet her at the library. ? It was Helen’s idea to check property records and public census data. When Jamie pulled up to the library on his scooter, Helen was already waiting for him. She was reaching for his hand - which he quickly wiped on his jeans – and took her hand. She lead him into the library to their favorite carrel. He noticed there were already some books, and a microfiche reel.
“You won’t believe what I found” Helen whispered almost loud enough to earn them a shushing from the librarian.
She scrolled the microfiche until there it was, an article from the San Diego Tribune about a man missing and presumed dead after a fishing trip gone wrong. There were photos accompanying the article showing the wreckage in San Diego harbor. The date of the article was May 23, 1960. Jamie felt in his gut that this earthquake and the disappearance of his uncle were connected. Even though his grandpa said his brother disappeared in 1961, he could be wrong. Right? Next, Helen opened an archived phone book showing an address for Gerald Brody. Then, barely able to contain her excitement, she had found the property tax records for that address. The house had belonged to Paul Howser in 1957. The house was still owned by Paul Howser. Jamie only took a few minutes to catch on.
“We could write to Mr. Howser and see if he knew Gerald!” They both said to the shushing of the librarian
At lunch the next day, they huddled together and began crafting a letter. Jamie wanted to explain about the DNA project and then discovering he might be related to Gerald Brody, and that the project had turned into an investigative assignment. He closed by saying that, in the interest of leaving no stone unturned, he was reaching out in the remote chance Mr. Howser had known Gerald Brody.
They mailed the letter on the way home.
Chapter V
Three weeks and two days later, Jamie was doing his Saturday chores, mowing and raking, when he spotted the mail carrier approaching. He didn’t want to hope, but he hoped, so he met the substitute mail carrier halfway and was starting to rifle through the mail when he spotted a return address from Paul Howser. He immediately pulled out his phone and texted Helen. He slipped the letter in his back pocket and forced himself to move slowly, finish up – he really wanted the $10 his dad was offering for this weekend’s chores, and a shoddy job would result in not only doing it over, but without the cash. Leaves, grass, and trimmings bagged; rake hung in the shed; mower stashed. He decided a shower was a good idea before he saw Helen. She always smelled good, and he didn’t want to offend her by coming over right after his chores. He dropped his chore clothes in the hamper and went to shower.
Once he was scrubbed and fresh, he went into the kitchen to let his mom know that he was going over to Helen’s house. He felt his back pocket. He remembered the dirty laundry. He must have looked panicked because his mom came to his rescue
“Looking for this?” She asked, holding out the letter.
When he reached for it, she snatched it back. “How many times have I told you to check your pockets before you put your clothes in the hamper. I almost washed this.” She relinquished the letter, tussled his hair – just to annoy him – and went back to reading her cookbook.
Once they were in the den, and Helen’s little sister was bribed to leave them alone, Jamie opened the letter. The writing, although cursive, was easy enough to make out.
Dear Jamie and Helen,
I was surprised, after so long a time, to receive an inquiry about Jerry. He was my best friend, and we shared this house. I know from your letter that you are aware he disappeared. I have spent the years since wondering what happened. You mentioned a family relationship. Then you are aware of the investigation that followed his disappearance. I was never informed of any of the conclusions, but then back then, “best friends” were not usually read in as they say.
I’ve gotten in touch with Clarence Greene, he worked with Jerry. His address is below if you want to contact him.
I am also enclosing a copy of my favorite photo of Jerry.
He signed the letter with best regards followed by not only Clarence’s contact info, he also included his own Facebook contact, email address and a phone number.
“We have to tell my grandpa. We should go over there now. We may have found people who knew his brother. We may be able to solve this mystery.”
“Cool your tongue, Jamie” Helen admonished. “Let’s gather a bit more information. Let’s write to Clarence Greene and see what he has to say first.”
— Lkai
Chapter IV
How do you research someone who disappeared before the computer age. That Helen was not only cute, she was very clever, Jamie found very admirable. He’d found most girls his age just intolerable. But Helen, she was a reader, and she knew things. So he wasn’t the least bit surprised when she called to tell him to meet her at the library. ? It was Helen’s idea to check property records and public census data. When Jamie pulled up to the library on his scooter, Helen was already waiting for him. She was reaching for his hand - which he quickly wiped on his jeans – and took her hand. She lead him into the library to their favorite carrel. He noticed there were already some books, and a microfiche reel.
“You won’t believe what I found” Helen whispered almost loud enough to earn them a shushing from the librarian.
She scrolled the microfiche until there it was, an article from the San Diego Tribune about a man missing and presumed dead after a fishing trip gone wrong. There were photos accompanying the article showing the wreckage in San Diego harbor. The date of the article was May 23, 1960. Jamie felt in his gut that this earthquake and the disappearance of his uncle were connected. Even though his grandpa said his brother disappeared in 1961, he could be wrong. Right? Next, Helen opened an archived phone book showing an address for Gerald Brody. Then, barely able to contain her excitement, she had found the property tax records for that address. The house had belonged to Paul Howser in 1957. The house was still owned by Paul Howser. Jamie only took a few minutes to catch on.
“We could write to Mr. Howser and see if he knew Gerald!” They both said to the shushing of the librarian
At lunch the next day, they huddled together and began crafting a letter. Jamie wanted to explain about the DNA project and then discovering he might be related to Gerald Brody, and that the project had turned into an investigative assignment. He closed by saying that, in the interest of leaving no stone unturned, he was reaching out in the remote chance Mr. Howser had known Gerald Brody.
They mailed the letter on the way home.
Chapter V
Three weeks and two days later, Jamie was doing his Saturday chores, mowing and raking, when he spotted the mail carrier approaching. He didn’t want to hope, but he hoped, so he met the substitute mail carrier halfway and was starting to rifle through the mail when he spotted a return address from Paul Howser. He immediately pulled out his phone and texted Helen. He slipped the letter in his back pocket and forced himself to move slowly, finish up – he really wanted the $10 his dad was offering for this weekend’s chores, and a shoddy job would result in not only doing it over, but without the cash. Leaves, grass, and trimmings bagged; rake hung in the shed; mower stashed. He decided a shower was a good idea before he saw Helen. She always smelled good, and he didn’t want to offend her by coming over right after his chores. He dropped his chore clothes in the hamper and went to shower.
Once he was scrubbed and fresh, he went into the kitchen to let his mom know that he was going over to Helen’s house. He felt his back pocket. He remembered the dirty laundry. He must have looked panicked because his mom came to his rescue
“Looking for this?” She asked, holding out the letter.
When he reached for it, she snatched it back. “How many times have I told you to check your pockets before you put your clothes in the hamper. I almost washed this.” She relinquished the letter, tussled his hair – just to annoy him – and went back to reading her cookbook.
Once they were in the den, and Helen’s little sister was bribed to leave them alone, Jamie opened the letter. The writing, although cursive, was easy enough to make out.
Dear Jamie and Helen,
I was surprised, after so long a time, to receive an inquiry about Jerry. He was my best friend, and we shared this house. I know from your letter that you are aware he disappeared. I have spent the years since wondering what happened. You mentioned a family relationship. Then you are aware of the investigation that followed his disappearance. I was never informed of any of the conclusions, but then back then, “best friends” were not usually read in as they say.
I’ve gotten in touch with Clarence Greene, he worked with Jerry. His address is below if you want to contact him.
I am also enclosing a copy of my favorite photo of Jerry.
He signed the letter with best regards followed by not only Clarence’s contact info, he also included his own Facebook contact, email address and a phone number.
“We have to tell my grandpa. We should go over there now. We may have found people who knew his brother. We may be able to solve this mystery.”
“Cool your tongue, Jamie” Helen admonished. “Let’s gather a bit more information. Let’s write to Clarence Greene and see what he has to say first.”
— Lkai
Oooo. Good for Helen. Some of us are aware that Grandpa might not be so glad about these developments, especially not immediately. Good story written with a good flow leaving the reader ready for more.
ReplyDeleteThis could definitely be a Young Adult novel for realz! (I'm dismayed that cursive is no longer taught! Not good for future historians using older primary sources!) Keep up the good work! (Macoff)
ReplyDelete