Authors: Brenda Jackson
Ties That Bind (19 page)
July 1967
That summer Randolph went to work at his grandfather's law office as a law clerk. Although he and Jenna exchanged letters frequently and talked on the phone at least once a week, he still missed her like crazy. When he didn't think he could take it any longer, he drove to Memphis to see her and to take her to Glendale Shores for the Fourth of July celebration. Besides, he needed a break from Angela. Her concern for Ross was beginning to drive him bonkers. She was turning into a regular basket case in light of the infrequent letters she was receiving from him. She had started seeking Randolph out after classes, calling him at home and had even shown up unexpectedly at his place, asking him if there was anything going on with Ross that he wasn't telling her.
Randolph hated lying to her but knew it was not his place to tell her anything. He knew Ross intended to do that himself and hoped he would hurry up with it.
During the drive to South Carolina, he told Jenna about Angela's
behavior, and she agreed that Angela deserved to know about Ross and Gia, but felt the news should come from Ross. In a couple of months Ross would be calling Angela from Rome, and Randolph decided he didn't want to be anywhere nearby when it happened. He made plans to visit Jenna in Memphis during that time.
behavior, and she agreed that Angela deserved to know about Ross and Gia, but felt the news should come from Ross. In a couple of months Ross would be calling Angela from Rome, and Randolph decided he didn't want to be anywhere nearby when it happened. He made plans to visit Jenna in Memphis during that time.
Randolph then told Jenna about his most recent letter from Ross telling him that Gia was pregnant. Ross had asked him to send the family Bible, and he had done so a few days ago, sending it via air mail.
“How do you feel about him marrying Gia?” Jenna asked when he'd suddenly gotten quiet.
Randolph glanced over at her and smiled wryly. “He's so damn happy, Jen, I can't help but be happy for him, too. You can feel the love and passion he has for her pouring out of every word that he writes. I've never known him to be so happy and so at peace with himself and his feelings. He even mentioned extending his tour of duty if Gia is unable to travel when his year is up since she will still be pregnant.” He sighed. “I wrote and suggested that he consider sending Gia home to us.”
Shock came to Jenna's face. “Your grandparents in Virginia?”
Randolph shook his head. “No, trust me, that wouldn't do. I was thinking more of Gramma and Grandpa Denison. They would accept Gia and her unborn child with open arms and would take care of them until Ross came home. I hope he considers that idea. That way his child will be born here in America with someone looking after Gia and the baby properly.”
Jenna nodded. “So, he's told Gramma and Grandpa Denison about Gia?”
“Not yet. So far, other than you and me, Noah is the only other person who knows about her, and since Noah knows I feel certain Leigh knows as well. Noah got the chance to meet her when his platoon arrived in the same area where Ross's regiment was stationed.” There was no doubt in Randolph's mind that it had been a joyous reunion for the two best friends, and that Ross would take the opportunity to marry Gia while Noah was there to stand in as best man.
Jenna told Randolph that she had spoken with Johnny's parents and about the trouble they were having in securing a good defense attorney
for their son. It seemed that no one wanted to take on the case to defend him against the State of California and the FBI. Both had charges against him. She had also talked to Ellie who was concerned about what was going on with Johnny as well. Although Jenna had never mentioned it to anyone and neither Johnny nor Ellie had admitted anything, Jenna had a feeling that something had developed between them during the time they had spent together in California.
for their son. It seemed that no one wanted to take on the case to defend him against the State of California and the FBI. Both had charges against him. She had also talked to Ellie who was concerned about what was going on with Johnny as well. Although Jenna had never mentioned it to anyone and neither Johnny nor Ellie had admitted anything, Jenna had a feeling that something had developed between them during the time they had spent together in California.
When Jenna and Randolph arrived in Glendale Shores, she was glad to see the Denisons again and as usual they made her feel welcome. Later that day they traveled by ferry to Hilton Head Island where other family members had planned this huge Independence Day celebration. All during the day Jenna and Randolph were congratulated on their engagement. Randolph told everyone the wedding would take place sometime next summer after he finished law school and Ross returned from overseas.
The weekend had not been long enough and when Randolph returned Jenna to Memphis, he spent the night. The next morning before the break of dawn he left to return to Virginia.
The following weeks Jenna stayed glued to the television since Johnny's alleged killing of the federal agent still dominated the news. The few times she saw a glimpse of him when the television camera would flash his way, she could tell he had lost a lot of weight and he had the appearance of a person defeated and about to give up. Seeing him that way tore at her heart. She remembered him always being fun loving and always full of cheer. Jenna wrote to him in care of the detention center where he was being held while awaiting trial. She was elated a week later when he wrote her back.
July 20, 1967
Jenna,
It was so good getting your letter. It came at a time I desperately needed to hear from a friend, and you have always been that. I've received letters from Ellie and Leigh as well. And my parents have been corresponding with me a lot. They are so supportive, Jen. When I think of what they are going through because of me and all
the money they are putting out in my defense, it brings tears to my eyes.
the money they are putting out in my defense, it brings tears to my eyes.
I'm sure you know by now what the police claim I've done. But I didn't do it. My prints aren't even on the murder weapon. The person who killed that officer was one of their own men. It was a setup and another example of the war the FBI has waged against the Panthers. But of course no one wants to believe our government can be that devious. They have concocted evidence to support whatever they want and right now they want to make an example out of me for the others.
It's too late to worry about my fate. They are determined that I pay the price for something I didn't do. I just pray that one day the truth will come out.
Forever your friend,
Johnny
Randolph approached his grandfather on Johnny's behalf to see if perhaps there was anything that could be done in his defense. Robert Fuller, who had been keeping up with the media's frenzy of the shooting, told his grandson it would be just about suicidal for any attorney to act in Johnny's defense. Especially when the FBI had so much evidence against him, including eyewitnesses who claimed they saw him pull the trigger.
When Randolph talked on the telephone to Jenna that night, he gave her the details of the conversation he'd had with his grandfather. He regretted he couldn't give her any positive feedback.
After talking with Johnny's parents, Jenna knew they had finally found an attorney but weren't all that pleased with him, but they had no choice but to believe the man would do everything in his power to prove their son's innocence.
The State of California along with the federal government didn't waste time in bringing Johnny to trial. The proceedings lasted only a week and the all-white jury of eight men and four women found Johnny guilty of first-degree murder. He was sentenced to death.
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Leigh and Noah met in Paris in late July. He was overjoyed when she told him she was pregnant. After spending an entire day making love, they ordered room service and ate a delicious dinner while discussing possible names for their baby. Leigh wanted to name the baby Zachary, after her brother if it was a boy, and Noelle if it was a girl. Noah agreed with her choice of names.
They talked about Johnny and both felt that he'd gotten a bad rap and was glad his attorney was appealing his sentence. They also talked about Ross and his marriage to Gia. “She's a beautiful person, Leigh, and Ross loves her very much. She's having problems with her pregnancy and he's worried about it and that concerns me.”
Leigh lifted an eyebrow, not understanding. “She's his wife. Why does it concern you that he's worried about her?”
“Because when you're in the combat zone, you need to concentrate on one thing and one thing onlyâstaying alive and staying one step ahead of the enemy. If he's worried about Gia then he can't do that.”
Leigh nodded, now understanding fully. “He still plans to break the news to Angela next month?”
“Yes, that's his plan. He's scheduled for R and R in Rome then. But with Gia not doing well, he may not take it.” Noah sighed deeply. “I'm concerned about him, Leigh. For years I've teased Ross about not being in love and not understanding just how strong the power of love is. Now he knows. He loves Gia very much and if anything were to happen to her or their baby, I don't know what he'd do.”
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August 1967
Randolph returned to DC since school would be starting in a few weeks. He had seen Jenna again the first week in August when they attended Grampa Murphy's birthday celebration on Glendale Shores.
Now that they were officially engaged, his grandparents weren't as protective of her as they had been during her initial visits. Since his grandfather had not given him a verbal order to stay in his own bedroom at night, Randolph went to Jenna's room each night after his grandparents went to bed and would leave early the next morning before they got up. He knew he would miss her during the school year,
but they'd made plans to spend Thanksgiving with his grandparents at Glendale Shores and Christmas with her parents in Knoxville.
but they'd made plans to spend Thanksgiving with his grandparents at Glendale Shores and Christmas with her parents in Knoxville.
They also agreed to give Ross and Gia the support they would need when they came to the States. There would be those who would want to scorn Gia because of her nationality, especially with the war still going on. Although she was only half-Vietnamese, people would see her as an enemy nonetheless.
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During the second month of school Randolph was awakened during the middle of the night by the sound of someone pounding on his front door. His housemate was spending the weekend away with his girlfriend in Baltimore. Rubbing a hand over his face as he tried to come completely awake, he made it to the door, opened it and found both his grandparents standing there. The look on their faces was grief-stricken.
“What is it? What's wrong?” he asked as he stared at them. For a long moment neither answered and his Grandmother Julia's eyes began filling with tears. His gaze left his grandmother and settled firmly on his grandfather. A deep knot began forming in his stomach and air slowly began seeping out of his lungs. He could tell from the look of anguish on his grandfather's face that bad news was coming. He inhaled deeply and embraced himself.
“Randolph, your grandmother and I got word a few hours ago from the State Department that one of the enemy's artillery shells scored a direct hit on a marine post, killing twenty-two men and injuring over forty.” His voice suddenly broke when he added, “Ross is among those listed as dead.”
Randolph closed his eyes, wanting to believe he was still asleep and this was just a bad dream. Ross ⦠oh, God, it couldn't be. It couldn't happen this way. With only five months remaining before he would come home, there was no way life could be this cruel. And then there was Angela, the woman engaged to marry his brother who didn't yet know he had already married someone else.
He felt his grandfather's firm hand on his arm. “I know this is shocking news to you, Randolph, as well as to all of us. But we have to
pull ourselves together now and think of Angela. Her parents are over at her place now, telling her the news. We can only imagine how devastating this will be to her.”
pull ourselves together now and think of Angela. Her parents are over at her place now, telling her the news. We can only imagine how devastating this will be to her.”
Randolph opened his eyes. He didn't want to deal with anything or anyone. He didn't want the pain he was beginning to feel, pain that was ripping through every part of his body, pain that was piercing his heart.
Ross.
Without saying anything to his grandparents he stumbled out of the living room, somehow made it to his bedroom and slammed the door behind him, wanting to be alone to deal with an amount of grief he didn't think he'd ever be able to recover from.
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Jenna woke up to the sound of the phone ringing. She had just gotten into bed after attending a weekend business seminar in Atlanta.
In a sleepy daze she reached over and picked it up. “Hello.”
“Jenna, it's Leigh.”
Jenna glanced at the clock on the nightstand. It was almost two in the morning. Why was Leigh calling her so late? And from the sound of Leigh's voice she could tell her friend was crying. Had something happened to Noah? “Leigh, what is it? What's wrong?”
“It's Ross.”
Jenna's stomach tightened. “Ross?”
“Yes, the Fullers received word tonight that he's been killed.”
The words had been spoken so softly, for a moment Jenna thought maybe she had heard them wrong, but Leigh's gentle crying told her that she hadn't.
Oh, no!
“Randolph,” Jenna said, closing her eyes. Her thoughts immediately went to him.
“Randolph,” Jenna said, closing her eyes. Her thoughts immediately went to him.
“Yes,” Leigh was saying. “That's why I'm calling. I understand he's in a state of shock. He won't see anyone, talk to anyone and he's been drinking heavily since finding out to drown out the pain. His grandmother is worried sick about him and how hard he's taking it. In fact, believe it or not, she's the one who called me and asked that I contact you.”
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