Appalachian Suite, Along the trail
by J. Pardo libguy3@yahoo.com
Tina's revenge and generousity.


Tina enjoyed the experience, then jerked her hand back. "You can't love me,
you don't even know me. Hell, I don't even know me..." Tina said, crying.

Jake involuntarily hugged Tina, and she sagged into his arms. "Maybe I can
help," he said, wanting to raise her spirits.

"How can you help? We plan to go to town and check the newspapers to see if
there's any mention of a missing child," Tina explained.

"You don't have to, we can check the Internet here," Jake responded with
confidence.

"You have the Internet here? in this old shack?" Tina said incredulously.

"Come with me," Jake said, taking her hand forcefully. Tina followed meekly
with Granny not far behind. In another room, Tina saw a computer with a cable
behind it. She followed the cable until it led outside, then she looked out to
see a small satellite dish. Jake had turned on the computer in the meantime.

"This is amazing," Tina exclaimed. "Here I thought you were some backwoods
mountain man"

"Well, you thought wrong," Jake said with more force then he meant. "I'm a
librarian from Penn State University. I'm home for the Summer helping my pa
out while classes are not in session. I had the satellite installed out here,
and get wonderful reception. My images download at an incredible million bytes
a second. You do know what a Megabyte is, don't you?"

Tina was stung at his tone, "Yes, I know what a megabyte is. I wasn't born
yesterday."

Jake changed his tone at Tina's reaction. 'I'm sorry, but you hit a hot button
with me. Everyone assumes that people out here are backwood idiots, when in
reality there are many who are far wiser than you and I. Remember, things
aren't always what they appear."

Tina looked down when he said that. Granny was living proof of that, yet Tina
had put on an air of superiority. "I'm sorry, really I am. I'm sorry for ever
thinking that Appalachian folk were backwoods." She looked at Granny, who
smiled.

"Now," Jake said, "let's see what we can find out. I'll try typing in 'missing
girl' in the newspapers for the region. I'll start with the Harrisburg paper,
then I'll go bigger, like Philadelphia and Pittsburg." Jake types quickly,
then waits for the results. Within seconds, the Harrisburg paper came back
with zero results. "Hmm, no missing girl for the past week, I'll try Philly."
Seconds later, an article appears, "here's something," Jake replies,
"13-year-old Tina Smalley was reported missing on Saturday. Her parents became
worried when she did not return from school Friday, but waited until Saturday
thinking that she had gone to a friend's house. Thus far, there were no
witnesses to her disappearance. Anyone with information is asked to contact
Crimestoppers... Hey there's even a picture with it." The small picture was
hard to see until Jake clicked on it, then a large photo of Tina was shown.
Jake looked at Tina, then back to the photo. "Nah, must be someone else," Jake
said.

"IT'S ME!" Tina shouted. "I'm that 13-year-old."

"Impossible! You look like you're 18," Jake said emphatically.

"Remember, things aren't always what they appear," Tina said, grinning.
"Before I met Granny, I remember being that small, but with Granny's wonderful
soup, I kinda grew."

"Kinda? that's like saying the Appalachians are kinda long. I had the same
soup, and yet I don't look like that," Jake exclaimed, trying to make sense of
it all.

"I didn't look like this either, until I had a need for it. I remember having
small biceps when I first ate, I don't remember much before that except a
faint memory of hitting a rock, then Granny decided to help me look for my
parents, and I ate more so I could lift the jar to take with us. Granny had me
run ahead and clear the path for her and Bessie, and I encountered a dead,
blackened, tree trunk, and with a lot of exertion (that's when I began to
expand), I was able to rip the tree out of the ground." Tina said, recounting
her life over the past 4 days.

Jake was shocked at Tina's story, but she did look like a muscular version of
the girl in the story. "So if I got worked up, like Dr. Banner, I become the
Incredible Hulk."

"I don't know how it will affect you. How did you get so sick?" Tina asked.

"I'm deathly allergic to bees, and I accidentally got stung when I threw a
rock out of the way and hit a hive. I saw them coming and ran, but two of them
stung me before I ran in the house. Dad found me on the floor, barely
breathing, then ran out as he saw you coming, and the rest is, I'm please to
say, living history."

"But enough about me, let's arrange for you to meet your folks," Jake
directing his vision to the computer screen. The article included Tina's
parents' address, and Jake offered to take Tina.

"But I won't know them," Tina said concerned.

"Maybe your memory will come back, once you meet them," Jake assured here.

Tina turned to Granny. "What should I do, Granny?"

"Ya have to decided that yourself, child, but if I had a chance to see my
folks again, I'd do it.

"How am I going to get there?" Tina wondered out loud.

"I'll take you," Jake said exthusiatically, "the car's in the garage out
back."

"I couldn't impose on you, that's a 3-hour trip," Tina emphasized.

"Hey, what are friends for? Besides, I'd really enjoy a Philly cheesesteak
with fried onions." Jake smiled at the thought.

"I'll stay here with Elmer, ta keep him company," Granny said.

Elmer had rushed off to get Doc Peters, after he asked Granny for help.

Elmer rushed in with the Doc and was greeted by a healthy-looking Jake.

"What are you doin' up?" Elmer said, half-scolding, half-grateful.

"Granny's soup did it, Pa," Jake said with appreciation. "If it wasn't for
her, I'd be dead by now. There's something in her soup that perked me right
up."

Doc Peters examined Jake. "He looks as healthy as a horse, Elm. That must be
some soup."

Granny dished out a bowl for Doc and Elmer, who ate quickly, after their long
journey from Doc's house.

Doc straightened right up, his 75-year-old back hadn't felt this good for
ages.

Elmer kicked up his heels. "YEE-HAW!" he shouted, "I feel perky now!"

"You got anymore of that soup I can take home to the missus?" Doc implored.

"Sure, I got plenty," Granny insisted. "Let's you, me, and Elmer head over ta
your place on my cart. Jake and Tina need ta take care of some business in the
big city."

Elmer ran over to Jake and gave him a hug, then looked around embarrassed for
showing affection.

"No need ta be embarrassed, Elmer, Jake almost died, so its natural to be
happy ta see him alive." Granny explained.

They all headed out the front door. Tina hugged Granny, and just to be polite,
Elmer and Doc too. Jake hugged his Pa and Granny, and shook the Doc's hand.
Granny, then, strapped the soup jar to the cart and the others climbed up into
the cart seat. Bessie, with the extra weight of the passengers, struggled to
get started.

"Whoa," Granny yelled, then jumped off the cart. She ran in and got a large
dipping spoon, which she dipped into the soup and fed to Bessie. She no longer
had screwed the lid back on when Bessie reared up on her hind legs. Granny
jumped up into the cart seat just as Bessie galluped away. Granny had to yank
hard on the straps to get Bessie to turn in the right direction. Jake and Tina
waved as the cart was lost from view.

"So what do you want to do first?" Jake asked.

"THIS!" Tina said, kissing Jake passionately on the lips. A minute later, Jake
came up for air.

"I meant, do you want to change clothes or go directly there? but I do like
your answer," Jake said with a grin.

"Oh," Tina said, looking down at her body. "I guess I better find something
else to wear."

Jake drove tina to Granny's cabin. She looked around and found a large dress
that looked like it would fit.

"Are you sure you don't want to help me try this on?" Tina asked seductively.

"Tempting, yes, but you are still 13 chronologically, so no deal," Jake said
firmly.

Tina pouted. "You just wait, Jake, in 5 years you better watch out," Tina said
with a grin.

Tina ducked inside the bathroom and came out a few minutes later fully dressed
in a long-sleeved dress.

"That's better," Jake said, glad that he didn't have to be tempted by her
massive arms.

"It's a little tight around the arms," Tina said with discomfort. Suddenly she
flexed her arms and the sleeves split apart revealing softball-sized biceps.
"There, that's better."

Jake inhaled quickly when saw Tina's biceps. He felt his heart pumping and a
certain body part begin to rise, he ran to the bathroom. Five minutes later he
appeared.

"You must be really out of shape to be so flushed, just coming out of the
bathroom," Tina said, then laughed at her unintended pun.

Jake just smiled. "I guess I need to exercise more," Jake said, trying to put
on a good face. "Alrighty then, ready to go?"

Tina grabbed Jake's hand and led him outside. Jake unlocked the passenger side
and opened the door for Tina. As he approached the driver side, Tina reached
over and unlocked the door giving Jake a full view of her cleavage. Jake got
in slowly, controlling his breathing, until he was able to concentrate on the
road. Tina knew what affect she had on Jake and loved tweaking his passion.

After an uneventful 3-hour ride, Jake drove to SE Philadelphia. The article
mentioned that Tina went to Vare Middle School, so Jake drove by there. Tina
had a vague memory of attending Vare, she could almost bring the names of her
teachers to her remembrance. As she drove past the school, she glimpsed at the
alley behind the school and said "David Lemonetti." She didn't know why that
name was important.

"Maybe he's your boyfriend," Jake said, wanting to help.

"Maybe, but I just don't get that feeling," Tina responded.

"Well, let's go see your folks," Jake said confidently.

Jake drove a short distance to Tina's house. Parking the car, he opened the
car door for Tina and, taking her by the hand, led her up to the house. He
knocked on the door and heard sounds from the inside.

Tina's mother opened the door. "May I help you?" she asked hesitently. Ever
since the newspaper story, she had gotten weirdo's contacting her.

"I think I may have found your daughter," Jake said cautiously.

Mrs. Smalley looked at Jake, then looked at Tina. She raised her eyebrows
because of the similarities, but decided the woman could not have possibly
been her daughter.

"IS THIS SOME KIND OF JOKE?" She screamed. "This girl is NOT my daughter, she
(pointing to Tina) is some kind of muscle freak."

"Please let me explain," Jake said, hoping to clear up the situation.

"NO!" Mrs. Smalley yelled. "Get off my property, before I call the cops."

They left without another word. Tina was heartbroken that her own mother would
not accept her.

As they drove West a few blocks, they stopped at a stoplight. They didn't see
what direction the brick was thrown from, but felt and saw the evidence at the
windshield cracked. Jake slammed the car into park and ran out to look for the
culprits.

Within seconds, the car was surrounded by 6 hoodlums. "I see from your plates
that you are from out of town," David the gangleader said, "so welcome to the
City of Brotherly Love. We'd love for you to give us all your money. RIGHT,
Brothers?" The rest of the gang all nodded agreement.

Jake was brave, but he was no fool. He was reaching for his wallet, when
suddenly the car door opened. Lenny never knew what hit him as he went flying
away from the car. Tina quickly stepped outside and ran to Jake. "Don't do
it!" she commanded Jake.

"Keep out of it!" David said. "Let the man follow my orders."

"You come near him, and you will be sorry," Tina warned.

Three of the gang approached Tina all at once. When they were close, Tina
swung her arm around in a arc, knocking all three down to the ground. Two of
them held their head moaning, while the other was silent. David looked down
and saw that he was out cold. He pulled out a large knife and ran to Tina. She
stopped him by holding his arm up as he strained to push it forward. While she
was distracted, Bobby ran behind her with a large pipe. As he swung down, he
felt his arm being yanked back. He looked around and Jake was holding him
back. The more he strained, the harder Jake pulled, until finally Bobby felt a
sharp pain as his shoulder dislocated.

"You SONOFABITCH!" Bobby yelled, screaming in pain. Nestor ran to aid Bobby,
but Jake kicked out and hit him squarely in the balls. Nestor's voice raised 3
octaves as he screamed, then passed out from the pain. Bobby grabbed the pipe
with his good hand and threw it. Unfortunately, it hit Tina's head squarely,
and she fell forward. David, having no target, fell forward. The knife in his
hand bit down as he hit the ground.

Tina got up slowly, shaking her head. As her mind clarified, she knew where
she was. She looked down and knew her adversary. "DAVID!" She yelled. She
reached down and grabbed him by the neck. In one smooth motion she had him
dangling, struggling to breath.

"TINA!" Jake yelled. "Put him down!"

Tina complied by throwing him into the car, denting it. Shaken, David was
disoriented, he swung out with his knife and stabbed Bobby.

Bobby screamed again. Tina hit him and knocked him out.

"Jake, this pathetic excuse of a boy is David Lemonetti. He tried to rape me
when I was small but I fought him off, then hit me and I fell hitting my head.
He must have dumped on the Appalachian Trail near Granny's," Tina explained.
"what shall I do with him now?"

"What do you know about him?" Jake asked.

"I know he has a full football scholarship to Madison," Tina elaborated. "His
father is President of the Philadelphia State Bank, but the guy's a tightwad.
David must have been getting some extra spending money before leaving."

"Well, that's how we'll get even," Jake said. "We'll call Daddy out here and
explain the situation. If he doesn't cooperate, we'll call the media."

Jake went to his trunk and got out his laptop. Its satellite hookup quickly
brought the answer from the Internet. He called the bank and asked for
President Lemonetti. "Tell him his son is in trouble."

"Lemonetti here," Mr. Lemonetti said. "What's David done now?"

Tina got on the phone, "Mr. Lemonetti, this is Tina Smalley. My Mom, Marge
Smalley, was your babysitter."

"I remember you," Mr. Lemonetti said. "so what's up?"

"About a week ago, David came over to my school, and tried to rape me in the
alley. I kicked him in the privates, but he was able to whack me in the head
causing me to fall and crack my skull. He, apparently, took me to a remote
area of the Appalachians about 3 hours from Philly. A dear, old, lady nursed
me back to health, but I lost my memory. I came back to Philly with a friend
who found out that I was missing, and ran into a gang with David as the
leader. He tried to rob us, but we got the best of him. He's now sitting next
to my friend's car pretty bruised up, so you better come and get him. We're 2
blocks West of Vare Middle School, oh and David accidently stabbed his friend
Bobby in the arm, so you might want to call an ambulance."

"How do I know you're not making this up?" Mr. Lemonetti said.

"I must of been bleeding pretty bad when he took me up, did you see any blood
on the car about a week ago?" Tina asked, hoping that would confirm her story.

"No, the car was completely clean. Hey, wait a minute. David had the car
detailed about a week ago. I thought he did it for me, but NOW I know the real
reason," Mr Lemonetti reasoned. "I'll be right there, and I'll bring a doc, I
don't want any leaks about this."

"This is going to cost you, sir. I demand retribution," Tina said forcefully.

"Oh, you're trying to blackmail me..." Mr. Lemonettisaid angrily.

"Not blackmail, fair compensation for pain and suffering," Tina replied.

"OK, we'll talk when we get there," Lemonetti responded.

About a fifteen minutes later, a stretch limo arrived. Mr. Lemonetti and a
doctor stepped out. The doc did triage and determined that Bobby's wounds were
the most severe. So he got the driver to haul him inside so he could dress the
wounds. He noticed that Bobby's shoulder was quite dislocated, and with great
effort, and a scream from Bobby, he set it back in. The driver then lifted the
rest of the gang into the limo, and the doc determined they just had
concussions. David was seated behind the driver with his Dad. After 15
minutes, Mr. Lemonetti came out again, and said he got a full confession. He
apologized profusely to Tina and asked for her terms.

Tina didn't hesitate when she asked for a substantial amount, but then
surprised them all by saying that she wanted it to improve the houses along a
stretch of road in the Appalachians. Mr. Lemonetti was very touched that Tina
was so selfless, and doubled the amount he offered her.

"That's very generous of your, Mr. Lemonetti," Tina said. She gently hugged
him.

Lemonetti smiled, not even his own children were that affectionate. He, then
realized that neither was he, and set about to change that.

Before they left, Lemonetti looked at Jake's car and knew his son was
responsible. He called someone on his cell phone, and within minutes a new,
fully-equipped, silver, Lexus arrived.

"Here," Lemonetti said, handing the keys to Jake. "it's yours. I'll take your
old heap, and give you this instead. I'll take care of the paperwork."

Jake was stunned into silence. Tina nudged him and he finally spoke. "Wow!
That is a monster car, but I can't take it. If I show up at the college with
it, they'll think I robbed a bank."

Lemonetti laughed. "Ok, we'll fix your other one, and you can drive this one
on special occasions."

"But I can't drive two," Jake explained, "Tina's not old enough to drive."

Lemonetti stared at Tina, then remembered the last time he saw her she was
only 4 ft. 6. "You grew, young lady, you could pass for 20."

Tina smiled. "It's too bad I can't drive..."

"Don't you worry about it," Lemonetti said, making another phone call.

Soon a van arrived. When the side door opened, Tina saw a photography shop.

She was escorted in and had her picture taken. Within a minute she was given
her own driver's license.

Tina grinned at her new license, while Jake looked on surprised.

"By the time you're on the road, she'll be legal. I got connections,"
Lemonetti said, patting his side pocket where his wallet was.

Tina couldn't help herself. This time she ran over to Lemonetti and lifted him
off his feet and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Lemonetti was embarrassed and
pleased at her reaction.

After making sure that Tina wouldn't kill herself learning to drive, Lemonetti
bid farewell to his new friends and vowed to keep in touch. He had a driver
take Jake's old car for repairs.

Jake and Tina had an uneventful time heading back home. They got there in 2
hours due to a very friendly State Trooper named Jorge. He escorted them all
the way home, his lights flashing making everyone get out of their way.

A few days later, Jake found out that Mr. Lemonetti had lied, and instead of
fixing his old heap, had brought him the newest model.

When Granny and Elmer returned they both tried to contain their joy, but
failed. Jake noticed that his Dad's step was livelier, and his demeanor
friendlier. Tina noticed that Granny was remarkably subdued.

"So how'd it go?" Granny asked.

"I found my real Ma, but she didn't believe that I was her daughter, because I
had grown so much," Tina said sadly, "if it wasn't for you, I'd feel like an
orphan."

Granny hugged Tina. "You will always be my Granddaughter, blood or no."

Tina smiled. "Oh, and I got my memory back. Jake and I were attacked by a gang
of 6 -- Don't worry, we took care of them -- and one of them is the creep who
brought me up here. I guess I should thank him, because I found you, but since
he left me nearly dead, I guess I won't. I knew the creep's father and we
called him. He's actually a nice man, and he took care of everything. He
bought Jake a new car, after his was damaged by the gang, and he's paying me
for the trouble I went through."

"Tell her the truth," Jake said, "Tina said she didn't want the money for
herself, and to use it for our town."

Granny was pleased to hear that her granddaughter had survived her ordeal, and
was such a generous person.

Elmer spoke up, "There's something we need to tell you. Granny and me are
gettin' hitched. That visit to Doc's was a real fine experience. When we
shared Granny's soup, everyone got perky, and we sorta got frisky, and then
(Elmer blushed when he spoke) Granny and me went into the bedroom and I knew
her in a Biblical way. Granny smiled at the way he explained his actions.

Jake looked askance at his father, then nodded his approval. Ever since his
mother died, Dad has been despondant, now his Dad glowed with happiness. Tina
squealed with joy that Granny still had it in her.

A week later Granny moved in with Elmer, she notified all her relatives that
she was getting married in a month. Tina stayed at Granny's house, and Jake
still stayed at his Dad's, but it was getting painfully obvious that he was in
the way. Everytime his Dad wanted to get affectionate with Granny, he'd see
Jake. Finally Jake made a decision.

Jake knocked on Tina's door, "Are you home?"

"Where else would I be?" Tina answered the door smiling with nothing on but a
towel, she had just gotten out of the shower.

Jake stood at the door with his mouth open, waiting for words to come out.
Breathing deeply, he got himself under control.

"We need to talk," Jake said solemnly. "I realize that this is an awkward
situation. I'm 20 and you're 13 chronologically, but physically you could
easily pass for 20. I have developed a certain affection for you, and wondered
if you would consider me for a roommate."

Tina stood at the door, at first confused, then bewildered, and then an
undescribable joy came over her as she hauled Jake in. "How's THIS for an
answer?" she responded, kissing him passionately for 5 minutes.

Jake reluctantly pulled away. He felt his heart rate and other body parts
rise, and he didn't want to be embarrassed.

"Is there something wrong?" she asked concerned. "I thought you liked me," she
started to cry.

"Tina, what I feel for you is much more than like, it's love. I'm feeling so
many emotions right now, but love is the strongest. I want to make love to
you, right here, right now, but I don't have any protection, and I don't want
you to get pregnant right now. You have so much potential in you, that a child
would interfere with your growth."

"Jake," Tina said, "shut up. I may be 13, but I wasn't born yesterday. Granny
knew this day would happen. She knows how you feel about me so she prepared a
special tea that prevents ovulation. I've been drinking it everyday, just
hoping this day would come. Just be gentle with me, I don't know what to do."

"Well," Jake said, "I am a librarian, and I've read certain books, but haven't
actually practiced what I've seen."

"You know what they say... practice makes perfect," Tina said as she wrapped
Jake within her towel. She led him to the bedroom, where sounds of grunts,
moans and screams could be heard for an hour.

Within months, major construction was seen in the little town about 3 hours NW
of Philadelphia. New roads, sewers, and an electrification project were being
installed. At the edge of town, the Lemonetti Hospital was being built.
Scholarships were being offered at U of Penn for doctors willing to serve that
community.

David Lemonetti was taken out of high school, and shipped off to military
academy. He had to stay a minimum of 3 years, or his father would arrange for
something more severe. At the academy, David excelled at marksmanship, then
concentrated on martial arts and weight training. By the end of the year, he
had a Black Belt in Karate and Judo, and could benchpress 300 pounds. During a
summer school break, David hatched his plan for revenge.

To be continued.

J. Pardo libguy3@yahoo.com