Oh, wow, too much to drink. I wasn't used to waking up feeling like this. I made coffee, took my pills, and flipped the TV on to see if there was continued reporting. The nicer channel ran about the same story as the night before, but the nasty channel didn't even say I was cleared this morning. They just talked about two other people implicated in the investigation. What assholes.
I dressed in my only dressier clothes, a pair of khakis and a decent shirt. After breakfast and watching the other three channels to try to catch their reporting, the duty guy brought me a copy of the Tampa Tribune and the St. Petersburg Times. Surprisingly the Times had a longer story than the Tribune. The Trib did have a good smiling picture of me along with some nasty photos of Judy and Steven. They divulged that Steven was wanted around the country and was known by a few other names. Only the Tribune told of the attempted murder.
The deputy on duty said I should put all my clothes and toiletries into the bag they had left in the closet and go downstairs to be transported to court. He said that the deputy who was taking me to court would take me home afterward.
Federal Court was like any other court. I stood in front of the judge, this time next to the prosecutor, and was told that all charges had been dismissed. The Judge said, "Thank you for having been so cooperative. I'm told that no one ever Mirandized you, so what ever you said really could not have been used against you. I'm happy for you that this worked out."
The prosecutor said I could leave. Just like that it was over. A bad dream was over. As I walked to the door I had come in through, it opened and Steven Barts, or whatever his name was, came through the door while the bailiff was changing the cuffs from behind him to in front of him.
Barts saw me and pushed the bailiff away while twisting around grabbing the other, older, Deputy by the neck. Barts was crazy as he moved toward the surprised Deputy that was following him. That Deputy was the only one armed. Barts grabbed his gun and was trying to get it out of his holster. My hand hit a chair, and with both hands, I swung the heavy wooden chair at Barts as he was pulling the gun from the Deputy's holster.
The chair hit Barts as the gun was coming to bear on me. It hit Barts' arm and his still bandaged head. The chair was so heavy that when the seat of the chair came in contact with Barts head, it split. His head actually split open. The gun went off and I didn't feel anything at the time, but people were crowding around me, trying to lay me on the floor. Then I felt it. I was shot in the stomach, on the side. The forty caliber round had gone through me and lodged in a desk behind me.
As people were scurrying around, I kept thinking, crap, more fucking problems and I didn't do anything more than protect myself.
The deputy that had accompanied me to court came in and got down with me. He said, "You don't ever have to worry about that guy again. He's dead."
At that, I passed out.
I could hear people talking softly, saying silly stuff like, we have to have a party for him. I recognized Chuck Johnson, the Deputy Marshal's voice saying, "He saved at least one of my deputies and possibly the judge."
Mercy said, "I knew he was a good man."
Steve Sharp said, "The doc said the bullet didn't damage anything inside him."
Another voice I recognized, but couldn't put together whose it was, said, "We need to get him home and take care of him until he can get around on his own."
I opened my eyes, trying to see who was there and identified, Steve, Chuck, Mercy, and the unknown voice was Samantha's. I smiled and it was Chuck and Mercy that both looked at me and smiled back at me. Mercy came to the bed while Chuck left the room. Mercy asked, "How are you feeling? The doctor said you were going to be fine."
I smiled and said in a choked voice, "Water?"
A nurse walked in and I repeated, "Water?"
"I'll get you some ice chips, Honey. You've been out of it for a while. They had to be careful with you since you have that pacemaker and the heart trouble to go with it. Let me check you over."
She told one of the girls to go get some ice in a cup for me. Samantha almost ran from the room to get some.
The nurse looked under the bandage in front and back and pronounced me in decent shape for just having been shot. She said I was awake in time that she could still get me some broth for lunch. That sounded good to me.
Samantha came in and put the cup of ice on the table that could roll over the bed. I reached up and put some ice in my mouth and crunched. I kept crunching until all of it was gone and I picked up the cup and held it, "Can someone get me some more. My voice is getting better."
Samantha went for some more ice and came back. She said, "Mr. Robins, I want to write a follow-up piece so everyone knows you're a hero. We found out you have had multiple purple hearts and a silver star for bravery which Steve says is unusual for a helicopter mechanic. I've read the papers that go with the medals but don't understand all the terminology. Steve said he would explain. I'd rather you explain."
I smiled, "Samantha, that was a lifetime ago; I'm not that person any more. I'm a lot different now, more mellow, and I'm not interested in even remembering those days."
Samantha frowned and said, "Well, there are a lot of people who think you are a hero for hitting that man with a chair. He was a bad person."
"I know, Samantha, but he still shouldn't have died that way. That's not the way a person should leave this earth."
A doctor walked in and looked around. He said, "You're doing well and company is probably good for you. I wanted to let you know that the round didn't hit anything important inside. Just some torn flesh is all. While we were in there looking, we repaired an aneurysm above your bowel. We checked with the VA and they had you on a watch to repair it so while we had you open we fixed it."
I asked as the doc listened to my heart in several places, "So what's the deal? How long do I have to stay here?"
"Actually, you're doing very well. We're going to get you up in a little while and have you walk around. If you don't do anything dumb with your stitches and if you have someone to watch out for you and take care of you, you can go home tomorrow. You'll have to be really quiet, no running around and only slow walking; absolutely no lifting anything heavier than a glass of water."
I said, "I guess I should stay here for a while then. I live alone so this will be fine for a couple of days."
Steve stepped up to the bed and said, "I think I can find several people who will take care of you. You can stay at my place for the rest of the week or for as long as you need until you're more stable. There are plenty of people around all the time to help you."
"Steve, that's very nice of you, but I can't do that. You don't know me well enough to invite me into your home. I can stay here, I'll be fine."
Mercy stepped up to the bed and said, "You will come home with us and stay with us. You are our hero right now and we want our hero where we can watch him. Please, come home with us, we'll take care of you."
At that instant, my son Gene walked in the door. "Dad, how did you manage to get shot in court, especially Federal court?"
Gene came over to me, leaned down, and gave me a gentle hug. He was a little watery-eyed when he said, "You know you took care of me every second when I was sick with the measles and chicken pox. You never left my side. I'm taking you home with me. We'll watch you there. You need to consider moving in with us like I suggested, Dad. Now it's even more important. Sandy told me to bring you home."
"Gene, relax, Tampa is my home now and I've met a lot of very good people where I've just moved. I'll come visit you in a month or so, but right now I have a life I need to settle into."
Gene looked around at the four people in the room, "He's a hard-headed guy. Tell him to come home with me."
Mercy spoke, "Your dad knows you love him and that you're sincere about him coming, but he's an independent person too. He does have a lot of new friends where he lives now."
The doctor interrupted us and said, "If Mark has someone to take care of him, I'll let him go in the morning. If he wants though, he's welcome here. The FBI says they will cover your hospital stay since it was their prisoner who shot you. I'll see you in the morning."
Gene listened to the doctor and said, "Darn it, Dad, I love you so much. I just want you to be safe and happy. You shouldn't have to have a regular job and you should be doing those things that you retired guys do. I know you like to putter around and you know I've got a big garage to do it in."
I said, "You should see my work shop. I've got a twelve by twenty fiberglass shop with one of my big workbenches in it and all of my tools. I have a great place to work on my toys."
Thinking that he had made it down here fast, I asked, "I know there aren't good flight connections to get down here from Cheyenne. How did you make it here so fast?"
"Used the Mouse, Dad. You know, the Musketeer. I was in Mobile when I heard you were hurt. I finished the modification a couple of weeks ago and just got the mods accepted by the FAA. I can carry the five of us legally now, and with the larger powerplant, there's no problem on climb. Did you do like I told you and do something about getting a sport plane?"
"Son, I know I could fudge, but you know I can't pass a flight physical. That's why you have the Mouse. When I lost my license, it was yours to keep. When I have some money ahead, I'll look into a light sport but it may be a while. You stay here tonight then go back home. You shouldn't take time off from work. I'll call and you can come get me."
"You go out to my place and stay there tonight," I said to Gene. "Have Steve or Mercy get Betty to let you in. I don't know where my clothes are for a key. There's beer in the fridge and some food in the fridge and freezer. You can even check out my shop. The key is by the door jamb as you go out."
"Sandy isn't going to believe me that you won't come, Dad. You really should come home with me now and visit."
"Leave me be, Son. I promise to come visit soon. You know there are a lot of loose ends to take care of here. You might see if Judy has someone to take care of the animals while she's in jail."
"I hate to have to even talk to her, Dad. I'll call Jeanie and see what she says. Let me step out and call her."
Gene left the room and my friends crowded around again. Steve said, "So you will come home with us, right?"
I said to them, "Okay, I'll come but as soon as I can, I want to get back to my own place."
Gene came in and said, "Jeanie is at the house. She says that she doesn't have enough money to bail mom out and she asked me to help. Should I, Dad?"
"You should help your sister, so go ahead if you can. I don't have access to any money, so I can't. If the bail is too much, then let her stay until her trial. She might make a deal with the prosecutor and get out without bail. You can stay with your sister if you want."
Gene grimaced, "I'm too mad at her and Judy to do that right now. I'll stay out at your place. If you're okay in the morning, I'll fly back home. I still think I should be taking you with me."
"Okay, all of you, go away, go home, I'll get some rest, eat a lot, and go home in the morning. Please get me a newspaper or some book to read and I'll be very content. Now go."
I received hugs from everyone as they left. Glad they were gone. Too much controversy.
Mercy came back in with a newspaper and gave me another hug before leaving. She was a sweet girl, just a little disturbing the way she looked at you, or into you, most of the time. Chuck, the federal guy, seemed to do that too, but I never seemed to hear him murmuring to me like Mercy.
Well, at least Gene and Jeanie will get to visit with each other. I wish I had my phone so I could call my daughter-in-law to tell her that it wasn't her or the kids. I just shouldn't be a fixture in their home. I'd call her as soon as I could. She is a great lady to my son.
The nurse brought me a regular supper and told me to eat it slowly. I asked the nurse, "Bring me a Miller Lite and I promise to eat slowly. She smiled and a little later came back, "The doc said you're allowed one with your supper, enjoy, Honey."
I did enjoy the beer and the food. There wasn't enough of it, but then I ate too much all the time anyway. I ate every crumb and even enjoyed the decaf coffee they gave me. A good cigar would have been the perfect ending for the meal, but I didn't need to be smoking a cigar anyway.
I read the paper until every word had been consumed. I did flip the TV on to watch the news and was almost embarrassed the way Samantha had played up how I had gone from hated to hero in a couple of days. The news people had interviewed several of the local politicians and big shots. Even the mayor said I was a credit to the community and not a person to be feared.
A candy striper came in to hand out an evening snack of pudding with some more decaf. She looked at me a couple of times before saying, "You're that guy that saved the judge and all those people in the court room. I'm proud to serve you, Sir. If you want anything, just ask for me."
Now I felt better. I was going to be accepted as a normal person.
I don't know what time I fell asleep but it couldn't have been very late.
I was waking up when a nurse came in and did the blood pressure, temperature, and question and answer thing. She removed the bandages and looked at both sides then put new bandages on me. She had me get up to go to the bathroom and walk, or in my case, shuffle down the hall a little ways and back. When we got back to the room, she said, "The doc said if you were able to do everything we just did, you can go home this morning. When your people show up, they can take you home."
I had breakfast and actually was given a newspaper by one of the candy stripers. Around eight, Gene came into the room saying, "Okay, Pops, let's get you dressed and I'll take you to the trailer park. That place is something. I stayed out there last night and had supper with all those people at that air-conditioned patio. What a party that is. No wonder you don't want to come live with me. Even Jeanie came out last night to have supper with me. She's pretty angry at Judy for screwing things up so bad and would understand if you were mad at her. She's had to take a leave of absence from her job to help her mom right now."
I did get dressed and a candy striper pushed me downstairs and out the door to find Sue and Mercy waiting at the curb in a mini-van. On the way home, Gene asked me where my Bronco was. I told him that it had been at the nearby Publix and that my attorney was supposed to have brought it home. I'd have to check with Sarah.
The two ladies said they would let me out at my place and my son would bring me over in a little while as I had to stay at Steve's for a couple of nights.
I had Gene get the fancy cart out of the shed so he could see it. He thought it was great the way it was painted. I told him that there were a couple of people working for Steve who did that kind of work all the time.
Gene went up to the mailbox building to check on my mail. While he was gone, I sat on the stairs of my new home thinking, "What a week that had been."
While Gene was gone, I used my cell phone and called Gene's wife, Sandy, "Sandy, Dad, I needed a second to call you and talk to you, just you and me. You know I love you guys and I promise I'll come visit, but Sandy, I want to stay right where I'm at while all this nonsense is going on."
Sandy said, "I understand, Dad, Gene told me what a great place you had and how friendly everyone is there. Maybe we should come visit you instead of you coming here."
"You guys have the Mouse and it's rated for all of you now, so come on, anytime. They have a Holiday Inn Express within a short walk of my place. I'm sure you would be welcome over at Steve Sharp's place. He's a little different, but all of his family is so friendly you want to just hug them."
"Dad, the only reason we were insisting you come was that first, you and Judy were going through this rough time, and then when you got hurt, I just felt you needed to be with us. Now that I know you'll be taken care of, I feel all right. Are you going to send Gene home today?"
"I am, he needs to be with his family."
Sandy said, "You do too, Dad, but I guess you have another family there now. I love you, Dad, tell Gene to call me before he leaves so I know when to worry."
"Don't you do that with him; he's a good pilot and has thousands of hours. He'll be fine."
"I know, Dad, but a woman has to worry about her man. Love you, take care of yourself."
"Bye, Sandy, give the kids a hug and kiss for me."
Man! I was lucky to have a daughter-in-law like that. Gene was lucky to have a wife like that.
I was dialing Sarah when Gene pulled in with the truck cart. "Hi, Sarah, this is..."
"Mark, you're all right, are you still in the hospital?"
"Actually, I'm home but am staying with Steve for a couple of days. My son is with me right now."
Sarah said, "I wasn't in court with you because the prosecutor would want me to be the attorney of record. I wish I could have seen your tussle, but then I guess I may not have enjoyed that. They have a video of the whole thing on the security feeds that the TV stations want so everyone can see it."
"I think the TV has had enough of this case by now. I know I have."
"Mark, you're lucky to have that girl who did that interview with you and made up the in depth story about you. That was really good and then the follow up after you getting shot. You shouldn't be out of the hospital yet, kiddo, much less up and talking to me on the phone."
"Life goes on, Sarah. Say, what did you do with my Bronco?"
"I had to give it to the FBI. Since they took it from me, they have called a couple of times, but something must be the matter, or it would have been taken back to your place and I would have been notified."
"So who do I call? I'm going to need transportation soon to go to the doctor's office."
Sarah said, "I'll call and find out. I need to find out what happened today with your wife, or ex-wife, if you wish. I want to make sure; you don't want to get back with her, do you? She might want to get back together and I don't think you should. Once they've gone, they are gone."
"I hate to agree with you, but I do. That's a bunch of years out of my life. Let's get this divorce settled so I can say goodbye permanently with a little more than I left with."
"I'll follow up today and talk to you later, Mark. Take care of yourself and be careful."
When Gene had an opportunity, he said, "Let's lock up and get you over to Steve's. Since I probably should go back to work, I'll fly back tonight. I love you, Dad, and you know Sandy loves you too. She called me after you called, thanks for getting that taken care of. She wouldn't have been happy with me if you didn't talk to her."
Gene put the truck cart away and we drove over to Steve's with a few of my clothes in a bag. As soon as we walked in, everyone crowded around me to tell me how happy they were that I was still with them. Gene told them, "Tonight he can only have a couple of beers and after that, just don't let him drink too much. He's never been drunk that I know of, but he's going through a lot."
A little later, Gene announced he was on his way home so he could go back to work. He would be flying late into the night but I trusted him to take care of himself. Gene had begun flying right seat with me in a nasty old Piper when he was eleven. Flying was something we could enjoy back then that wasn't too expensive and that we could do together. He took his exam when he was sixteen. He had over two thousand hours in the air with me by then.
Gene was smart and continued until he had his commercial and instrument ratings, finally reaching his goal to become an instructor. He bought a Piper Cherokee his first year out of college from money saved by working part time at a small airport. He nursed a rancid old pickup truck to keep saving his money for the airplane. The plane was cheap, the upkeep wasn't too bad, but the insurance killed his budget. He began teaching evenings and weekends and is still doing that today. The neat story is that was how he met Sandy. She was a student of his and they continued seeing each other until they finally got married. He keeps the Cherokee for instruction only but he uses the modified Musketeer for longer trips and to haul the family.
Gene and Steve hit it off talking airplanes, and Steve even went with him to see the airplane when Gene left.
After supper, I was getting pretty tired. Being shot and losing a lot of blood does knock you out. The ladies of the house all hovered around me, helping me get ready for bed. Mickey, a girl with some medical experience and who was a Sheriff's deputy, came and checked my two stitched areas and made sure I took the antibiotic pill I had been given. It took me thirty seconds to fall asleep. I'm not even sure everyone was out of the room.
Primary editing by Pepere
Proofing by Sagacious