Missed It By That Much

By Frank Kitchens

Caleb was ran over by an eighteen wheeler and ended up with his head on the pavement with his brains lying beside it. He was flown to Okie City. He had changed when he came around he could read minds and move objects. Caleb had his first confrontation in the hospital and didn’t handle it to well. He got much better in the confrontations that followed.

Caleb’s son Jim was there and as he could remember nothing of his past filled him in on most of his past. Caleb felt he should tell no one what he could do. His wife was killed on the same night and his house in Fayetteville was destroyed. Caleb went about rebuilding his life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Frank Kitchens
• Release date: Aug 22, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370643806

Frank Kitchens

I was born in Forester, Arkansas on July, 28th 1946. Forester was a logging town built by Caddo Lumber Company in 1930 and sold to Dierks Lumber and Coal Company in 1945. The town was closed down in 1952. I took early retirement on Social Security at 62 and have been driving lab samples 5 nights a week. I can never totally retire. I have been an avid reader all my life, when I was younger it was mostly for information, after I turned 26 it was mostly for entertainment. I had always wanted to write but, didn’t have the time. Then I started driving 6 hours a night my mind went into overdrive. I have now finished 9 books. The book I am putting on Smashwords is Inherited Fortunes. I found after I started writing I enjoyed it very much.

Book preview

Missed it By That Much

By

Frank Kitchens

Chapter One

April 5th 1992, at 9:00 P.M. sharp Caleb and Missy’s phone rang. Missy was pouring coffee in Caleb’s thermos. She had already fixed him a chicken salad sandwich and put some of the cookies he made with honey instead of sugar, in the small ice chest he used as a lunch pail when the phone rang.

I’ll get it it’s probably Lab Corp needing your assistance. This is Missy, how may I help you. Thanks Mike, I’ll send him on his way. Yep it was your office calling, they need you to fetch and tote.

Caleb was in his workshop right off the kitchen. He had gotten up from the computer and was putting his light jacket on. It was a little cool for this time of the year. He limped over and gave Missy a big kiss Wish I was five years younger, we could grab a quickie before I take off. Missy smiling It’s been 20 years since we had a quickie and ten years since we could have one but you keep those happy thoughts coming Caleb.

Caleb grabbed his lunch and thermos off the counter and headed out the door. Where are we going to breakfast in the morning. Nope, forgot your going to Waldron tonight, golf tournament in the morning. Hope it warms up, they said it was but they sure have been missing it lately. Tell sis I’ll see her tomorrow evening." Caleb usually went to sleep when he got in Saturday mornings after his run usually between two and four then he slept till about nine, when he woke he fed the goats and cows, then the two of them spent the week end together.

Caleb limped to the 1991 Honda Civic hatchback they bought new last year for his job. He drove over 100,000 miles a year as an independent courier for Lab Corp. Caleb delivered the samples the eight people in the office collected during the day to Kiowa, Oklahoma. Charlie Watts drove from Dallas to meet him there five nights a week and took the samples on to Dallas for processing.

When they first came to Fayetteville Caleb was an apprentice to his uncle an electrician then after five years wiring houses he switched to be a plumbers apprentice and was a plumber until 1989. He was working on a new building in downtown Fayetteville, Arkansas.

He just arrived on the job that morning and parked his truck. They were demolishing an older building next door in preparation for another new building and the crane was drawing back for another whack at the building and the ball came off the cable sailed through the air over the ten foot tall chain link fence that surrounded the property and into the side of the truck Caleb was getting out of.

They had to cut him out of his Toyota truck and rush him to the Washington County Hospital. His operations lasted for five hours and the prognosis wasn’t good. Missy and their youngest daughter Charlie short for Charlotte were both crying in the waiting room.

Herman Jones, Caleb’s boss and friend called Missy at McIlroy Bank and Trust in Fayetteville at 8:10 A.M., she was in the hospital by 8:12 A.M. Missy called Charlie at home by 8:15. She was in her last year at the University of Arkansas but didn’t have a class that day till 10:00 A.M.

Then she called Jim, their oldest son in Kansas City, he was trying to make a used car salesman at the moment he had tried 15 or 16 different jobs and none seemed to fit him just right. Jim went to work at eight and it was 8:17 he asked to get off they told him no as he was walking out the door. Five hours later he was hugging his mom and sisters, and then he hugged Harvey his brother in law.

At 8:19 Missy called the middle child Hanna. Hanna was married and lived in Dallas, Texas. Her husband graduated from the University of Arkansas top of his class he was an accountant. Arrant Holdings recruited him his sophomore year, he worked for them every summer after that until he graduated.

Hanna called Harvey and told him what happened. She was catching a plane to Fayetteville. Harvey told his boss and his boss made a phone call and told him the company jet would fly them down. You got to take care of family son.

Harvey was two years older than Hanna. They were childhood sweethearts. Started going together in High School. They married right after Harvey graduated and moved to Dallas. Hanna finished College in Dallas. Hanna worked at home transcribing medical records she made more money than Harvey at the time.

They took turns the next three days sitting at the hospital. Jim finally told them Look I quit my job, the rest of you go back to work. Mom and Charlie can relieve me so I can get a shower. I brought a bunch of dad’s books from home. There is nothing to do here but sit, I’ll call just as soon as they know something besides he’s stable.

That seemed like the sensible thing to do. Three months later Caleb came out of his coma. The doctors were all in agreement he would never walk again and his left arm might not work. He would have to have two more surgeries on his left leg. He still had his sense of humor If there not going to keep them wrecking balls chained up, I’m getting a bigger truck.

Jim hung around and helped his mother until his dad finally walked one year later. The insurance paid $200,000 and $1200 a month for the rest of his life and the hospital bill. That paid off the $92,000 mortgage on the 100 acre farm they had bought three years before and the loan on Missy’s car.

Caleb had built the house over a two year period. He did the wiring and plumbing for different trade friends and they returned the favor on his house. It was a medium sized house 3400 square feet. Then the four car garage and large work shop on the back another 3000 square feet. The finished product had a $200,000 price tag.

Caleb didn’t really farm. He did have four cows and five goats, he liked goat’s milk. They had a large garden and ten acres of corn for the cows and goats. The rest he used for hay. One of the guys at work told him what he was getting for clover hay and that became Caleb’s cash crop on the farm.

All the farm machinery went with the farm when he bought it. Caleb had all the tools he needed to plant the corn and harvest it. Also everything he needed for haying. He had a round bailer; almost everyone had gone to them. He could cut, rake, bale and haul the hay by himself. There was also irrigation equipment and lots of water. He usually got three cuttings and sometimes four a year.

There was a nice barn already on the place when they bought it. He could store two years of hay and still have room for the equipment. The same year they bought the farm, Hanna and Harvey got married and moved to Dallas. Caleb traded a duplex he bought cheap and fixed up for the down payment on the land. They sold their house and bought a used double wide trailer.

When they moved out of the double wide they rented it out. It was down the road a piece where the old house used to be. Jim did all the chores around the place until Caleb ran him off. He gave him $2000 said thanks and find a job you like, you need anything call.

Charlie graduated and moved to Dallas, her and Hanna had been very close all their life. She moved into their house and started doing the same thing as Hanna. Caleb struggled getting the chores done for a month and then his leg got stronger and better and he could make it around the farm easier. His left arm bothered him sometimes but after about a year of exercises it got much better. He could do anything with his arm he had ever done and only occasionally had pain

Missy moved into a new job at the bank and a very nice raise. They were doing alright before, now they were doing great. Caleb was watching the newspaper for a job he might be able to handle. They didn’t need the money but he felt he should be doing something.

Then he saw an add in the newspaper want adds for a courier at Labcorp. Laboratory Corporation of America. He checked it out. They wanted an independent courier to deliver the samples they gathered from doctor’s offices in northwest Arkansas to Kiowa, Oklahoma 12 miles south Of McAlester, Oklahoma.

A driver from Dallas drove to Kiowa to meet him and delivered the samples on to Dallas. Pay was $42,000 a year, you had to furnish car, gas and all repairs. As near as Caleb could tell he should clear about $28,000 a year. It took about six hours to round trip depending on the weather.

Missy was not for it at all they were doing fine. Caleb finally told her he didn’t feel he was living up to his end of the bargain I can do this I’ll get an automatic with cruise control and just set and think. Missy finally agreed she knew he was going to do it anyway.

Best thing she ever did. The chores around the house were not keeping him busy. He didn’t have any hobbies. They use to golf and she still did. Swinging the club bothered his hip and knee so Caleb had to quit. He still hunted but he had to hunt off the back of his four wheeler now he couldn’t navigate the uneven ground that well.

Three weeks after he started the courier job he got Charlie’s old typewriter down and started writing a book. He did have fun on that first book. The kids read it and the idea was a good one but Caleb couldn’t convey the story well. But he was hooked. He was always working on a book.

Caleb would get in between two and four o’clock in the morning. Instead of waking Missy up by crawling in bed with her he would work on a book until Missy woke up at 5:30. Caleb would fix them breakfast and they would discuss everything that was going on. After breakfast he would do the dishes and work on his book till good light then go do his chores. Come back and work a little and go to sleep about eleven and get up around 7:30, and get ready to go to work. Then work on a book until they called.

Caleb had written fifteen books and had twenty others in different stages of not done. It seemed that driving at night he had nothing to do but think. He had an idea for an automatic patio door closer and opener so he built it and the darned thing actually worked. They had three patio doors on the back of the house and each one had one of his super Jim Dandy patio door openers on it.

They were hoping to put a pool in the year he got hurt. Now they were going to put one in next year. They had the money to do it this year but spent part of it on a trip to Hawaii for two weeks. They took all the kids and one grandchild, a girl, Francis. Hanna had finally stepped up. She was a corker and spoiled rotten.

Jim wasn’t going because he didn’t have the money. Caleb called and told him his mother had bought his ticket he would cough up a $1000 spending money. He didn’t pay him enough when he helped out while he was recovering. If he didn’t show up he was sending Charlie to get him. He laughed and showed up. Good thing Charlie would have whipped him.

They had a great time, all of them, Francis didn’t want to leave she was two years old at the time. She liked to swim in the notion. Caleb figured as much time as she spent in the notion she would be permanently wrinkled, she wasn’t but she did taste salty for six months.

On the trip home Caleb said Let’s not build the pool let’s save our money and move over here in about ten years. Missy "The way everything is exploding in the building business in ten years that 100 acres we have will be right in the way of progress and some smart developer will take it off our hands for $5,000,000.

By then my 401k will be about a million. I’ll work at a golf course to pay my green fees and you can work on your inventions and write books. When you get to hot you can cool off in the notion. Francis was sitting between them. I’ll take you to the notion to cool of grappa. Caleb Would you do that for me Francis that is so sweet? Francis Thas me sweetness light. they both laughed.

Caleb thought about it, she was right, unless something stopped it they would probably be there in 2003, 2004. Hell they could retire at 62 in 2009 they were paying in the maximum. Yeah, let er ride.

Jim was on the inside by the window his kidneys were the best. Charlie was in the aisle seat flying made her go more than normal. They both looked at mom and dad and said Can we come. Caleb and Missy started laughing. Francis said Betcha.

Caleb Charlie can’t you do what you do anywhere? Why aren’t you already here? Charlie Yeah but I don’t want to be by myself. You guys buy a large house on the notion and Jim, Francis and I are there. Francis Mommy and daddy to buy big house in the notion to.

Caleb I was thinking smaller house away from the notion. Missy Nah, we’ll make them chip in. Caleb laughing, Good idea. Francis I’m chip in to. Missy nuzzling her until she laughed You’re the biggest chip in of all. Harvey from the seat in front of them I can commute." they all laughed.

Jim hung around a few weeks. Caleb had four people at Labcorp that would drive for him when he needed off. He paid $100 a night, cash. He paid Jim to run the route for him for two weeks. Jim had read most of Caleb’s stories. He told him Dad you need to get with someone that understands how these are supposed to go together. You got some great ideas.

Caleb I’m getting better at writing another fifteen years I’ll sell one. Jim grinned. They were in his workshop attached at the back and side of the house I like the patio door opener and closer what is this metal football looking thing going to be?

Caleb That’s my wind powered generator housing. he took him over to the generator he was working on. If this works I can generate all the power I need to run the house, if it doesn’t I can almost get my money back on the copper wire the way it keeps going up. Jim nodded and laughed. There was a lot of copper wire wound around in there.

Jim was going to Fort Smith in the morning he had a job interview with UPS. Caleb was hoping he would get it and like it and hang around for awhile. He did for six months then on to California. A friend of his had him some audience and walk on spots in the movies.

Missy He’s our gypsy, every family needs one. You would have never made a gypsy you’re not dark enough. Caleb You would have made a good one though I get horny every time I see you dance. Missy Caleb you get horny when I snore, probably when I fart.

Caleb laughing Well you got it half right. he started walking off. Missy Whoa, wait up buster, which half? Caleb Either half. Missy Glad you didn’t say thirds. Caleb was laughing when he went out the door.

It amazed him sometimes of the things he thought up. He would try and market the patio door opener and closer but he would have to leave Fayetteville and he didn’t want to do that. He liked things just the way they were.

Over the two years since the accident he had worked on his leg he still had a limp it didn’t bother him like it use to but he could still not hike through the woods like he wanted to and he couldn’t play golf with Missy. He modified the irrigation equipment and could maneuver it around the farm to where he needed it but he would still fall on the uneven ground in the pasture sometimes.

Overall he was a happy camper he was still alive and he felt productive. Probably to absorbed in his book writing. McIlroy bank where Missy worked had get togethers all the time. Caleb enjoyed going to them. Missy had told everyone about his writing. One of her favorite sayings was He’s going to write a cowboy next year, I can’t wait.

Actually he had already written a cowboy. Missy loved him but not enough to read one of his books. She told him Caleb, I hardly ever read a book but when I do it will be something I’m interested in and can understand. Caleb then assumed he was wrong and she had tried to read one of his books.

He would have to stop writing or inventing every once in awhile when life would interfere. Next Monday and Tuesday he had to irrigate the hay meadow, all 100 acres. The irrigation system was on those large wheels and would go 200 feet in one hour. Then another three sections of pipe would have to be added.

He was doing routine maintenance on the other machinery while he would wait an hour for the wheels to cover the 200 feet. He couldn’t work on his inventions or his books while irrigating he would become absorbed and lose track of time. He was hoping to get one more cutting of hay this year.

It had really been dry in Texas this year. He had already sold everything he had left over from last year at a really good price. Then sold his first cutting this year at fifty cents more a bale than last year then the second cutting went up another quarter a bale. The third cutting was a dollar a bale