And Along Came Jake (25 page)

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Time Goes On

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It was February 1945, and Little Paul was the sweetest, and happiest three week old baby the world had ever seen. It was also Edwin's twenty-second birthday. So Jake and Madison bundled up the baby and headed to Edwin and Ashley's to celebrate.

They arrived at the house, and there were already a handful of people there with a few more on the way. Although it was Edwin's special day, Little Paul Patterson was the one getting most of the attention.

After eating lunch, Ashley presented Edwin with a huge chocolate cake simply reading, 'Happy Birthday Edwin.' in white frosting. Everyone sang Happy Birthday, with a few alternate endings from some of the guests.

Once everyone had a slice of cake, Ashley called for them to gather in the living room so Edwin could open his gifts. He opened Smitty's first, receiving a small box of crafting tools. Then he opened a shaving kit from Mr. Dobbins. Jake and Madison gave him a painting Madison finished a few nights before, and Edwin's parents gave him a nice set of pots and pans. Gift after gift, Edwin was thrilled, getting exactly what he wanted or needed.

"Thanks everyone, these gifts are swell!" Edwin said looking over all of his new things.

"Oh" Ashley called, with excitement in her voice. "There's one more gift you haven't opened yet." She handing him a small wrapped box, about four inches tall, four inches wide and four inches deep.

Edwin took the box and read the label out loud, "To my wonderful husband, love Ashley." Edwin looked over at his wife, smiled, thanked her, and began to tear open the wrapping, exposing a small, plain brown box. He slowly removed the lid, and reached in, pulling out a few cotton balls until he found a folded piece of paper at the bottom.

The puzzled look on his face was priceless, causing everyone in the room to wonder what was written on that little piece of paper. Edwin slowly pulled it out, unfolded it and smiled.

"We're gonna have a baby!" He read aloud in a proud voice, then he and his wife hugged and kissed while everyone else cheered.

"I propose a toast!" Jake happily said, holding up his glass. "To Edwin, Ashley and their first child!"

"Here, here!" the rest of the group yelled in unison, raising their glasses and taking a sip.

After a while, the party was winding down and everyone slowly began to leave, wishing Edwin a happy birthday once more, and congratulating he and Ashley on the news of their pregnancy.

Jake, Madison and Little Paul decided to stay a bit longer, and they all sat in the living room sipping freshly made cinnamon tea, talking and watching Little Paul as he slept.

As Ashley got up to make another pot of tea, there was a strong knock at their front door. Unaware of who it might be, Edwin got up, to answer it. He opened the door, and couldn't believe his eyes. Standing before him was Phil Glosman, Ernie Glosman's father, and the head coach of the St. Louis Cardinals.

"Hey!" Edwin exclaimed. "You're –– you're Phil Glosman––THE Phil Glosman!"

"Yes" Mr. Glosman said as he chuckled "Yes, I know."

"Hey, it's Phil Glosman!" Edwin said to his wife and company. "He's the head coach of the St. Louis Cardinals!"

"Edwin, why don't you let the man––" Jake began to say as he was cut off.

"Honey!" Edwin called, interrupting Jake. "Do you know who this man is, standing at our door?"

"Let me guess." Ashley said, smiling "Phil Glosman right? How about you let him in darlin', it's cold out there!"

After Mr. Glosman came inside, Edwin asked if he'd like to have a seat, but Mr. Glosman respectfully declined. He said he could only stay a few minutes, as he had to head back to St. Louis. He took out a letter from the inside of his trench coat, and held it in front of him for everyone to see.

"I believe you know my son, Ernie Glosman. He sent me letters about you, Patterson and Big Tex. He told me about the things you boys went through on the beaches of Normandy. He sent me this letter from the hospital in England, just before he was put back in action.––He always told me you really knew your stuff when it came to baseball. Anyways, what I'm trying to say is––would you like a job Edwin? I'm trying to build my staff with quality assistant coaches, and I think you'd make a mighty fine member of our team."

"I––I don't know what to say, Mr. Glosman" Edwin replied "I mean, is Ernie alright? Why would you want me? No disrespect sir, but you don't even know me, or what kind of a coach I'd be. I've only coached high school ball so far."

"Ernie's just fine." he said "He and Big Tex are scheduled to come back to the states in the next few weeks, but that's not the reason I'm here. Look Edwin, I really need a good third base coach right now, and if my son trusts and believes in you, then I trust and believe in you. So, what do ya say? Of course you know, you'll have to leave Blackwater and move to St. Louis. We'll pay for your move and set you up in a nice house, with a big yard and everything."

"Well thank you Mr. Glosman." Edwin said as he looked down at the floor. "But I think I need some time to talk it over with my––"

"Mr. Glosman" Ashley interrupted "He'll take it!"

"Ashley, are you sure? I mean with the baby and all?" Edwin questioned.

"Edwin, darling this is what you've wanted your entire life, just take it, everything's gonna be fine. We'll only be a few of hours away from Blackwater anyway. Honey, this is your dream, I have mine, I married you and I'm pregnant with our first child. Please, you owe this to yourself… don't let this opportunity pass you by."

"Well Coach!" Edwin said, firmly shaking his hand. "When do I start?"

"That's what I wanted to hear Birch!" Coach Glosman said, shaking his hand. He reached in his pocket and pulled out two train tickets leaving Blackwater, and arriving in St. Louis, exactly one month to the day. "We'll give you a month to pack your things, and we'll even send movers to haul your stuff. Don't worry Birch, the Cardinals will take very good care of you and your family."

"I don't know what to say, coach?"

"Just be the best assistant coach you can be, and everything will take care of itself. Now if y'all will excuse me, I must be going. We'll be in touch, Birch!"

Edwin saw him out and closed the door. Mr. Glosman overheard screams of joy from inside the house. He smiled, shook his head, got in his car and drove away.

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The month flew by, and before they knew it, Edwin and Ashley were in St. Louis, and Edwin was working with the Cardinal's, getting ready for the season to start in April.

They played their first game on April 17, 1945, losing to the Chicago Cubs. The remainder of the month was hit and miss, but they came out on top, with five wins and four losses.

The rest of the season, ticket sales went through the roof, as soldiers fighting in the war slowly made it back home, after the death of Hitler, and the German surrender on May 7, 1945.

Ernie Glosman and Big Tex both survived the war, and came back to the United States in mid-June. Big Tex went back to work, bailing hay with his father in Sugarland Texas, while Ernie turned down an Assistant Coaching position to work as the Cardinals Equipment Manager, and Injured Player Rehabilitation Director.

On Sunday July 15, 1945 the Cardinals played the San Francisco Giants in St. Louis. Jake, Madison and their baby were asked to attend, along with Big Tex and his fiancée Amanda, they were given travel expenses, and invited to stay as guests at Ernie's house during their visit.

Right before the game began, Jake, Edwin, Ernie and Big Tex were called by the announcer to join the singer of the national anthem on the pitcher's mound. The four in their military dress uniforms walked the field toward the mound, and the crowd became silent as the announcer spoke.

"Please stand to your feet, and turn your attention to the pitcher's mound, for the singing of our national anthem by Marty Carpenter. Standing next to him are four men who fought valiantly together on the beaches of Normandy. From left to right, we have St. Louis very own Ernie Glosman, Edwin Birch, Jake Patterson and last but not least, Stanly Freeman, from the great big state of Texas."

The crowd immediately began to clap, cheer and holler for the brave soldiers before them, who fought courageously for this great country. Also in the stands were fellow soldiers, who came to watch the game, dressed in their military uniforms. Men and women around them took a moment to thank them for their service, shook their hands, and gave them a pat on their back.

This went on, until Mr. Carpenter's voice came through the loudspeaker, singing the national anthem. Right hands were placed over hearts, soldiers saluted, and everyone sang the anthem, along with Marty Carpenter.

After the Cardinals win, the four veterans and their loved ones drove to Edwin and Ashley's house to catch up and talk about old times. They talked and talked for what seemed like hours. It was nearly one a.m. when Ernie, Big Tex, along with their fiancées left Edwin's.

Jake, Madison, Edwin and Ashley stayed up for a little longer, talking and cleaning up. Then around 1:30 a.m., Jake and Madison took Little Paul, to the spare bedroom, and went right to sleep. Likewise, Edwin and Ashley went to their room and were asleep in no time.

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Day by day, time marched on, and soon Edwin and Ashley welcomed a little girl they named Susan Catherine Birch, and in no time, she was already one years old. Jake's mom, Maggie Patterson finally married in 1946, with Jake giving her away to a good man, James Tatum.

In early 1948, Chad and Misty Westfield, fulfilled their long time dream, to move away from the small town of Blackwater and into a big city. They took their chances, and moved to New York to start a new life together. Once or twice a year they would head back to visit family and friends in Blackwater, describing life in the Big Apple.

Big Tex quit bailing hay, and joined the Sugarland Police Department, saying he needed more excitement in his life since returning from war. He took his job very seriously, did it right, took pride in his role, and was promoted faster than any other officer on the force.

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In 1950, Smitty was the first resident in Blackwater to own a black and white television. There were only four shows on at that time, but a night didn't go by, that his house wasn't filled with people, fascinated by this growing technology. He also bought a plastic film that went over the screen called a celluloid, giving the impression of a colored TV. This plastic film had a blue tinted strip on top for the sky, red tint in the middle, and a green tinted strip on the bottom to symbolize grass.

Jake hired two young men at Big Paul's furniture store, to assist Tommy. He was now running the business with ease, making some good money. So well in fact, that Tommy and his wife completely paid off her medical bills, and were now in the process of buying Big Paul's house from Jake.

Ernie Glosman married his long time love, Melanie; continuing to work for the St. Louis Cardinals alongside his father and good friend Edwin. Edwin was now coach Glosman's right hand man, and next in line for head coach, whenever Phil Glosman decided to retire.

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Brierly continued residing in Blackwater, working for the railroad. They would often travel to St. Louis, visiting their daughter, son in law, and granddaughter, catching a Cardinals game whenever possible.

Mr. and Mrs. Nate Brierly steadily worked and grew their crops, successfully selling more than they ever had in the past. In their spare time they would beg Jake and Madison to leave Little Paul, as well as the newest addition to their family, Connie Lorraine Patterson with them. She was born on a bright, sunny day on April 3, 1950.

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In the summer of 1952, Jake and Madison were both twenty-nine years old, Little Paul was seven, and Connie had just celebrated her second birthday. Little Paul, was growing up fast, and had become very curious and adventurous. He would often ask about the old barn, and why it was off limits. Fearing he would eventually escape their supervision, and explore it by himself, Jake and Madison decided they would end his curiosity, and take him to the old barn, now dilapidated and falling apart at the seams. It was so unstable that it literally leaned to one side, and in some areas, the rotting wood, would easily crumble with the slightest touch.

Arriving at the old barn, Little Paul was absolutely fascinated with the rundown structure. Jake took him to the big tree just outside the door, picked him up, and showed him the name carved in it many years ago.

"J-A-K-E" Little Paul spelled aloud, running his tiny finger over the grooves. "That's you, daddy!" he said as he smiled.

"That's right son." Jake agreed. "I carved my name in this tree the very first day I stayed in this old barn. I was about twelve years old.

"Can we go inside the barn daddy?" he asked

"Okay" Jake said reluctantly. "But only for a minute, it's not safe."

Jake and Little Paul walked in, and Madison followed cautiously behind, holding an anxious and excited Connie.