Field of Blackbirds by Clayton Jeppsen & Lindsey Jeppsen (e reader manga txt) 📖

explore.
“Slow down,” announced Reed. “Let us out here.”
The driver looked confused. He began to check his rearview mirrors for a lane change.
The pitted concrete stretched over the black rushing water, taking hold of the antiquated city by the shore. The guard walls were pricked with clover patterns as far as one could see. Reed recognized the bridge from what Lazar told him years ago. The vividness was almost eerie.
Reed thanked the young driver and wished him well in work. Then he joined Lindsey on the sidewalk and put his arm around her.
“It will only be a short walk from here,” he promised.
“It’s all right,” assured Lindsey. “It’s a beautiful day.”
It really was a nice day. There was a light breeze to escort them over the Danube River. Lindsey’s summer-faded auburn hair curled over her shoulders and shifted softly with the wind. Her green eyes and red lips flared over her winter born skin, giving her a porcelain doll-type look. More beautiful than ever, Reed thought. She wore white capree pants and an elegant, Asian-style, yellow blouse with a high collar. The silkiness rippled with the wind and caught the sunlight. Reed found himself entangled in lustful thoughts as the wind defined her womanly contours. Leaning over for a small kiss would have to tide him over. Reed also dressed casually in a white, button-down and tan Dockers. Lindsey also caught herself admiring the way the wind molded his shirt around his muscles.
“So,” Lindsey said, with a mother’s ‘one-track mind’, “Do you think Rhett and Bella Grace will be good for my mom?”
“They’ll be fine, Babe.” Reed rubbed her back. “Are you going to be okay?”
“I don’t know. How many days are we going to be gone?” Lindsey asked for the second time that day. Reed just smiled at her. Lindsey smiled back
“Look, I think you can see it from here,” Reed pointed. “There, in that group of shops between the church and the bank.”

Reed and Lindsey married a month after Reed served out his commitment to the Marines. Soon after that, with Lindsey’s reluctant approval, he joined the Los Angeles Police Department. He worked the most dangerous streets of LA for three and a half years, until Mr. Love successfully recruited him into the CIA. He worked directly under Mr. Love and was an agent assigned to the War Crimes bureau. He had personally apprehended twenty-three war criminals since joining the bureau four years ago, all of whom were turned over to The Hague and successfully prosecuted.
Reed’s mission led to a series of Intel gathering operations in Serbia-Montenegro, Kosovo, Albania, Macedonia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Finally on March 24th 1999, President Bill Clinton ordered air strikes and troops into the Balkan regions. The area is now controlled by NATO forces. Slobodan Milosevic was arrested on April 1st of 2001 and is awaiting trial in The Hague, Netherlands.
Lindsey continued school and majored in Psychology. However she chose to work fulltime as a stay-at-home mother and wife. They had two children; Rhett, who was five and Bella Grace, who had just celebrated her third birthday the previous week.

Reddin chose to forego an exhibition game where NFL scouts were sure to be sited. Instead, he graduated with a degree in agriculture; placating Mr. Beckly’s oldest wish; to pass the farm onto a son. Anna no longer had to pray for rainy days. Tom was hers everyday.

Gracie finally said yes to Kyle’s third proposal. They are both living happily in Southern California. Gracie still drives the pink and purple Buick Skylark.

One day, Lindsey stumbled across “The Time Machine” on the internet. It was only a listing, not a website, but the address was attached. She asked Reed if it was the same one he had told her about. And it turned out that it was. He sent a letter to Lazar just before Christmas three years ago. He wasn’t sure if Lazar would get it or even if he still worked there anymore. But it was an opportunity to contact an old friend.
By chance, Lazar did respond. Lazar caught him up on old times and recent events with him and Milla. But he was disheartened to find out what happened to Radenko Gavrillo, shortly after they parted ways. Lazar explained it all in a letter.

Reed took in a long breath. “Can you smell that?” he asked. “It’s coal.” Reed actually missed that smell. The poignant feeling brought him right back for a moment.
Lindsey began to hear the buzz of public transportation as they sauntered into the old city. Trams rattled loosely over the beaten, uneven tracks in the middle of the street. Buses pushed impatiently through crowds of people as they forged around the street-side deals. Lindsey could even pick out the sound of horseshoes clicking over the cobblestone and the old-fashioned wagons that followed.
“I feel like we’re in the 1940’s.” said Lindsey, amused by the sincerity of it all.
“I didn’t have time to appreciate it when I was here the first time,” admitted Reed. “But now that I’m here with you, it’s going to be unforgettable.” Lindsey squeezed his hand for the flattering remark.
They had just turned onto a street named, ‘Majke Angeline’.
“See, I told you it wouldn’t take long,” said Reed.

There was a wooden placard over the doorway. The paint on the sign was just beginning to peel. But the letters boldly spelled out; ‘The Time Machine’. The front window was crystal clear. The sun was reflecting off each carefully placed piece of jewelry in the display. The watches were radiant with pride, defying their lifeless state. It was apparent that the craftsman devoted his time and skill to his craft, rather than his workplace.
Reed pulled on the handle. The door creaked and swung outward. Reed let Lindsey in first. They were greeted by the warm authenticity of honest trade. A man in his late sixties came from around a glass counter to meet them. His clothes were casual, but tidy. He wore a brown v-neck sweater that was out of season and tan slacks. Thick spectacles rested on the bridge of his nose, but he examined them with his bare blue eyes. He owned a healthy smile that he seemed to abuse, due to the deep creases in his cheeks. His salesmanship was buried in a heap of wisdom and ingenuity. You would buy anything from him; beach front property in Arizona, an everlasting gob-stopper, bottled water from the ‘Fountain of Youth’ or maybe just a fine watch. He was drenched in trust, like every young child’s grandfather.
“Madam, Sir” Mr. Nowak extended his hand to Lindsey and then to Reed. “What are you doing so far from home?” he asked, ignoring simple rules of conversational discovery.
Lindsey quickly shot him with a wary glance.
“Is it that obvious?” she asked.
“Come with me.”
Mr. Nowak took Lindsey by the arm, but waited for Reed’s nod. He walked over to a vertical display case that was rotating. He waited for a second and then opened the glass, stopping it from spinning.
“See, my Dear,”
Mr. Nowak lifted a smaller watch from its stand and placed it in Lindsey’s palm. She took a moment to rein in her disbelief. It was white gold, with a pearl cream band. Inside, etched on the face, was a soft, watermarked Statue of Liberty. It was so subtle, but it was breathtaking. Lindsey never expected to be so overcome by a piece of jewelry. It reminded her of her trip to New York; when she saw the matron for the first time with her own eyes. Maybe it was Liberty’s promise to bring Reed safely back to her. Maybe it was only she, who was tall enough to watch over him from the New York Harbor. Lindsey’s pride swelled in her chest and her eyes watered as she batted them downward.
“You must understand people,” said Mr. Nowak, “if you expect to understand time. And here in this shop, time is all we have. Don’t rush yourselves. Take a look around.”
Mr. Nowak went back around the counter and continued assembling some piece of jewelry.
“I think she’s already found what she wants,” declared Reed. He and Mr. Nowak both laughed as Lindsey was already fixing the watch to her wrist.
Reed walked over to Mr. Nowak, wondering if, at any moment, Lazar would pop out of the back room or come in from off the street.
When Reed got to the counter, Mr. Nowak peeked over his glasses again. “She’s a fine young lady. You’re very lucky you know.”
“Yes I am,” admitted Reed, “and I see that you are also a lucky man.” Reed pointed to picture frame in a little work area behind the counter.
Mr. Nowak turned and smiled. “We were married last spring.” Mr. Nowak and Jovanka, Lazar’s mom, had finally decided to tie the knot.
“I wonder if you can help me?” asked Reed. “We didn’t come here by chance. I knew a man once and I admired his watch. I had never seen one quite like it before. When I asked him where he got it, he told me; “The Time Machine”. If I describe it for you, do you think you would remember it?”
“I’ve made so many watches young man, but I haven’t forgotten a single one.”
“Alright then,” said Reed.
As Reed began describing the watch, Mr. Nowak’s eyes widened. He removed his spectacles and laid them on the counter; folded his arms and began listening more fervently.
He interrupted, “You’re name is Reed, isn’t it?”
Reed paused, “Yes Mr. Nowak, my name is Reed.”

The three of them talked for nearly an hour. Jovanka came to bring Mr. Nowak a warm lunch. Reed and Lindsey also enjoyed meeting her. Reed could see the resemblance between her and Lazar. Her hair was mostly dark brown. It was long and wavy. She had the same honest, wide blue eyes as Lazar did. She still appeared youthful in her age, but she did have the lines in her face telling the stories of her past.