CHAPTER SEVEN

Bobby – Forgiveness

Le Ann and I were at a restaurant in Champaign. Her ex, Brad, and her former roommate and best friend, Pat, came in as we were eating. They walked over to our table where Pat looked at Le Ann with wide eyes and said, "I'm sorry. I miss my best friend." She began to cry. Le Ann stood and put her hands around Pat and hugged her tight. Le Ann whispered, "I'm sorry too!"

Pat said, "Brad has something he needs to express to both of you." Brad awkwardly stated, "I am a despicable excuse of a man. I regret what I did. There is no justification for my actions. I apologize for my stupid behaviors.

Please forgive me. I promise not to bother you again. Le Ann, thank you for not pressing charges against me. The police said I would be in jail facing prison if you had. The dean of the university has put me on strict probation. He directed that if I mess up again I will not graduate."

Brad was crying like he was a three year old baby. "Le Ann and I do not hold grudges. We have learned that through Jesus, God forgives us if we sincerely ask him." I felt wonderful about what I just declared. There is no reason to hang onto judgements that create negative thinking.

Brad announced that he sincerely thanked us. I expounded, "Then we are at peace." Le Ann thanked me for handling this in a calm and caring way. "We do not have a choice if we are truly God's people." She leaned over and kissed me saying, "You are my love!" I experienced a wonderful vibe, and returned, "Your love encircles me."

It was the end of May. George came to me with a sad expression on his face. He alleged he was sorry to lose me. Then he presented me with Captain bars. He said I would be getting my own C-130 in a few weeks. 'Good' was not adequate enough to say. "I'm blest well above the clouds, on my way to greater summits. I am ecstatic. Whatever I face to some degree would not be more impressive."

June 11, 1960 found me standing in front of the church with the preacher. I had on my dress blues. George was escorting Linda up the aisle as matron of honor. When she was in place, George came and stood by me. Four other groomsmen were in their dress blues as they escorted the bridesmaids to the front of the church.

Three chords were played by the musician. The preacher raised his hands into the air, and said, "Everyone rise." When they did, the pianist began playing the traditional wedding march. Le Ann and Rufus began moving toward me. She was more beautiful than I remembered.

The preacher spoke, "Who giveth Le Ann to Bobby?" Rufus uttered, "Her mother and I." I was enchanted with the attractiveness of my bride as we exchanged declarations and rings. The preacher pronounced us husband and wife. Then he instructed me to kiss Le Ann.

As we exited the church, we experienced a shower of rice. We were led to the fellowship hall where the congregation greeted us as husband and wife. We had attended several wedding showers, given in our honor, but we received many gifts after the wedding. Every person was generous.

General Gofourth had come to our wedding. He presented us with a card stating that my crew and the officers in my squadron took up a donation for a little gift. In the card was a gift certificate to the hotel where we were staying during our honeymoon, and two round trip tickets to Hawaii. George had informed them where we were going. Telling them how much we appreciated them was easy, because we were speaking from our hearts.

Rufus presented us a thick envelope. Later we discovered the contents contained a thousand dollars and a note for us to enjoy our honeymoon. Martha and Rufus had tears of joy in their eyes as we departed.

Le Ann and I were going to be comfy. We can enjoy it, because everything on the trip is paid for ahead of time. My heart felt free beyond words. All burdens were lifted from us. We were a happily married couple. What more could we desire?

We spent the night in Los Angeles, and the next morning we left for our designation. Hawaii was wonderful. The two weeks seemed short. The weather was nice with average highs of 82˚F, and average lows of 69˚F. We wanted to remain, but we had responsibilities back home.

When we returned, we discovered that Le Ann's room and two spare bedrooms were merged into an apartment. Le Ann cried and was beaming at the same time. Her glow was bright as the sun at noon. Having good friends and in-laws meant the world to us. Thank you was not good enough!

There was a private bath with a tub and a shower. We found a king-size bedroom. The apartment contained a sitting room with a love seat, two upholstered chairs, a TV and a large bookcase. We found a smaller bedroom with a baby bed in it. The accommodation included a kitchen. Le Ann extended a broad smile and a single blissful tear rolled down her cheek. She squealed louder than a pig squeezing through a tight gate. Both of us were saturated with appreciation and harmony. Time had projected to a new realization that we were fortunate.

We embraced Le Ann's parents thanking them for our new apartment and told them we loved them. Rufus said that George and a dozen men from my unit helped. "Linda and Martha spearheaded the project and determined what went into each room. Martha insisted that the insulation was doubled to make things quieter and warmer." Dancing on air, we hugged and loved everyone.

When I checked in the next day, George was leading a squadron meeting. I noticed that he had been promoted to major, and was appointed as the new executive officer. When he asked for comments, I was babbling as I thanked all who helped build our new apartment. I walked tall with a beat to each step. My joy extended to all.

To add to my enthusiasm, George took me to my new plane. It was a C-130JX. It was modified for combat and rescue. The plane had four automatic guns with sensors that aimed at pursuing enemy aircraft, or directed to weapons firing from the ground. It was a cargo plane rigged with the best fighting and defensive artilleries.

The exterior was constructed of the same material used in my plane. The engines were muffled to a whisper, but more powerful than the original version. The range was expanded from 1200 to 1500 hundred miles at speeds of 475 mph. Radar could not detect the aircraft nor its location. My internal calculators registered high. I was bubbling. My mind was approaching rapture.

How does one explain receiving the most sophisticated and beautiful transport? Does he just say, "I received a new plane," to his wife and family? Are the details unwarranted and less important?

I decided to just tell them that I received a new plane. If they wanted the details they could ask.

Upon arriving home, Le Ann asked me, "Anything new today."

"Nothing, except I got a new plane."

"That's great. I knew you were waiting for it. Is it what you expected?"

"No, it is ten times better than I ever anticipated." I excitingly explained its assets. I thrillingly presented details. She looked at me with a twinkle in her eyes. She was happy that I was excited.

I enquired of her, "Something new with you?"

"I'm late, my monthly flow has dried. I feel unusually tired, and I have vomited several times."

"Does that mean what I think it means? Are you pregnant?" The anticipation was greater than receiving my new plane.

She smiled and responded, "I hope I am, but I don't know for sure. I have an appointment with the doctor the day after tomorrow. My wishes are that I am having a baby."

"I will be content either way. I will love you whether we are having a baby or not." I was overjoyed with pride and hope.

What I told Le Ann was true, but I could tell that she was wanting this very much. We will know for sure in two days. I am eager for her to have her longing. It would make me happy to be a Daddy. I have two good role models in my Dad and Rufus. Rufus and I will wish for a boy, but we will love a girl just as much. Either way, it will be the result of mine and Le Ann's love.

The next day I asked George for the following day off. He revealed, "Le Ann has talked to Linda that she is going to see the doctor tomorrow. I wish both of you the best. I believe we can get along without you for a day." My heart was pensive as I was daydreaming the possibilities and responsibilities of parenthood.

Martha, Rufus, Linda and I patiently passed the time in the waiting room. The doctor came out with Le Ann to confirm that she was having a baby. He said it was too soon to predict whether it would be a girl or a boy. He calculated the delivery would take place sometime in April 1961.

We arrived home from the doctor's office with no stops in between when Marcy Bowman called. She wanted Martha to know that she would help with the baby shower. Le Ann said we left the doctor's office fifteen minutes ago. How did she know? Martha pronounced, "She has a big heart, but she has a bigger nose." Everyone laughed.