head
would crash onto the table any minute. I lost count of how many
drinks he managed to gulp down. All I know is that it took our
waiter with the nose ring and several of his co-workers to help me
stuff Jack Kyle into a cab for his solo ride home.
Chapter Twelve
The Great Flood of 1993 affected an area that
covered 745 square miles and has been called one of the most costly
and devastating events ever to occur in the United States. Damage
estimates exceeded 15 billion dollars and one man in Illinois was
given a life sentence for causing a catastrophe by breeching a
levee, ostensibly to keep his wife on the other side so he could
continue partying.
In the fall of 1992, the rain started and that
winter brought heavy snow. Spring brought more rain and a weather
pattern that continued to hammer the same area throughout the
summer. One of the areas inundated was Chesterfield Valley in St.
Louis County. For several weeks, the water blocked a major artery
in the area, Highway 64. Enormous traffic jams tied up the entire
area, virtually paralyzing businesses because people were unable to
get to work.
Roni remembered the video of the flooding as she
drove through Chesterfield Valley to meet Billy. Several levees
that surrounded the Valley had been rebuilt and strengthened after
the flood. As a result, hundreds of businesses and restaurants had
flocked to the area. Roni was amazed at the continuously growing
number that had been built, wondering if these new levees could
withstand another onslaught of rain like 1992 and 1993.
Roni was on her way to Annie
Gunns, a popular restaurant that was one of the original
inhabitants of the Valley. When the water finally receded, the
restaurant had to be rebuilt. Space was added inside as well as an
outdoor patio that was covered and now had removable sides and
heaters in the winter. Roni navigated the busy intersections,
pulled into the parking lot, and entered the dimly lit restaurant.
She removed her sunglasses to help her eyes adjust. It was a stark
contrast to the bright summer sunshine she left behind outside. She
approached the hostess, who led her to the patio, where Billy was
waiting for her.
Roni thought Billy looked uncomfortable as she
approached the table, and Billy stood, reaching over to give her a
hug. They settled into their chairs and were about to exchange
greetings when their waiter arrived. Drink orders taken and menus
in hand, they finally began their conversation.
“ How are Harley and the kids?”
Billy asked.
“ Everyone’s well,” Roni said. “Did
Emma call you?”
“ Yeah, I can’t believe I’m going
to be a great-grandpa. It seems like yesterday Emma was just a
toddler. I’m getting old.”
“ You don’t have to tell me about
that,” Roni said as the waiter brought their drinks and recited the
specials for the day.
“ I’d like potato pancake
appetizer,” Billy said. “You can try it Roni, it’s great. Then I’d
like the Chef’s burger of the day.”
“ I’d like the salad special,” Roni
said as the waiter nodded and left.
“ So, Dad, what did you want to
talk to me about?”
“ Roni, you know how hard those
years after your mother’s stroke were for all of us,” Billy said.
“I was exhausted after your mother died. And then I was alone in
that big house. I needed a fresh start. Some place without all
those memories. I gave you the house because I knew you would feel
at home there. I moved to Alton because I grew up there and it felt
right for me.”
“ I understood why you moved,
Dad.”
“ Well, I’d been really lonely
since your mom died,” Billy said. “When I met Marian I felt my life
was better. We seem compatible and I want to ask her to marry me.
She says she needs that. I guess that’s just the way our generation
is. The thing is, I won’t do it if you can’t accept it. You are
more important to me than Marian. Roni, I feel like this is my last
chance to be happy and have some kind of life. What do
would crash onto the table any minute. I lost count of how many
drinks he managed to gulp down. All I know is that it took our
waiter with the nose ring and several of his co-workers to help me
stuff Jack Kyle into a cab for his solo ride home.
Chapter Twelve
The Great Flood of 1993 affected an area that
covered 745 square miles and has been called one of the most costly
and devastating events ever to occur in the United States. Damage
estimates exceeded 15 billion dollars and one man in Illinois was
given a life sentence for causing a catastrophe by breeching a
levee, ostensibly to keep his wife on the other side so he could
continue partying.
In the fall of 1992, the rain started and that
winter brought heavy snow. Spring brought more rain and a weather
pattern that continued to hammer the same area throughout the
summer. One of the areas inundated was Chesterfield Valley in St.
Louis County. For several weeks, the water blocked a major artery
in the area, Highway 64. Enormous traffic jams tied up the entire
area, virtually paralyzing businesses because people were unable to
get to work.
Roni remembered the video of the flooding as she
drove through Chesterfield Valley to meet Billy. Several levees
that surrounded the Valley had been rebuilt and strengthened after
the flood. As a result, hundreds of businesses and restaurants had
flocked to the area. Roni was amazed at the continuously growing
number that had been built, wondering if these new levees could
withstand another onslaught of rain like 1992 and 1993.
Roni was on her way to Annie
Gunns, a popular restaurant that was one of the original
inhabitants of the Valley. When the water finally receded, the
restaurant had to be rebuilt. Space was added inside as well as an
outdoor patio that was covered and now had removable sides and
heaters in the winter. Roni navigated the busy intersections,
pulled into the parking lot, and entered the dimly lit restaurant.
She removed her sunglasses to help her eyes adjust. It was a stark
contrast to the bright summer sunshine she left behind outside. She
approached the hostess, who led her to the patio, where Billy was
waiting for her.
Roni thought Billy looked uncomfortable as she
approached the table, and Billy stood, reaching over to give her a
hug. They settled into their chairs and were about to exchange
greetings when their waiter arrived. Drink orders taken and menus
in hand, they finally began their conversation.
“ How are Harley and the kids?”
Billy asked.
“ Everyone’s well,” Roni said. “Did
Emma call you?”
“ Yeah, I can’t believe I’m going
to be a great-grandpa. It seems like yesterday Emma was just a
toddler. I’m getting old.”
“ You don’t have to tell me about
that,” Roni said as the waiter brought their drinks and recited the
specials for the day.
“ I’d like potato pancake
appetizer,” Billy said. “You can try it Roni, it’s great. Then I’d
like the Chef’s burger of the day.”
“ I’d like the salad special,” Roni
said as the waiter nodded and left.
“ So, Dad, what did you want to
talk to me about?”
“ Roni, you know how hard those
years after your mother’s stroke were for all of us,” Billy said.
“I was exhausted after your mother died. And then I was alone in
that big house. I needed a fresh start. Some place without all
those memories. I gave you the house because I knew you would feel
at home there. I moved to Alton because I grew up there and it felt
right for me.”
“ I understood why you moved,
Dad.”
“ Well, I’d been really lonely
since your mom died,” Billy said. “When I met Marian I felt my life
was better. We seem compatible and I want to ask her to marry me.
She says she needs that. I guess that’s just the way our generation
is. The thing is, I won’t do it if you can’t accept it. You are
more important to me than Marian. Roni, I feel like this is my last
chance to be happy and have some kind of life. What do
Similar Books
