Page 40 of Baby, It's You
“I ran out of there as fast as I could and bought more alcohol, continuing my bender. I don’t know what happened to most of the money. I probably dropped it somewhere, honestly. It was all gone within a few hours.
“The next morning, I was still very drunk. I walked into the bar expecting to get my free meal, feeling no shame whatsoever. What I didn’t expect was for Johnny to be standing there with Seymour, talking with a police officer. They all turned towards me, and I tried to run but was stopped at once by the officer. I was in no condition to fight off the police. I could barely stand up straight. I was arrested and spent the next few years in jail.
“I was filled with so much anger at first but then I realized that they actually saved my life. I was forced to rehabilitate myself in jail, where I sat in a cell all day, which caused me to start writing again out of boredom. I scrapped the horrible baseball story and ended up writing the story that changed my life. The Winter Warlock series.”
Hunter and I both interrupt him at once.
“You wrote that series?” I ask in absolute shock.
“Those are your books?” Hunter questions at the same time.
Mr. Purngast laughs. “Yes, that was me. I use a pen name, Freddie Finnely, just so I can stay in the shadows. I never wanted the fame, I just wanted to write, and once I was finally sober, I could.”
I am physically shaking; the Winter Warlock series is the biggest young adult book series to have ever been written. I haveread every single book and I’m sure Hunter has, too. It was a childhood staple, no matter who you were.
“So, the name of the book,” Hunter continues, “is from Jane?”
“Yes.” Mr. Purngast smiles vibrantly, his mustache tickling his nose. He almost looks like a human version of the Lorax. “It was from Jane, her nickname for me. The series was almost like my tribute to her and Seymour.”
Tears fill my eyes as I whisper, “Wow.” This has turned out to be one of the most incredible stories I have ever heard, and I had no idea. Jane did so many impactful things for people before I ever met her. She has never been one to boast but I can’t believe she never told me this story.
I swipe away a tear as Mr. Purngast chuckles and hands me a tissue. “Don’t cry, honey, my story has a happy ending.”
“I just can’t believe that I’m sitting here with you and had no idea. I have all of your books on my shelf at home. We live in the same town as a legend,” I exclaim to Hunter.
He smiles next to me and agrees. “Your books really are incredible, sir.”
Mr. Purngast nods his thanks. “So as you can see, the bar and Jane mean a lot to me. I was so sad when I heard Seymour passed. I was traveling for the release of my sixth book, so I was unable to attend the funeral, but I sent my condolences to her. I want to help Jane any way I can now.”
He points to the camera. “Can you put that down for a second, son?”
Hunter complies and once he sets it down on the coffee table, Mr. Purngast continues talking. “I want to donate five hundred thousand dollars to the fund for saving the bar.”
At that I don't remember anything else, I just attack him with a hug, crying profusely.
Chapter 28
Hunter
After talking to Mr. Purngast for a little while longer, Olive realizes the time and needs to leave so she can get back to the bar. Once we get to the truck, I am still in shock, unable to process everything that just occurred. I can feel the energy vibrating from Olive, too, her own excitement palpable. I slide into the driver’s seat and her eyes are wide when she slams the passenger door next to me.
“Wow!” she gushes. “Can you believe that?”
I shake my head and chuckle. “That was not how I expected our morning to go.” Meeting one of the greatest authors of many generations, here in Clairesville…
“I have every book he has ever written!” Olive continues, pushing her dark hair away from her face. “I used to read the books as a kid when I lived at the trailer park, dreaming of another world, not knowing thatthe author also lived in that trailer park as a child!” Her voice is a shriek now, sending me into a full-on laugh.
Then she bounces towards me and engulfs me in a tight hug. It catches me by surprise and takes my breath away momentarily. I don’t want it to end. I squeeze her in my arms, resting the edge of my chin on her shoulder for a moment, herscent of roses stronger than before. How desperately I want to cup her face in my hands and kiss her, but she told me this morning I was afriend. The friendzone, ouch. It did sting, but I will also take friendship if that’s all she wants. I just want to be near her and make her day a little better.
When she finally backs out of the hug, she looks at me, still grinning. “Thank you. If it wasn't for us making the video series, I never would have found that out.”
I smile back, “Hey, all I’m doing is filming. The stories are doing all the heavy lifting. Jane really sounds amazing.”
“She is.” Olive bites the inside of her cheek and I can see emotion swirling in her eyes. “I wish you could meet her—the her who basically raised me. It’s just different now; sometimes she doesn’t even know herself.”
I clear my throat. “I was wondering if you wanted to film one of the episodes talking about your relationship with her. We don't have to put her on camera. I don’t want to take advantage of her in a vulnerable state for views or anything. Her character speaks for itself through these stories, but I want you to talk about her. Your relationship is the one that matters the most to me. If you’re comfortable with it, of course.”
“I would love that,” Olive quietly says and looks out the window.
