Cobb Mt Mystery: Konocti Caves Part 2

"It's somewhere around here," Jimmy yelled. After a few minutes of jumping into ditches to avoid lightning strikes and moving brush around, a huge gapping hole was uncovered.

"This is it!" shrieked Jimmy. "We found it!" and before Ron could stop him he ran in.

"Wait, Jimmy! Stop!" Ron yelled following Jimmy inside the cave on his hands and knees. He was much too tall to stand. "Jimmy, come back here right now!" Ron's deep voice echoed off the cave walls, and was much louder and angry sounding than he had meant it to be. A flash of lightning allowed him to see Little Jimmy's face. All the joy of a moment ago was gone, having been replaced by fear. Ron lowered and softened his voice and said, "Sorry for yelling, Buddy, but you gotta listen to me. We don't know how deep this goes or if there are drop offs."

"Oh yeah," said Jimmy "I forgot about that." Ron reached in his pocket and pulled out a penlight and s.h.i.+ned it deep into the dark cave. Nothing but blackness. Both he and Jimmy were silent as he s.h.i.+ned the light on the floor of the cave a few feet from where Jimmy stood. Blackness absorbed the light. A huge black hole. Ron reached out and pulled Jimmy back towards the cave opening. Neither spoke for awhile.

"What if he hadn't listened to me? What if he hadn't stopped? What could I have done?" These questions kept echoing through Ron's head. "How can I do this? How can I be this boy's father, and keep him safe?"

Finally Ron reached for his cell phone to call Kat and let her know that they would be on the mountain for awhile while riding out the storm. But his cell phone wasn't in his pocket. He searched his other pockets to no avail. Not wanting to let Jimmy know just how nervous he was, he tried to keep his voice calm, "I must have dropped my cell phone when I was crawling in here. Help me take a look around." Ron s.h.i.+ned the light over the floor and got as close to the entrance as he dared. Lake County always had lightning storms a few times a year. Which even down in the low lands were impressive; but up here on the mountain, experiencing the lightning close and personal was another thing all together. The cracking flashes of the lighting and the loud thunder was almost simultaneous. At one point the lightning was almost non stop. Before the roar of thunder stopped another flash of lightning would strike, and then another and another, causing their ears to hurt as the thunder ricocheted and echoed through the cave.

They had given up the search for the cell phone and they settled down to wait out the storm. "Hungry?" he asked the boy.

It was then that Ron realized that they had left their back packs back in the walnut grove. He quickly looked at the boy's face and could see that he had realized it too.

"How could I be so stupid?" Ron moaned silently. "How could I bring this child up here and put him in such jeopardy?" Ron took off his jacket and wrapped it around Jimmy and zipped it up, and brushed his wet red curls away from his face.

When the rain and lightning finally slowed down and the two hikers ventured out of the cave, they both realized that they were lost.

Finally, after finding the orchard they retrieved their backpacks; and Ron was able to get oriented again. He helped Little Jimmy strap his on, readjusting the straps to go over Ron's large jacket.

Even with the help of his compa.s.s, which Ron retrieved from his backpack, it took hours to find the trail in the thick cloud that still hovered over the mountain.

As they made their way down the slippery red muddy trail, Ron recognized the log that they took their break on hours earlier. After a short search he found the cell phone tucked up under the curve of the log. "At least it's dry," said a relieved Ron, as he stuck it into his jeans pocket.

Although the rain had stopped, the air hitting their wet clothes was freezing. Ron's fingers were numb as he fumbled with his keys to unlock the SUV. He helped Little Jimmy into the vehicle and ran around to the driver's side and climbed in, quickly starting the engine. He fought the impulse to turn on the heater right away, knowing it would only blow cold air for a few minutes.

"Can you manage the seatbelt, Jimmy?" The boy nodded. Ron was glad the long sleeves of his jacket had covered Jimmy's hands keeping them at least a bit warmer than they would be otherwise. But Jimmy was still s.h.i.+vering and struggled to get his seat belt buckled.

As Jimmy buckled up, Ron called Guido's Pizzeria and asked McKee to have their delicious and nutritious veggie pizza ready for them in a half hour, and as an after thought he asked if they had soup. They did, which relieved Ron. Although there were snacks in the backpacks, Ron wanted to get some hot food inside Jimmy as quickly as possible. He then called Kat to tell her, with as little details as possible, that he and Jimmy were okay but were eating on the way home and asked her to let Mrs. Capra know.

Ron was definitely not looking forward to Mrs. Capra's disapproving look when he returned Jimmy cold and dripping wet to her.

"Why did I not think for us to bring a change of cloths?" Ron scolded himself, then wondered if he should forgo the pizza and just get Jimmy home so he could get out of those wet clothes. He wasn't sure which would be best for Jimmy. By the time they arrived at Guido's he had made the decision to have the soup at the restaurant and let Jimmy eat the pizza on the drive home.

"I can't believe it took me this long to figure it out!" Ron frowned. He wasn't used to this feeling of uncertainty. He was usually a man of instant decisions and action- knowing instantly how to handle an emergency. He had rescued kids off cliffs on Walker Ridge; he had pulled a family out of a burning house by throwing wet blankets over them. He had pulled a drenched baby out of an upturned vehicle after the mother had driven into the lake in a storm. In all those circ.u.mstances he knew just what to do. But this was different. This was Little Jimmy. This was possibly going to be his son. For the first time Ron felt what it would be like to be a parent. Felt the fear of making the wrong decision where your child's wellbeing was concerned. Felt the heavy responsibility he was taking on. He felt uneasy and uncertain about his ability to take care of and protect Jimmy.

Delivering Little Jimmy back to Mrs. Capra was even more difficult than Ron had feared. Although Jane Capra was a small woman, secretly Kat and Ron referred to her as 'The Grizzly Bear'. And just like with a mama bear, you don't want to come between her and her cub.

As Ron pulled up the drive way he could see Mrs. Capra's tiny silhouette in the living room window- standing with hands on her hips.

"Oooh boy!" Ron groaned out loud. He glanced at Jimmy who was staring straight ahead with wide eyes. "It'll be okay, Buddy. She's mad at me not you." Ron rea.s.sured the boy. But silently he said, "This is not going to be fun."

Ron rushed Little Jimmy into the house, and Mrs. Capra ordered the boy to the bathroom.

"I have a hot bath drawn for you. Hurry and get in it! I also have some hot chocolate on the table next to the tub." Despite being agitated she knew how important it was to let Jimmy know she wasn't angry at him, and was able to muster up a warm smile and hug. Then she held his face momentarily in her small hands to look him in the eyes.

"I was worried about you Jimmy. I hope we never have to go through anything like this again! But we'll have some stories to tell won't we!" she chuckled. "Now hurry and get out of those wet cloths! I've already laid out your pjs and robe in there for you."

She stood watching as Jimmy disap-peared up the stairs and waited until she heard the bathroom door close before facing Ron squarely, and with hands on hips began scolding him.

"I never thought I had to worry about Little Jimmy going with you of all people! You should have been home hours ago! And not even calling to let me know what's going on!" Almost standing toe to toe she shook her finger up as close as she could get to Ron's face, "You- you sorry excuse for a sheriff deputy! Hmp! And you take him up on that mountain when the weather report was clearly calling for a storm. And then you get lost?! How could you put my Little Jimmy in such jeopardy?" Her hands were on her hips again and she somehow had made herself seem twice her size. "Well? What have you got to say for yourself?!"

Ron couldn't find words to express his remorse. How sorry he was for everything; for the whole chain of events which stemmed from his bad decisions. Starting from going upon on the mountain despite not feeling up to it, and in spite of the bad weather report. Even though it all stemmed from his fear of disappointing Jimmy, how could he explain that? How could he explain what had caused his mind to freeze, up there on the mountain when he didn't fully understand it himself? How despite all his training, the thought of making a wrong decision where Jimmy's safety was concerned crippled him from being able to decide anything at all.

All he could muster up was a feeble, "I'm so sorry... I... I really am."

"Well 'sorry' doesn't cut it Mister!" Mrs. Capra literally snarled.

As Ron drove home he felt as though he was running away. Running away from Mrs. Capra's anger. Running away from the events of the day. And running away from Jimmy. From the frightening responsibility of parenthood.

CHAPTER FOUR.

The Bronchitis Ron awoke the day after the stormy events on the mountain with a tickle in his throat that wouldn't go away. If he thought getting out of bed was difficult the day before- it was next to impossible today. He dragged himself into the shower; and with much effort got himself dressed to drive Kat to her Uncle Lenny and Aunt Antoinette's.

Ron climbed in his SUV, and looking at his watch, he knew they'd be late. But at least he hadn't caused Kat to miss Sunday breakfast with her family. Even when he was on duty he tried to be able to stop in for breakfast at Kat's Aunt and Uncle's. It was an important family tradition.

Kat's father died when she and her little sister Angel were young girls; and Lenny had become a father figure to his sister's daughters. He took that response- bility very serious. Lenny, who besides being Kat's uncle was also Ron's boss; and his wife Antoinette, who Kat and her sister Angel simply called 'Auntie', insisted that the family gather at their table for Sunday breakfast each week. Auntie was a wonderful cook, a warm hospitable hostess, and was quick to make Ron feel like family.

Noticing how Ron looked when he and Kat joined them for breakfast, Lenny shook his head and frowned, "Lookin' pretty puny, Ron. You better take one of those sick days you've been h.o.a.rding. Take a day to get some rest."

Lenny was the watch commander at Lake County Sheriff Department, and had a strong work ethic.

"For Lenny to tell me to take a day off I must look like I'm dying," thought Ron. He was glad Mrs. Capra had turned down the invitation to join them for the family breakfast. Besides not wanting to face her after the unpleasant episode when he dropped Jimmy off the previous evening, he would hate to give her and Jimmy any germs that he may have. Looking across the table at Uncle Lenny, Auntie, Angel and his mother- in-law, Caroline Amoretti, Ron felt guilty that he may be spreading germs to Kat's family.

"Maybe I better go, I don't want to..."

"Nonsense!" Auntie said and shot her husband a look for his rude remark. "What you need is a hearty breakfast, now you just sit there and I'll get you some green tea and honey for your throat."

After breakfast Ron and Kat went grocery shopping; but put off a couple other planned errands. As they walked the isles of the grocery store, Ron could feel his energy evaporating with each step. When he and Kat finally returned home, after putting the perishable groceries away, they both hit the sofa and catnapped all afternoon. As the afternoon turned into evening Ron had a full blown cough and was running a fever and he couldn't swallow without wincing. "I'd better call in sick tomorrow," he said to Kat. She nodded.

"I think I'll join you," Kat replied without a smile.

The next morning they both were burning up with fever and coughing. The couple was glad that they had stocked up on throat spray and cough drops the day before; and thankful too, when a knock on the door revealed Auntie with some homemade Greek lemon chicken and rice soup.

"You too?" she exclaimed when she saw Kat. Well there is enough here for the both of you. Now let me go make some tea. You both should be in bed. Kat was too weak to argue; she just turned around and went towards the bedroom with Ron following her.

The next day found the two just as sick if not worse; and as much as they would have rather just stay in bed, being county employees, they both had to get a doctor's excuse.

Returning home later, with medical excuses and prescription strength cough syrup, they found Caroline waiting on the porch. She had brought more soup, but Kat refused to let her in the house.

"No Mom," she said through the car door between coughs. "Just leave it there; I don't want to make you sick. How is Auntie? I hope she didn't catch anything from us." After arguing a bit Caroline finally put the pot of soup on the table next to the glider and left. Ron retrieved the soup on the way into the house; and after putting it in the fridge he stumbled back to the sofa and bundled up until he stopped shaking.

"What a wimp I've turned into!" he muttered through chattering teeth. Kat tried to laugh but could barely muster up a grin.

Over the next few days Kat and Ron grew sicker and sicker. They no longer could sleep in their bed, because even with multiple pillows they coughed until they gagged each time they tried to lie down. They took to sleeping sitting up on the sofa with their feet propped on the coffee table, holding hands and blankets tucked around them. They were both so sick and weak that one night Kat actually thought, "This is how they are going to find us." But she was too weak to do anything but drift back into a cough filled sleep.

They sat there wheezing and coughing day after day, night after night; every day Caroline or Auntie rang the bell and left soup on the porch, and then sat in their car until Ron retrieved it.

The days turned into a week with Kat and Ron just getting sicker. Finally Lenny showed up wearing a hospital mask and wouldn't take no for an answer about coming inside. Handing them both masks he said, "Look, this has gone on too long, you two are so sick you aren't rational. I'm taking you to the ER now- or I'm calling an ambulance. Your choice." Ron and Kat gave in, put the masks on, bundled up and Lenny helped Kat to his truck, with Ron following weakly behind.

After what seemed like hours in the waiting room of Sutter Lakeside Hospital, followed by a couple more hours in the treatment rooms they were released with antibiotics and instructions for liquids and bed rest. They were diagnosed with bronchitis.

"This is not just bronchitis," Kat groaned on the ride home, "this is 'THE' bronchitis!"

"Yeah, this is the mother of all bronchitis's" Ron tried to joke between coughs. "I can't ever remember being this sick," Ron complained in between more coughing spasms. "Hey Lenny, thanks for taking us and hanging out with us in there."

"No problem," Lenny replied gruffly "I've never seen ER treatment rooms with TVs. I may just break an arm to go back!" he joked.

Lenny got the antibiotic prescriptions filled before taking Ron and Kat home. After helping them inside, he made the two as comfortable as possible then heated up a couple large cups of soup, and made some tea. He also rinsed the soup bowls, spoons and tea cups that filled the kitchen sink and put them in the dish washer and turned it on. Going through the house, Lenny filled a trash bag with the piles of tissue left here and there. After was.h.i.+ng up, and instructing the patients to call him each morning and each evening he left. What he didn't say was that both his wife and sister were sick as well. But they had already seen the doctor and were on antibiotics.

As Ron started feeling better his thoughts went to Little Jimmy. He felt guilty at just how relieved he had felt to have a legitimate excuse to cancel their weekly outings. When he could speak without coughing he'd give him a call. But right now he had a bigger problem on his hands. His wife was not responding to the antibiotic.

Kat's fever wouldn't break and she was so weak she couldn't get off the sofa by herself. Although Ron was able to lie down he slept next to his wife sitting up on the sofa holding her hand. Another trip to the ER was in order, but Ron felt well enough to drive her, instead of calling on Lenny.

As Kat napped in the ER treatment room Ron sat on a chair next to her bed holding her hand. The TV was on but Ron was too worried to pay attention to it.

"Pneumonia" Dr. Betat confirmed as he returned from reading the chest x-ray. "We need to change antibiotics and she needs plenty of liquids and bed rest. She shouldn't be alone. Does she have someone to be with her."

"I've used up all my sick leave," Ron thought but replied quickly, "I can put in for an emergency family leave." Although he knew Kat's mother would be glad to help, he wouldn't shrug off his responsibility. He wanted to take care of his ailing wife.

"Okay... if you are sure she won't be left alone I won't admit her. But she can't be left alone in this condition. And if this antibiotic doesn't bring down her fever or if her condition doesn't show improvement or gets worse bring her right back."

When Ron got his sick wife home and comfortably tucked in on the sofa. He brought her some soup and fed her. She was so weak from the trip to the hospital that she couldn't hold the spoon. Ron was happy to have her home; he couldn't imagine leaving her in the hospital.

"What would I do without you?" he said softly to his sleeping wife.

Ron napped off and on during the day next to his wife, since his strength had not returned completely after such a long illness. But he managed to get the house back in order, and kept the dishes and laundry clean. His mother-in-law and Auntie, who had recovered from their bout with 'The Bronchitis' kept them supplied with meals- but he was getting a bit tired of soup.

Unable to leave his wife and go shopping himself, Ron called Lenny and asked him to pick up a few things that he read from a short list. Lenny delivered no less than six shopping bags filled with steaks, eggs, French bread, potatoes and salad fixings and other vegetables.

"Figured you were 'bout ready for some 'man food' by now." Lenny said gruffly as Ron tried to object to all the groceries.

"Well, guess you're right. Thanks!"

"Don't mention it. And I mean don't mention it to Antoinette or Caroline! They won't like it if they thought you were tired of their cooking," Lenny laughed as he headed for the door. "I won't stay- guess I've exposed my self to your germs enough," and laughed again. "You take care of my girl!" No laugh this time.

Ron returned to Kat who was awake now, "Did I hear Uncle Lenny's voice"

"Yeah he just left. He didn't want to wake you. How are you feeling? Any better?" Ron asked hopefully.

"A little, maybe." Kat lied, the new antibiotic hadn't made much difference so far. Ron wasn't fooled. He knew his wife and knew she was much more ill than she was letting on. He was worried.

When they were both so sick it was hard. But at least they were both coughing and spitting up mucus. Now that it was just Kat, she was embarra.s.sed.

"I hate how illnesses take away your dignity," Kat groaned to herself as Ron left the room. She knew Ron was worried, but she felt uncomfortable with his hovering. She wished he was well enough to go back to work, but she knew his job was so stressful that he would end up relapsing if he returned too soon. Still she wished he had a distraction that would keep him from checking on her every two minutes.

"Boy are you ungrateful!" Kat scolded herself. "How many women would give their eyetooth to have a such a doting husband?" she sighed and tried to snuggled into the pillow but it only sent her into another coughing spasm and before she could cough up the phlegm Ron was at her bedside with his worried look and asking if he could do anything.

"Ron! Please! Let me alone! I'm just coughing!" Kat gasped between coughs. Then seeing the hurt in his face, she apologized, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound so crabby.... It's just embarra.s.sing. I hate you seeing me like this."

"Well you must be getting better- your vanity is returning," Ron joked, trying to not be hurt. "It's just the fever talking," he kept reminding himself as Kat had become increasingly crabby.

"Okay. Well, I think the laundry is ready to come out of the dryer," Ron said, leaving the room. But he really went to the dining room and opening the china hutch he retrieved the tiny little silver table bell that was given to them as a wedding gift. "This is finally going to come in handy." Ron murmured to himself and returned to Kat's bedside. "Here ya go, Kat. I'm going to be busy finis.h.i.+ng up the laundry, so if you need me just ring this and I'll come running." Ron forced a grin; but Kat's smile was genuine and grateful.

Ron returned to the laundry room; and as he busied himself with folding towels, his mind wandered to Jimmy and the first hike on Mt. Konocti. That day was such fun. He remembered how great he felt when he was teaching Little Jimmy about the many plants and animals on the mountain. He really missed him. He spent a few minutes berating him self for getting cold feet about the adoption, after the last day on Konocti with Jimmy. It was scary in that lightning storm having someone you cared about totally depending on you for their safety... "But isn't that what families are all about?!" Ron growled to himself. "And isn't that what fathers do? Take care of their kids!" Ron had never felt so guilty in his entire life as now, remembering the relief he felt over having an excuse for flaking on Jimmy. "I should never have blown off that outing- I could have at least handled it better. I should have called him and told him myself," Ron said himself. He knew it was going to take time to regain Jimmy's trust. And Mrs. Capra's. He would call right now. No more putting it off!

Ron had called Mrs. Capra's house several times but Little Jimmy was never available to talk. Ron was beginning to wonder if Jimmy was avoiding him, and again felt a twinge of guilt. This time he would press the issue.

"Mrs. Capra did you give Jimmy my messages?"

"Of course I did, but Jimmy has been busy. Look, Ron I don't know what to say... At first he was very hurt; and I'm sure he felt rejected. It's hard for kids to understand how an illness can prevent adults from keeping a promise. Or from staying in touch." Ron winced, as he listened, "Especially when the child has had so much to deal with in the way of rejections." Ron knew Mrs. Capra was deliberately not holding any punches; and although it hurt, Ron knew he deserved being chastised. But he wasn't prepared for what came next.

"But never mind that. Jimmy is doing fine. He has been going on group outings with a new business man in town. Mr. Melbourne- William Melbourne." Mrs. Capra continued, "We met him at a CMAS fundraiser. He is a fine man. He has donated a new exhibit for the museum. He's been taking kids hiking and fis.h.i.+ng. He seems to be just as obsessed with Konocti as Jimmy. He's become quite fond of Mr. Melbourne- although I don't approve of all the gifts being lavis.h.i.+ng upon him... But he's having a great time; and that's what's important. So don't worry about him. But I'll tell him you called again." And she hung up.

Ron felt like someone knocked the wind out of him.

CHAPTER FIVE.

Shark In The Lake "Big Fish In A Little Pond" was the headline in the Record Bee.

"Bet this goes over real well with the locals," Ron scoffed. Reading on he found out that the headline was a direct quote from William Melbourne, who according to the article, had decided to settle down in Lake County after traveling abroad for several years with his wife. Ron's frown deepened as he read the first few paragraphs of the article which were full of praise for William Melbourne; and all the dollars he had been throwing at various children's organizations in Lake County.

"Who is this guy Melbourne?" Ron wanted to know. "Can't anyone look past his wallet? Am I the only person wondering what brought him to Lake County? And where does he come from?... hmmm... And why is he bestowing so many gifts on Jimmy?"

Kat looked up from her tea, "Well, since you wanted to back out of our adoption plans maybe this is just as well. You should be happy that someone is taking an interest in Jimmy." She didn't mean to sound spiteful, but couldn't hide her resentment or the disappointment from her voice. It had been a blow to her when Ron voiced his reluctance to pursue the adoption after his last Konocti trip with Little Jimmy. She had already begun to think of him as their son.

Ron winced at Kat's comment. She hadn't said much when he expressed his hesitations and doubts about following through with the adoption; and not a word when he cancelled outings and 'family nights'. Not a word. She had not made any phone calls either. Resentment towards her rose up spurred by defensiveness. "Besides shouldn't she be supportive of my decisions. And be more understanding of my feelings?" Ron growled to himself, and then said, "So- nice to know how you really..." Ron stopped abruptly before saying too much, and walked briskly out of the kitchen. He didn't want to get into another argument.

Kat and he had never argued before all this adoption business. She had called him a child, for not facing Jimmy in person.

"I shouldn't have acted that way. Why am I blaming her? How can she back me up and take my feelings into consideration when I don't talk to her about my feelings of inadequacy." Ron stopped abruptly.

"Inadequacy?..." He frowned, "Where did that come from? I'm not inadequate!" His frown deepened. "Where did that idea come from. I don't feel inadequate." At least he had never acknowledged the feeling. Never had been confronted with it. He had always been able to dodge it. He had always pushed himself to succeed. In school, in sports, on the job- he excelled at everything. Never gave an opening for the feelings he had felt as a boy, to surface.

Ron's mind drifted back to those unhappy years after the death of his father. He wasn't much older than Little Jimmy.