It is very hard to understand what happened and why; however, it did and the consequences that followed were devastating. The long-term impact can't be measured with any yardstick known to exist. The impact had to play itself out and only hindsight could be 20/20.
Red light runners are a bane to cautious drivers everywhere. In this city, they are more the norm than the exception. There are more rear-end accidents in left turn lanes here than in most other cities. Stopping when a turn arrow changes to red is a safety concern because some idiot behind had no plans to stop. Car insurance rates are astronomical here.
A couple weeks ago, my wife was headed to work and crossed into an intersection on the green light but some asshole in a BMW decided he had more right away against the red than my wife with the green. They charged him with manslaughter and fourth offense DUI. I decided to go to civil court and fight for every cent I could soak out of him and his insurance company. Son of a bitch killed my wife and his only excuse was he was running late to meet his wife. Now, he has plenty of time doing nine to 25 in the state prison. He can meet his wife on visitation days. Fuck him!
The civil case dragged on for 18 months even though witnesses provided all the evidence needed to prove him at fault; his lawyers and his insurance lawyers dragged their feet balking at every claim. Long story short, they didn't win and the loss was worth 17 million to me.
All I had to do was try to start my life over again and in my 60s that isn't as easy as it sounds. I moved away from the area after selling everything at bargain basement prices, moved to a more rural town, and set up housekeeping.
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A heavily wooded area abutted my new property and the woods met a state park and wildlife preserve not far away. I took up nature walking, photography, and sold some prints as a freelancer. One of my pics became the cover photo for a regional parks magazine.
On one such walk, I encountered another hiker in the woods. From the distance it was not easy to distinguish whether the person was man or woman, it was the cool of the autumn and heavier jackets and coats covered most distinguishing features. We were walking toward each other with our gaze on the forest. Our cameras were at the ready for that perfect shot; we were not paying attention to the other as much as on the natural scenes unfolding.
When we were about 200 feet from one another, a shot came into view and our instincts took over, we went for the shot. I had brush blocking a clear shot; I tried to side step for a better view just as two deer popped up their heads in alert. It was all camera shutters and shot taking for a brief second or two.
The person called out, "Did you get it?"
"Not sure," I yelled back, "too much brush for a clear shot. You?"
The female voice replied, "I think so, won't know until I download onto my computer."
That broke the ice and we continued to walk toward each other. We extended hands and introduced ourselves. She gave her name as Mary, "Hi Mary, I am Ray. I live near here and walk these woods often."
We both noticed our camera were similar DSLR cameras. "Let me see the shot you got Mary." She held up her camera screen and let me look at the series of six pics she got. "These are good! Not lucky shots, as far as I can see. These are practiced shots."
"Well, some practice but there is always luck involved." Mary smiled proudly as I complemented her pictures. "Turn about is fair play, see yours?"
I returned the favor letting her see my shots. "Wow, check out this framing through the brush and branches. I'd like to see these on a big screen."
We talked for several minutes about our photography hobbies and favorite places to hunt for shots. We were getting comfortable with one another so I took a chance. "Mary, I live just about a mile back this way," I pointed. "This may be a little forward, but I'd be glad to let you see these on my monitor. You can pop your's up too."
"Would the offer include a hot cup of tea and a warm hearth?" Her affirmative answer made me feel good like I haven't felt in a long time.
"Cup of tea, warm hearth, and a couple tea cakes as well. Shall we go?"
"Yes, I think we shall." Mary strode along side me as we walked toward my house at the edge of the woods.
I'm not good at guessing age, yet I presumed Mary about 33 to 35 years old. She stood about five feet eight inches tall compared to my 62 years and just over six feet one inch. We chatted about nature pictures and how much fun it is to get "that perfect shot."
Suddenly, Mary came to a halt. "Ray. Are you Ray Mattissen the freelancer whose photos are published in the regional parks magazine?"
"Well, just a couple."
Mary's excitement boiled over. "Of all the people to meet on the trail, the guy whose photos I try to replicate. Now I'm having tea with him."
We walked at a brisker pace and the distance seemed to half itself with company at my side. "Let me get the door open." I held it open for her and bade her to go in. It is warm in here so take off that jacket and have a seat. I'll get water on to boil. Have you ever had King Cole tea? It is from Canada, the only tea my mother ever drank."
"If you tell me you are from New Brunswick, I'll scream."
"Save the scream. No I was raised in Iowa but my mother was from NB and I still have relatives there. Are you from New Brunswick?"
"Little town of Bath..."
In interrupted, "Right on the banks of the St. John river. Mary, what is your last name?"
"You know Bath? My last name is Brennan." Wonder and astonishment crossed her face as she realized we had an unexpected connection.
"Mother's name Rose?"
"No, Rose is my aunt. How do you know Rose?" The realization that we were related streaked across her face.
"We will have to do the math later. Rose and her husband live in Rose's family home of my aunt and uncle Rita and John. We are first cousins making you a cousin somewhere along the line."
I began noticing how attractive Mary was even in her warm fall sweater and thick pants to ward off nettles. I wondered how attractive she was in a dinner dress.
"An Allison descendant. We aren't not that closely related then, the Brennan connection is somewhat recent for me." Mary's surprise didn't fade as she strode into the kitchen hearing the teakettle begin its whistle.
"What brings you so far south and west, Mary? I wonder, is it fate?" I warmed the teapot, through out the warming water and replaced it with a tea bag and fresh hot water. As the tea steeped, I retrieved the teacakes and set a plate. "The first cup of tea I drank was in Rita's kitchen behind the old general store."
Mary settled into a chair at the kitchen table and began sipping her tea; a sad look crossed her face. "I'm escaping from a not good marriage. He seemed to think punishment is the best way to get results. I finally called the cops on him after the last punishment."
