Chapter 15

A New Day

"Good morning Danny, Danny Johnson," Regina said as she threw open the shades in Danny's room. "How are you doing this lovely morning?"

"How did you get in?" Danny asked as he rolled over opening his eyes, surprised to see Regina in his house.

"Mrs. Wilson let me use her key," Regina replied. "I made breakfast, but you're going to have to come to the kitchen to eat it."

"What," Danny asked, "no breakfast in bed?"

"You've had enough meals in bed lately," She said. "Besides, if you can't make it to the kitchen, then how will you manage to take me for a ride on your motorcycle?"

"I didn't know I was going to," Danny said.

"You're going to," Regina insisted, "right after breakfast and a bath. I'll help you with the bath, and braid your hair so the wind doesn't mess it up so much."

*****

As Danny and Regina rode the Harley down the street, everyone began waving and giving Danny the thumbs-up. This was certainly different from anything he had seen in this town before. "What's going on?" Danny asked.

"Now you're their hero too," Regina replied. "You're the first man to stand up to my brother, and they're all supporting you. Junior has pushed people about all they can take, and they're looking for a hero."

"And I'm it?" Danny asked.

"And you're it," Regina said with a laugh.

"But ain't this going to get you in a lot of trouble?" Danny asked.

"Yeah," Regina answered, "but I don't mind."

"But what if your money gets cut off?" Danny asked.

"Junior can have all of Daddy's money for all I care," Regina answered. "Besides, I've got plenty of money of my own. While big brother was out playing high-roller and staying stoned, I went out and made my own."

"Oh, the modeling thing," Danny said.

"Modeling, what made you think I'm a model?"

"Well, you said you do photo shoots in the islands somewhere."

"Oh that," Regina replied. "No, I'm a travel writer, and a photo-journalist. I used to free lance, but now I own my own magazine. Turn right here."

Danny turned the corner to see the old mill ahead. "The mill looks empty," He said.

"It is," she replied. "Seems all of the workers are protesting what happened to you so the whole job has stopped. No one knows how long it might last."

"Damn," Danny said as he stopped his hog, "I'll bet Junior is really steamed."

"Daddy is even madder," she said. "He said if Junior doesn't get his act together real soon, he's going to talk to his lawyer to get Junior's power of attorney revoked. He said Junior would loose all control over all of Daddy's investments."

"Can he do that?" Danny asked.

"I don't know," Regina answered, "but he's got Junior running really scared. Why don't you ride past Smith Lumber."

"I can't believe this," Danny said as he stopped in the parking lot across the street from Smith Lumber, "There's no one working here either. How did you ever pull this off?"

"It was Mrs. Wilson that talked to all of 'em," Regina answered. "No one is shopping at Gibson's either."

"But the closest grocery store is Pickford's, twenty miles away. They're not going to deliver from that far are they?"

"No," Regina said, "I've been sending the girls from my office to Pickford's to pick up, and deliver to those people who can't get their own."

"So you are in on this."

"Well, let's just say that while I may not be in the forefront, my business and marketing skills might be coming in handy."

"But what about all the guys who are out of work," Danny asked, "How are they going to make a living?"

"No problem," Regina giggled. "I'm paying them to clear land where I'm planning to build my new house. There's lots of timber to be cut."

"All of them?" Danny asked. "It's not going to take very long with so many helping is it?"

"I don't know," Regina answered, "It's really hard work clearing three hundred acres by hand. Might take months. Who knows?"

"Three hundred acres?" Danny asked. "Where in the world..."

"Turn right at the light," Regina said pointing down the street. "I'll show you."