It was now Saturday morning.
Donovan woke up and noticed Jodi was still sound asleep.
He carefully got out of bed, so he would not disturb her sleep.
He walked naked into the bathroom.
While he brushed his teeth, Jodi woke up. She noticed Donovan was not in bed then heard the running water from the bathroom. She smiled at the sight of Donovan standing naked at the bathroom sink.
Donovan finished brushing his teeth then saw Jodi looking at him. “Good morning,” he said while he put his toothbrush away.
“Good morning,” Jodi replied, then she got out of bed and headed naked over to the bathroom.
Donovan gave her a quick kiss when she entered the bathroom then left to give her some privacy.
Thirty minutes had passed, and Donovan and Jodi sat in a booth at the Perkins restaurant for breakfast.
They drank their coffee while they waited for their order to arrive.
“I had another dream last night,” Donovan said then took a drink of his coffee.
Jodi took a drink of her coffee and looked forward to hearing about his dream.
“I was with some guy named Charlie who had long black hair. We were smoking a joint along the bank of the lake. We talked about leaving eight the next morning.”
“Where were you going?”
“I don’t know. I woke up,” he said, then took another drink of his coffee.
“I had another dream also. I dreamt I was with Howie and he said something about leaving with some guy named Charlie at eight in the morning,” she said then took a drink of her coffee.
“Your dream had Howie in it and some guy named Charlie?”
“Yeah.”
“In my dream, that Charlie guy called me Howie,” Donovan said then he and Jodi looked at the waitress who brought their pancake breakfasts.
They remained quiet while the waitress placed their meals in front of them.
The waitress smiled, then walked away.
“Do you think there’s some guy named Charlie that’s involved in all this?” she asked.
Donovan thought about her question for a few seconds. “I think so.”
“We need to find out how he’s involved?” asked Jodi.
Donovan thought about her question for a few seconds. “We’ll have to see Howie’s father,” he said.
Jodi nodded in agreement.
Then Donovan’s eyes widened when he remembered something. “Oh yeah, there was something else with my dream, I was just about to tell Charlie a secret when I woke up,” he said.
“I wonder what?”
“I don’t have a clue,” replied Donovan.
While Donovan and Jodi ate breakfast, Charlie Abbott, a chubby blue-eyed sixty-two-year-old with thinning black hair that was now sprinkled with more gray than black hairs entered the restaurant.
The hostess seated Charlie three booths down from Donovan and Jodi.
Fifteen minutes had passed, and Donovan and Jodi were finished with their breakfast.
The got up from their booth and headed to the front doors.
While they walked to the front doors, they passed by Charlie’s booth. They did not notice Charlie.
Charlie saw Donovan and Jodi while he drank his coffee. His eyes widened, as something about Donovan and Jodi gave him a déjà vu feeling. He looked turned around and looked back at Donovan and Jodi while they headed off to the front doors.
The waitress brought Charlie his breakfast order and placed the plate in front of him. He shrugged off that feeling about Donovan and Jodi as he started to eat his bacon and cheese omelet.
After Donovan and Jodi exited the Perkins restaurant, they walked over to the Motel 6 and got in his Buick.
Donovan drove his car out of the Motel 6 parking lot and headed into Haneyville for George’s home.
A little while later, Donovan parked his Buick in the driveway of Howie’s old home.
He and Jodi got out of his car and headed to the front door. He knocked.
After a few seconds of waiting, the door opened, and Betsy appeared. “May I help you?” she asked the two strangers standing outside.
“Hi mom,” Donovan said without thinking.
Jodi looked at Donovan in disbelief with his greeting.
Betsy looked at Donovan and was not sure she correctly heard him. “Did you call me, mom?” she asked.
Donovan cringed when he realized what he said. “Ah, I, I guess you remind me of my real mom,” he said.
Jodi looked at Donovan again in disbelief with his greeting.
“Anyway, how can I help you?” Betsy asked.
“Who’s at the door?” George’s voice called out from the kitchen.
“Two young people,” replied Betsy.
“It’s us Mister Anderson, Donovan Kirby, and Jodi Lauder. We have another question,” Donovan called out.
A few seconds passed, and George appeared behind Betsy. “Hello, you’re back,” he said.
“We have a quick question,” said Donovan.
“Please come inside,” said George, then he looked at Betsy. “These are two reporters here doing a story on Tiffany’s car being found in the lake.”
“Ah, she said then moved aside to allow them to enter their home.
Donovan and Jodi went inside the house.
“What’s the question?” asked George, the second Betsy, closed the front door.
“We’re trying to find out if Howie had a good friend named Charlie,” asked Donovan.
“Charlie?” George said while he tried to recall those days. “Please have a seat,” he offered to Donovan and Jodi while he motioned for them to sit down on the couch.
“Charlie?” George said again while Donovan and Jodi sat down.
“Would that be Charlie Abbott?” asked Betsy while George sat in his lazy boy chair and Betsy sat down on the couch next to Jodi.
“He had long black hair,” added Jodi.
“That would be Charlie Abbott,” said Betsy.
“How did you run across his name?” George curiously asked.
Donovan and Jodi looked at each other, and they both did not anticipate that question would pop up.
“Ah, we did some research at the newspaper office,” said Jodi.
George and Betsy looked at each other.
“What do you want to know about Charlie?” asked George.
“Whatever you can tell us,” replied Donovan.
“Well, not much to tell, he and Howie were best friends ever since the first grade,” said George.
“His parents were killed in a car accident down in Knoxville back in sixty-four, so his grandmother raised him. She lived over on Elm Avenue,” said Betsy.
“Does he still live here in Haneyville?” asked Jodi.
“Oh no, he left for the Navy the day after Howie and Tiffany went missing,” said Betsy.
“He never returned to Haneyville after that,” added George.
“Except for his grandmother’s funeral after he got out of boot camp,” added Betsy.
“Oh yeah, I forgot about that,” said George then he looked at Donovan and Jodi. “She often helps with my fading memory,” he said with a light chuckle.
Donovan and Jodi both looked at each other and started to have their suspicions with Charlie.
Betsy’s eyes lit up when she remembered something. “I have a photo of Charlie,” she said then got up the couch.
“Would you two like something to drink?” asked George while Betsy walked out of the living room.
“No, thank you, I’m fine,” said Donovan.
“I’m fine too, thanks,” added Jodi.
The living room got quiet while they waited for Betsy to return.
Betsy returned with an old photo album in hand.
She walked over and sat down next to Jodi and immediately opened up the album.
While she flipped through the pages of the album, Donovan saw some of the pictures of Howie growing up. The sight of those pictures gave him additional strange déjà vu feelings.
Betsy turned the page, and Donovan’s mouth dropped open the second he saw a picture of Howie as lad wearing a Little League uniform for the Hawks. He glanced over at Jodi, who also stared at the picture in disbelief. They both kept quiet about that picture.
Betsy stopped on a page. “There’s Howie and Charlie right after they graduated high school,” she said and pointed at a picture.
Donovan and Jodi looked and saw an old faded color photograph of Howie and Charlie in their blue cap and gowns. The two boys both had huge grins on their faces after finally graduating high school.
Donovan’s eyes widen in disbelief when he saw the photo of that guy from his dream last night. He continued to stare at the photo for a few seconds in disbelief.
“That’s Charlie, but like we said, we hadn’t seen him since he left for the Navy and was here for his grandmother’s funeral,” said Betsy then she closed the album.
“Is there anything else I can do for you?” asked George.
“No, that about does it,” said Donovan, then he stood up.
Jodi stood up then George and Betsy stood.
“Well, you’re both welcome to come on back anytime you have any questions,” said George.
“We will,” replied Donovan, then he motioned for Jodi they should leave.
George and Betsy escorted Donovan and Jodi to their front door.
“Thank you,” said Donovan while Betsy opened the door.
After Donovan and Jodi left the house, Betsy closed the door. She looked at George and looked a tad confused. “Now, I know I’ve met that young couple before,” she said.
“I don’t think so honey, they just arrived in town earlier in the week,” George said then he walked off and headed to the kitchen for a Budweiser.
Betsy shrugged off that feeling and followed George into the kitchen.
Outside the Anderson home, Donovan and Jodi drove off in his Buick.
Donovan looked at Jodi. “That was so weird seeing that picture of Charlie in that album. He was that guy in my dream last night,” he said.
And in one of my dreams, I wore a Little League uniform for the Hawks,” added Donovan.
“And that blonde hair guy wore a Hawks uniform in my dream,” added Jodi while they drove don Forge Valley Avenue.
They were in awe over the recent events in Haneyville.
Over at the Haneyville Police Station, Charlie Abbott parked his rental Ford Explorer SUV in an opened spot.
He got out of the SUV and headed inside the station.
The inside of the Haneyville Police Station was quiet. Rock and Kent were out, and Deputy Andrew Barker sat behind his desk looking at the Internet on his desk computer. Andrew was on his cell phone.
“Okay mom, you and dad have a great time on your cruise. And don’t worry, I’ll stop by periodically and check up on the house,” he said into his cell phone. Then he saw Charlie standing behind the counter. “I gotta go, mom, I have someone at the counter. Love you,” he said, then disconnected his end of the call.
He stood up at his desk and looked at Charlie. “May I help you, sir?” said Andrew while he walked over to the counter.
“Yes, I’m Charlie Abbott once a resident of Haneyville a long time ago,” he said.
“Oh, what brings you back to Haneyville?” asked Andrew.
“I saw on the news that you found the car that belonged to Tiffany Carlson. I was hoping I could see it,” said Charlie.
“Oh, I’m sorry sir, it was just shipped out to a salvage yard down in Knoxville,” replied Andrew.
“I was old friends with Howie Anderson and Tiffany Carlson back in the seventies. I heard they went missing.”
“Yes, sir. We believe they ran off to Canada back in nineteen seventy,” replied Andrew.
“Yes, Canada. Well, thank you for the information,” Charlie said then turned around and headed to the door.
Andrew headed back to his desk to continue reading news about crimes around the country.
Outside the police station, Charlie looked disappointed while he got inside his SUV.
He started it up, back out of the parking spot, and drove off.
While Donovan and Jodi headed west on Haneyville Road, Charlie drove his SUV east on Haneyville Road.
They passed by each other, not knowing they would eventually meet, and things would take a turn for the worst.
A little while later, Charlie drove his SUV down Appleton Avenue.
He pulled his car into the driveway of Lynn and Paul Donahue. He parked, got out, and headed to the front door.
He knocked on the front door and waited a few seconds. Nobody answered. He knocked on the front door again. Nobody answered.
Charlie walked away and headed back to his SUV.
A little while later, Charlie drove down Forge Valley Avenue.
He pulled his SUV into the driveway of the Anderson home.
Charlie parked his Explorer in the driveway and got out of his SUV.
He paused for a few seconds while he stared at the old home that brought back numerous fond memories of the 1960s.
He took a deep breath, then headed to the front door.
He knocked on the door and waited.
After a few seconds, the front door opened and Betsy appeared. “Yes?”
“Misses Anderson?” Charlie asked as for a split second, he did not recognize her since she had aged over the years.
“Yes, who are you?”
“I’m Charlie Abbott. Remember me?”
Betsy stared at Charlie for a few seconds. “Charlie Abbott? You’re Charlie Abbott?” she asked and was not sure he was telling the truth.
“Yes, ma-am. I’ve changed over the years but sure remember you and Mister Anderson,” he said.
Then Betsy suddenly believed that he was the real Charlie Abbott standing outside her front door. “George, Charlie Abbott is outside,” she called out and looked happy to see him again after all these years.
“What? Charlie Abbott?” George called from the kitchen in a little disbelief.
“Yes, George, it’s Charlie Abbott,” she yelled back.
Then a few seconds passed, and George rushed through the living room with a Budweiser bottle in his right hand. He looked at Charlie. “Well, I’ll be. It’s Charlie Abbott. What brings you back to Haneyville?”
“I saw that article about Tiffany’s car and decided to swing by here on my way to Norfolk, Virginia,” said Charlie.
“Please step inside please,” he added.
Charlie went inside their home.
“Today has truly been a strange day. We just had this young couple hear asking about you. They left a few minutes ago,” George said while Betsy closed the front door.
“A young couple asking about me? Why?” Charlie asked and got really curious.
“Sit on down, and we’ll tell you what’s been going on, and you can tell us what’s been going on with your life,” said George and motioned for Charlie to sit down on the couch.
Betsy and Charlie sat down on the couch while George sat in his lazy boy chair.
“It was a reporter from Florida named Donovan Kirby and a reporter from Kentucky named Jodi Lauder,” said Betsy.
“They are up here about Tiffany’s car being found in Lake Haney,” said George.
“I tried to see the car, but the sheriff sent it off to a salvage yard in Knoxville,” said Charlie.
“Where are my manners? Charlie, would you like some coffee or a beer?” asked George.
“Oh no, Mister Anderson, I’m fine,” said Charlie then he looked concerned. “Do you know what those reporters wanted with me?”
“Not sure. They just said they found out about you and wanted some information. They’re also looking into Howie and Tiffany going missing,” said George.
“I still can’t believe they ran off to Canada,” said Betsy then her ears welled up missing her son terribly.
Charlie looked at George and Betsy and decided he should tell them. “I can’t figure out why they ran off there. Howie talked about running up to Canada but changed his mind,” said Charlie.
George and Betsy looked at each other, not understanding Charlie’s statement.
“What do you mean he changed his mind?” asked George.
“He planned on coming with me to Knoxville when I was leaving for the Navy. He was going to enlist that morning,” said Charlie.
George looked a little shocked. “Howie was going to join the Navy?”
“Yeah. He decided that running up to Canada would upset you and he thought the Navy would be better than the Army or Marines,” said Charlie.
“Howie wanted to join the Navy? Why didn’t he tell me?” asked George, and he looked proud.
“He wanted to surprise you. But he didn’t show up the next morning, so I figured he changed his mind again,” said Charlie.
“He never came home from being out with Tiffany that night,” said Betsy while a few tears ran down her cheek.
“We haven’t heard a peep from Howie since that night,” said George while his eyes started to well up.
“I tried to see if the Donahue’s were home before I came here. Nobody answered the door.”
“I believe they went to Knoxville for some shopping,” said Betsy.
“So Mister Anderson, I assume you retired from the plant?” he asked after he decided he should change the subject.
“Yes, back in ninety-six,” said George.
“I retired in two thousand after thirty-years in the Navy as a Master Chief Petty Officer,” said Charlie.
“Master Chief. That’s great, Charlie. I got out as a Petty Officer Third Class after the war,” said George, and he looked proud of Charlie’s Navy accomplishment.
“Are you married?” asked Betsy.
“Yes, to a wonderful girl named Dee, and we have two kids. Daughter Abby, who is thirty-seven married with two kids and son Tim, who is thirty-three married with a kid,” replied Charlie.
The three continued chatting about their lives during the past forty years.