"Millions to One"

It is after midnight. The Kimball residence in South Highlands is dark, save a light on in the living room. Rose Kimball sits alone in her nightgown, overcome with emotion. She laughs, smiles, sniffs and sobs. The middle aged woman looks once more at the well worn “little black book” in her hand, gently closes it, and works to compose herself. Slowly, Rose creaks her way upright, turns out the light and heads to bed.

Little thought is given the motions of preparing for bed. Rose alternately smiles and sobs as she turns down the covers. She lays to rest, dries her eyes and reflects before moving to her bedside to pray.

“Thank you, Lord. Thank you. After all these years...” Rose smiles and fights the tears.

“And he lives just up the road.” She laughs to herself. “How strange...how wonderfully strange.” She pauses for thought. “I hope he'll see me...” Rose wipes at her moist eyes. “I hope he'll know this old gal is his sister...It's been so long.”

Very suddenly, there is a loud rumbling followed by an explosive boom.

__________

Police and fire trucks are gathered at the Kimball home. There is a three foot hole in the front yard. Rose is being treated for a minor head injury in the back of an ambulance. The media is setting up lights as a car screeches to a stop and Rose's daughter, Mary Beth, runs to her side.

“Mama?! Omigod, MAMA!! Are you all right?!”

Rose dismisses the EMT.

“I'm fine. Really. Thank you.” She looks to her daughter. “I'm okay.” Rose and her daughter share a deep embrace. “I'm okay. In fact, I'm more than okay.”

Mary Beth pulls back from her mother.

“How's that possible, Mama?! You're all cut up.”

Rose touches her head.

“Oh, it's nothing, really.”

“What about the house? And the yard? What the hell happened here, Mama?!”

“Well, I'm not sure exactly. Something fell from the sky, a meteor or space junk or something.”

“Space junk?! What does that mean?!”

“Well, I...”

“So, something sails in from outer space, takes out the porch...”

Rose calmly nods. “My bed...”

“Your BED?! Oh, sweet Jesus! Were you in it?!” Rose indicates she is whole.

“No, I was praying.” Mary Beth surveys the destruction.

“Praying?! Well, that's one hell of an answer, Mama.” Mary Beth takes a big breath and tries to calm. “So, what am I missing here? This...space thing blows up the house, almost kills you, makes a crater in the yard and you're ‘more than okay?’ Mama, you're in shock!”

Rose takes her daughter’s hands and studies her.

“I found him, Mary Beth.”

“Found who, Mama? Satan?! I told you to get rid of that Ouija board a long time ago. But, nooo. Now look!”

Rose smiles and shakes her head ‘no’.

“Jimmy. I found my brother Jimmy.”

Mary Beth stops cold and takes in what her mother has said.

“You found him?!”

Rose nods.

“When? How?!”

“That detective man you didn't like...”

“Mr. Jonas?”

Rose nods, breaks into a big smile and starts to cry.

“It's not that I didn't like the guy, he just seemed pushy is all. So, where? How?”

Rose wipes away tears but they keep coming.

“I don't know how. I think he told me but I don't remember. I was, STILL AM, shocked. I just can't believe little Jimmy is alive and okay.”

Rose breaks down. She tries to talk through her tears. “Clifton.”

“Who's Clifton?”

Rose waves her hand in an attempt to talk. Finally, she manages to speak.

“Clifton Street. Jimmy lives on Clifton Street.”

“Here?! Clifton Street HERE?!”

Rose nods and cries some more. Mary Beth tries to comprehend.

“Why?! How is that even possible? You two were put up for adoption in Passaic, New Jersey a million years ago. How'd HE end up here? How long's he been here?”

Rose can only shake her head as she blows her nose and tries to stop the flow of tears.

“I...I don't know. Something to do with the military.” Rose searches her memory. “Air Force. Ended up stationed at Barksdale... Miller's his last name now.”

“You are KIDDING ME! So, he's been living here for what, forty years?”

Rose can't take anymore.

“Forty two!”

Mary Beth hugs her mother tightly and caresses her.

“Oh, Mama.”

“All those years!”

“It's okay, Mama. You found him. That's what's important. You found him. You two still have lots of time.”

Rose can only nod. A reporter approaches, looking for an interview.

“Ma'am? Ms. Kimball? Can we get a quick comment from you?”

Mary Beth speaks for her mother. “Not now. Maybe later.”

“I understand. Here's my card, when you're ready.”

Mary Beth accepts the card and indicates the hole. “Any idea what caused it?”

“I'm told it was probably a piece of Warrior 3, an old military satellite from the seventies. Apparently, NASA's been tracking it and thought it'd just burn up over the Gulf.”

“Guess they were wrong.”

“Guess so.”

Mary Beth shakes her head. “Man, what are the odds, huh?”

“Millions to one, I'd say.”

“Hear that, Mama? Millions to one.” Rose nods. “C'mon, let's get you inside. You want some tea?” Rose nods. “I'll make us a pot and we'll just relax in the den.” Mary Beth looks up to see the den has been damaged too. “Or the kitchen. The kitchen sounds nice.”

Afternoon light shines through the sheer curtains of the living room. A teapot and two cups, long idle, rest on the coffee table. Mary Beth’s form does not look comfortable molded into the confines of a stubby couch that has seen better days. Rose stirs from her favorite chair, awakens with a start, and screams.

“NO! NO!”

Instantly, Mary Beth is upon the moment and rushes to her mother's side.

Mama! Mama, it's okay. It's okay.

Rose is confused.

“What are you doing here? Why am I...oh, God!” Rose tries to run upstairs but Mary Beth stops her.

“Mama, it's okay.”

“My bed!” Rose turns. “The house! No! Nooooo!”

“It's okay, Mama. You survived. The house survived - a little beat up, but it's been needing some new paint anyway.”

“I was laying there, thinking about Jimmy - did I tell you?” Mary Beth nods affirmatively. “And I thought I should say a prayer, thank God for the miracle. Then, there was this BOOM. I didn't know what had happened. The ceiling crumbled everywhere, boards fell - I was pushed or blown back, scared the hell out of me is what it did. I thought a war had started. I ran out of there, out the front door. I just wanted my family! I just wanted...” Rose breaks down.

“I know, I know. Well, I'm here, Mama, and we're fine. Guess we just passed out last night...this morning, whatever.”

Rose is tired of crying. “Oh, Lord, I don't know when I've cried so much. I must look a sight.”

“Except for the gash from the flying satellite that almost killed you, I think you look pretty good, Mama”.

“Warrior, was it?”

“You're the warrior, Mama.” Rose smiles.

“What time is it? I should call Mr. Wood. I imagine there's plenty that'll need fixin'.”

“Probably not too early for him. I'll go put on some coffee. You got any eggs?”

“I did. Won't guarantee they're okay now.”

“Yeah, no kidding. I won't hold you to it.”

Rose goes to the phone as Mary Beth heads off to the kitchen.

Rose and Mary Beth are surveying the damage to the house with the handyman, Mr. Wood.

“Rose Kimball, you are one lucky lady. If it was me, I'd be hole up in a cave somewhere blubbering like an idiot. Gotta say, this is my first meteor repair.”

Rose looks to Mr. Wood and makes the quote sign “Space debris.”

He returns the gesture. “Reckon the government wants the bill for their wayward space debris? Smiles all around. Mr. Wood makes notes on his pad.

“Well, Rose, it's not as bad as it looks and certainly not as bad as it could have been.”

“You're telling me.

“The, whadja call it?”

“Space debris.”

“...Space debris didn't take out any pipes or electrical lines on its way into the front yard, so we're just talking about some cosmetic repairs. Came down through the bedroom, out the floor, through the porch here and down into the yard. Pretty clean overall, and nothing a little sheetrock, plywood, two bys, a few shingles and some plaster won't fix. I'll tarp over the holes this morning and we'll have this ol' gal looking good as new by the end of the week.”

“Oh, bless you, John. You're a saint. This house would've fallen down long ago without you.”

“Naw, she was built right, back in the day. Not like that junk they sling up nowadays. Only thing I can see might need a little extra attention is this column over here. Took a pretty good hit so I'll want to have it checked out by a structural engineer. If he okays it, then we'll just need to track down a creative plasterer. I know a few folks might know somebody. I'll ask around.”

Mary Beth steps up to inspect the hole. “What's that old metal down in there? Some sort of ductwork?” Mr. Wood peers inside.

“Naw. Shouldn't be. Let's have a look.” Mr. Wood takes out a hammer and softly hits the bricks. They fall away as he taps. He reaches inside the column and extracts an old metal lock box. “Somebody's lock box.” He studies the initials. "D.K." Ring a bell?” He puts the box down on the porch. Rose nods knowingly.

“Davis Kimball. My grandfather. Yet another one of his stashes, no doubt.”

“Buried treasure?” Rose shakes her head ‘no’.

“Just papers, most likely. Grandpa was a hoarder of all kinds of stuff. During the Depression he got scared. Hid stuff all over the house to keep folks from stealing it.

Yeah, I remember finding a box like this when I was little. In the crawl space under the house. Had a bunch of buttons, some old square nails and a little wooden box labelled ‘Pieces of string too short to use’.” The trio shares a laugh.

“That was Grandpa.”

“Well, you might get lucky and find a whole ball of twine this time.”

“Open it, Mama. It seems to be your lucky day.”

Rose picks up the box and tries the lid. “It's locked.”

“Here, lemme see that.” Mr. Wood works the lock with a screwdriver and it breaks open. He hands the box back to Rose who lifts the lid.

“Well, I'll be.”

“What is it, Mama?”

Rose starts to extract the contents of the box beginning with an old flag. “Note says ‘Might be worth something someday. D.K’.” Rose unfurls a Confederate flag. “From the ashes of destruction, the South has risen again!” Laughter. Rose continues to poke through the box.

“Looks like a collection of Civil War stuff. Might be some interesting things in here. We'll have to go through it after lunch.”

“After lunch?! Let me see that.” Mary Beth is anxious to see the contents and takes the box. She roots around. “More buttons, although these are cool.”

Mr. Wood takes hold. “Uniform buttons. Worth a little something. Flag's in nice shape. Worth a little something too.”

“A pretty cool case, Mary continues. “Some glasses. Some old letters.”

Mr. Wood receives the mail. “Stamps might be worth something.”

“Some Confederate money. That's cool. A nice little velvet sack with...” Mary Beth peers inside. “Old coins.”

Mr. Wood takes interest. “Coins? May I see?”

“You know anything about - hey, I think they're gold! What's that, about a thousand dollars an ounce now? Woo-hoo! They're little, but you might have a few grand here, Mama.”

Mr. Wood asks again. “May I see?”

“Oh, yeah, sorry.” Mary Beth hands a few coins to Mr. Wood.

“Dahlonegas. Unbelievable.”

Mary Beth does not compute. “English, please.”

“May I see the rest?”

Mary Beth turns over the velvet sack. “Knock yourself out.”

Mr. Wood is stunned. “Dahlonegas. Every last one of them.”

Rose is curious. “Dalla who?”

“Dah-low-nee-ga. See the "D" mint mark on this one?” Mary Beth looks to where he points.

“Yeah. Denver, right?”

“Not back then. The ‘D’ stood for the mint at Dahlonega, Georgia.” He holds one up. “This dollar coin is from 1861, the year Georgia joined the Confederacy. Nobody knows for sure how many were made before the mint was shut down. Best guess is a thousand to fifteen hundred. Only 80 or so have ever surfaced.”

Rose chimes in. “Great grandpa was from there. William Stewart Kimball. Moved West to Shreveport when the war broke out.”

“Well, there you go. Might explain how your grandfather came by 'em.”

Mary Beth smiles. “So it’s pretty rare then?”

“It’s not in the best shape, but 1861-D's in ANY condition…yeah, I’d have to say so.”

Mary Beth looks at her mom and squeals with delight. “Oooh, Mama, wouldn't it be something if you could finally fix your car.

“Oh, honey, I doubt...”

Mr. Wood looks up from studying the coin. “Or just buy a new one.”

Rose looks to Mr. Wood who nods his head. “Twenty grand, easy.”

More squealing.

“Hot dog, Mama!”

Rose takes a deep breath, fans herself and tries to comprehend. “Lord! This day is certainly one for the record books. I don't think I can take much more.” Rose looks to the ceiling. “Thank you, Grandpa Davis. More than you'll ever know.” Rose takes hold of the sack and coins. “Are you sure, John? I just can't imagine someone giving me twenty thousand dollars for this little sack of coins.”

“Not for the sack, no.”

Rose’s expression softens. “I didn't think so.”

“Just that one coin, Rose.”

Rose gasps. “Oh, my...oh, my.” She is dazed.

“Mama, me and you are going out tonight to celebrate!”

“I dunno, Mary Beth. I'm just all hazy. A little out of sorts.”

“Y'think?!” Mary Beth turns to Mr. Wood. “You can come too, Mr. Wood.”

“Yes, John. My treat.”

“I thank you, Rose. I sure do, but I need to make some calls on this project and get to bed early so I can get an early start.”

“Not too early, mind you. I'd like to sleep in a bit.”

“Better clear it with NASA, Mama.” Smiles all around.

“Not to worry, Rose. By the time I load up the materials and round up the fellas it'll be pushing ten.”

“Perfect.”

Mr. Wood nods and tips his hat. “Well, I best be going. Got to go check on the Whittington job.”

Rose and Mary Beth stand up. “Thank you again, John, for coming to my rescue. We'll walk you out.”

The neighbors dog sits in the driveway trying to chew on a wooden croquet ball. A yard service mows and trims. The dog sees the trio emerge from the Kimball house and comes to greet them. He drops the croquet ball along the way. The group walks toward Mr. Wood's truck.

“Well, Rose, thank you for a most exciting morning.” Smiles. Rose rolls her eyes.

“Whew! Don't come 'round expecting a replay tomorrow! I don't think I could match this one!”

“You never know!” Mr. Wood sees the dog and bends to pet him. “Well, hey there fella.”

“That's Shadow. Belongs to the Tibbetts.”

“Yeah, I remember you. Dog's been around awhile.”

Rose looks to Mary Beth. “Yeah, Shadow's gotta be, what, fifteen?”

“Seventeen. I was still in Junior High when they got him.”

“Doesn't seem that long ago.” Rose shakes her head as she bends to pet the dog. “Time surely flies, but you just keep on going, don't you boy? Yeah.”

Mr. Wood arrives at his truck. “Well, lemme get on out of here. You two have a nice celebration tonight, Rose, and congratulations again on finding your brother. I'm sure he'll be happy to see you.”

“Ooh, I'm nervous just thinking about it! Thank you again for all your help. And your knowledge of old coins.”

“Always been a hobby of mine. It was a thrill just to see and touch a prize like that. Buried treasure after all!”

Mary Beth nods in agreement. “I was kinda looking forward to that ball of twine myself. Laughter.

“Well, I'll add that to my shopping list tomorrow.” Smiles. Mr. Wood gets into his truck. “Y’all take care. I'll see you in the morning.”

A honk and a wave as he departs.

Rose points at the sidewalk. “I'm gonna get the paper.”

“Okay. I'll see what I can whip up for lunch. Tuna salad, maybe?”

“Fine by me.”

Mary Beth goes inside as Rose walks to fetch the paper. The wooden croquet ball left by Shadow sits in the grass, right in the path of the approaching mower. Rose waves at the yard man on the mower. He rounds the corner of the yard and, turning towards her, waves back. She bends down to pick up her newspaper. As the smiling yard man turns back to mowing, there is a loud chop followed by a thud. He turns toward the sound of the thud and reacts with horror.

Rose is down in the yard, out cold, apparently hit by the croquet ball. The yard man stops the mower and runs to the rescue shouting.

“Lady, are you all right?! Lady!!”

__________

A cold hospital recovery room. Machinery hums quietly, keeping track of vitals. Eyes flicker open. Rose is alive. From her POV, the room begins to come into focus. A nurse parts the dividing curtain and enters her line of sight.

“Welcome back, Ms. Kimball. You took quite a nasty hit on the head. Can you focus for me? How many fingers am I holding up?”

Rose tries to find her voice but only whispers. She clears her throat and tries again.

“Three.”

“Very good. You just lie back and relax. The doctor will be in to see you in a moment.”

Mary Beth moves to the bedside, tears in her eyes. “Enough already, Mama. You win the Weirdest Day award, okay?” Mary Beth chokes up.

Rose manages a creaky reply. “Warrior.”

“That's right, Mama. You're the warrior. Mary Beth wipes her tears and smiles. “Someone else is here to see you.”

Rose is woozy but makes out the shape of a man as he approaches her bedside. He fights the tears as he leans in close and takes her hand.

“Hello, Rose.” Rose thinks it's Mr. Wood and squeezes his hand.

“John.”

“No, Rose, it's Jimmy...Your brother.”

Rose furrows her brow as she tries to focus. She studies the man as the tears begin to flow.

“Jim-my…Oh, Jimmy.” Rose instinctively reaches for her head in a vain attempt to fix her hair and finds a large bandage. She smiles. “You'll never believe the day I've had.”

Jimmy strokes his sisters face and glows. “Yeah? Try me.”