Fifty Falling Stars Read online

  After watching TV for a few hours, JJ began to doze. His phone rang and woke him. He answered, and Sherry began some diatribe about him not paying enough to support the kids. He had just sent her a substantial check last week. Surely she can’t have gone through that already. He thought. He tried to remain calm and talk sense to her but failed. In the end, he just let her talk herself out.

  After an emotionally draining hour of being talked at, he hung up the phone. Sometimes he wondered why he even tried to work things out with her. He reminded himself that he had to try to keep the family together for the kids. He grew up in broken home and would be damned if he didn’t do all he could to keep his kids from going through that. Around eleven, JJ looked at the five empty beer bottles and half eaten chicken and realized how tired he was.

  In keeping with his tradition, he turned the TV back to the news and opened his laptop to log in and check his 401k. The news rehashed the events in the Mid-East with no major developments. His 401k was doing ok. It plodded along with the rest of the market. The Dow Jones Industrial Average had closed at 14,346 for the day. He wondered if oil would rise due to the events in Israel but was too tired to research it tonight. He’d check it out in more detail tomorrow. He stumbled off to bed.

  Clay was late coming in to work on Wednesday. He checked in with JJ around nine forty-five. “Hey man, how did everything go yesterday with that case I left you?”

  “Significantly better than you look, bro. Seriously, you look like shit warmed over.”

  “Thanks, dick. I didn’t get much sleep last night. Old people don’t need much sleep once they get so old and Mamma D. was very upset and worried about David.”

  “Did you guys get any word if he is ok?” JJ asked.

  “Nothing yet. We’ve been trying to get up with his mom, but can’t get her. Not really that surprising since she’s never been really involved with us or him since she dumped him on Mom and Pap when he was eight. He’d been trying to build a relationship with her since he graduated a couple years back, but I don’t think they’ve gotten that close.

  “We tried calling the Navy but they won’t release anything yet. I just don’t know if that’s good news or bad news. They may be keeping the names of the dead low key, or they may just have too many to work through right now. I just hope we don’t get one of those guys showing up on the doorstep telling us that he’s gone. Mom and Pap would take that bad, but it’d kill Mamma D.” Clay said.

  “Well, if there is anything I can do, just let me know.”

  “Thanks, man. But even if we get through this, it may be a long time before we can stop worrying.”

  “What do you mean?” JJ asked.

  “You haven’t seen the news this morning?” Clay asked.

  “Not really. Seems like the same old Mid-East stuff going on.” JJ said.

  “The President is supposed to make a statement here in about fifteen minutes or so. They’re saying we’re also supposed to having another one from the Israeli Prime Minister sometime this morning. I think they’re going to tell us we are going to war.”

  Mary saw Clay standing in the doorway and stopped by to say hello. “Good morning, Jan. Clayton. How are we doing today?”

  “We’re all right, Mary.” Clay said to the short, plump brunette who managed this bank branch.

  “Well, since I saw you out here and with what happened yesterday with your nephew, I thought I’d let you know the President is about to speak. A couple of us are going to watch it in the break room if you want to come.” Mary said.

  “Yeah, I’d like to see that.” Clay responded.

  The three of them made their way down the hall and went into the break room. The network soon switched to the live feed from the President. The President gave an interesting mix of messages in his thirty-minute speech. Everyone in the break room remained silent until the President finished.

  True to the administration’s past performance, the President displayed lukewarm sentiments towards Israel. He condemned the attack on the American ships and stated that no further violence from Iran would be tolerated, less they risk a declaration of war from the United States. The US would send additional ships and ground forces to Bahrain to ensure the Strait of Hormuz would remain open. He expressed deep sympathy for the people of Israel and supported the Israeli Prime Minister’s earlier declaration of war with Iran, but stated that the United States would only lend logistical support to “our closest ally in the Middle East.”

  JJ, Clay, and Mary walked back to Clay’s office after the speech. “What the hell was that?” Mary asked.

  “What do you mean, Mary?” JJ asked.

  “The mixed messages contained in that load of shit.” Clay said. “You know, I’ve been supporting that guy for a long time and supported him as strong as anyone; but that was just weird. They ATTACKED us and may have killed my nephew. Why aren’t we going over there and handing Iran their ass on a platter?”

  “I’m with Clayton on this one. What was that message? We agree with Israel that they should attack, but we’re not going to even though we were attacked? Something doesn’t add up here.” Mary said.

  “Maybe they’re still looking at other options.” JJ ventured. “Maybe they know that America just got out of two wars, and we’re not ready for another one just yet? One of the few things that did catch my attention on the news on the drive in was that the new Occupy protestors had adopted an anti-war purpose overnight. Maybe that had something to do with it?”

  “Maybe you’re right, JJ.” Clay said. “But this just doesn’t feel right with me. Something’s up.”

  “Anyway,” Mary cut in, “let’s get back to work and try to focus on our jobs. Maybe it’ll help take our minds off of all of this. I’ve got a TV in my office. I’ll send someone back to grab you, Clayton, if anything changes.” Clay and JJ thanked Mary and got back to work.

  The rest of the day progressed at a standard pace. No one ever came back to get JJ or Clay since nothing substantial occurred. The only new news was about the escalating unrest at the revived Occupy protests across the country. Even though they had been going off and on for almost three years and had died down over the last year, they had gathered momentum in the last couple of months. Just before he shut down for the day, JJ logged in to check his investments. He saw the Dow down almost two hundred points, not surprising given the news. The oil futures he had looked at earlier in the morning were up over eighty dollars to $183.45 a barrel. He started to kick himself for not buying in when he heard a small knock at the door.

  “Hey JJ, I just wanted to stop by and see you before we head out for the day.” Mary said, her hands wringing the bottom of her blue blouse.

  “Sure, what’s on your mind?”

  “How is Clayton really holding up? I know you two are buddies and you’d have a better read on him than I would. There will always some barriers between a boss and an employee. I just know he looked pretty rough this morning. I’m assuming it’s all related to his nephew. So, how’s he really doing?”

  “Well, from what I’ve gathered, David isn’t just a ‘nephew.’ His mom up and left him with his grandparents when he was eight or nine. They pretty much raised him from that point on. When, Clay and his wife split up a few years later and Clay moved back in with them, they took on more of a father-son or maybe a big brother relationship. That all happened before I knew Clay. He hasn’t really talked about it too much with me. We generally just talk about current things going on and don’t get into each other’s past too much. But you’re right, he does seem pretty eaten up over it. I guess I would be too.”

  “Well, I’d appreciate it if you could help me keep an eye on him, especially if they do get some bad news. My brother was in combat over there in Iraq a few years ago. It helps to have someone who understands looking out for you. I’m not really sure what all we can do, but I’d like to know, just in case.” Mary said.

  “I appreciate that and I’m sure Clay will too. But speaking of bad news,
nothing that bad mind you, did you see the price of oil this afternoon?” JJ asked.

  “No I didn’t. I didn’t know you invested in oil.”

  “I don’t but the news yesterday got me to looking at it. You know how the when something bad happens in the gulf, ours or theirs, the media jumps all over what oil is doing. Well, I thought I might make a little money on it, but I was too late. I looked into it a little bit this morning but didn’t get around to buying any. It went up over eighty bucks today.” JJ finished.

  “Wow! What’s it at?” Mary inquired.

  “One hundred and eighty-three bucks.”

  “Wow, maybe I should have traded in my SUV a couple months ago. If it keeps that up, gas is going to be up in the high three dollar range again.” Mary said.

  “Yeah, but don’t worry. It’ll go down in a few weeks.”

  “I hope you’re right. Anyway, I have to get home. Kids and a husband to feed, and all that. Have a good night, Jan.”

  “You too, Mary.”

  Clayton came in early on Thursday. When he saw JJ head into his office he decided to go share the good tidings. JJ had just sat down when his friend walked in whistling. Clay smiled. “Hey, man. What’s going on?”

  “Nothing much.” JJ responded. “What’s going on with you? You look a hundred times better than you did yesterday.”

  “We heard from David yesterday evening. He’s ok. He was on the carrier when it got hit, but was on the other side of the ship. He said things were pretty crazy and that he couldn’t tell us much. They were giving the crew ten minutes to call home and touch base with friends and family, so he gave us a call.”

  “I’m really glad he is ok. I know that takes a load off of your mind. Did he say anything about the other crew?” JJ asked.

  “Not really. He just said it was bad. Real bad. Anyway, I have a good bit to catch up on. My head hasn’t exactly been in the game these last few days.”

  “I totally understand.” JJ said. “Wanna do lunch?”

  “I can’t. I really need to get through some of my backed up work. Maybe tomorrow?” Clay asked.

  “Sure.” JJ said.

  Clay turned and left. JJ got back to work. He processed the paperwork for nine new loans and had his final meetings for two approvals. He had a lull around two thirty and decided to check in on Clay. As he walked down the hall, he noted that he hadn’t seen Mary all morning and decided to ask Clay about it. He knew she was trying to keep an eye on him, so maybe she had stopped by to check on him. “Hey, bro. How’s the work going?” JJ asked.

  “Pretty good, man. I’m just about caught up from the last few days. Tomorrow will be jammed with meetings, a few approvals and some disapprovals. You know how it goes.”

  “Yeah, I know how that is. Say, have you seen Mary around today? I was going to talk to her about getting out of here a little early tomorrow before Lucy’s ballet thing.”

  “Haven’t seen her all day. I talked to her admin this morning, and she mentioned something about a meeting all morning. She didn’t say what…” He trailed off as Mary walked by.

  “Hey, Mary!” JJ said. “How’s things? We were just wondering where you’ve been all morning.”

  “Hey, guys.” Mary said. “Clay, can we go out for a smoke?”

  “But you don’t smoke, Mary.” Clay said.

  “I used to, years ago, and I could really use one about now.” Mary said, her normal squared away persona a little frayed.

  “Sure, Mary. Let’s head out.” Clay said.

  , Clay handed her his pack and his lighter as they walked outside. Mary pulled one out and lit it. She coughed as she exhaled her first drag. “It has been a while, huh?” Clay asked.

  “Ok, Mary,” JJ said, “Wanna fill us in on what’s bothering you?”

  Mary filled them in on the emergency meeting and the events that had taken place that morning. “Either of you been following the news this morning?” She asked.

  “Not really. I’ve been buried, trying to make some room to take tomorrow afternoon off; and Clay has been focused on catching up from the last few days.” JJ said.

  “So, you guys didn’t see where they closed the stock market?” Mary said with a tight laugh.

  “What are you talking about, Mary? The markets aren’t supposed to close for another hour or so.” Clay said.

  “They’re not, but by the time we got out of our meeting shortly after lunch, they closed them down.”

  “Let’s start at the beginning,” JJ said. “What was this ‘emergency meeting’ this morning?”

  “All of the branch managers were summoned to the corporate building downtown at seven this morning.”

  “Ouch.” JJ stated.

  “Yeah. Apparently the Chinese really screwed us last night. About the middle of their trading day in Asia, the head of the Chinese state run bank made the announcement that they were absolutely not going to buy into the Euro bailout fund for Italy, Spain, and Greece.” Mary said.

  “Ok. What does that have to do with us?” JJ asked.

  “I had the same question. Some of the corporate guys briefed us on that. Well, as you know, the Eurozone countries have been giving these bailouts to Greece for the last couple of years. Greece always acts like they can’t make the next round, and Germany and France always come in at the last minute to give them more money. Italy was in trouble a year or so ago and has gotten itself back in the same trouble in the last couple of months. The size of the bailout needed was much bigger than what Germany and France can afford. They were really counting on the Chinese to step in and help flip the bill. Now that China has stepped out of the deal, the whole thing is busted and Greece and Italy are probably going to default. Spain won’t be far behind them. The deal was looking like a sure thing to be approved next week.” Mary explained.

  “Ok. While all of that is very interesting, I’m with JJ. How does that tie in with us?” Clay asked.

  “That’s what the meeting this morning was about.” Mary said. “All of that is what is out there in the news. What the higher-ups at corporate briefed us on this morning was how the American banks have been quietly funding money to the German and French banks, as well as the International Monetary Fund to shore up the past Eurozone bailouts. Our parent bank is actually pretty heavily invested in this thing. When the Israeli’s launched attacks on Iran…”

  “What? They attacked!” JJ asked.

  “You really have been out of it.” Mary said. “Yeah, they started doing airstrikes late last night. Anyway, when they launched their attacks, oil jumped to over two hundred and twenty dollars a barrel. The Chinese, and according to our own experts at corporate, they’re right, believe that the jump in oil will stall the US and the European economies. Because of this, they have lost all faith that the Eurozone can pull out of their recession and make good on their bailout funds. They see it as throwing good money after bad. I can’t really blame them.

  “As if all of that wasn’t bad enough, the guys at corporate briefed us on this because they thought we might see some pretty bad reactions in the market in the next week or so. We were all shocked when we walked out of the meeting and the Dow was down over on thousand points.”

  “A thousand points!” JJ said. “Holy shit. How did that happen?”

  “The pullout of the bailout fund wasn’t the only bad news that China had for us. The market fell about three hundred points or so after their first announcement that they were pulling out. Right before we got out of the meeting, they made their second announcement. They began selling all of their US debt. Their rational was that with the Eurozone debt deal going under, the potential losses for US banks, the sluggish economy, and the skyrocketing oil prices; the value of the dollar would rapidly decline. So, they’re pulling out among fears that the banking sector is going to be hit, and hit hard. They are also concerned that we may begin printing more money to shore up the banks, like we did back in ‘08. By the time we got out of the meeting, markets had taken a seven hundred-
point hit, triggering the automatic shutdown.”

  JJ and Clay looked at her, dumbfounded. JJ broke the silence as Mary lit her second cigarette. “Meaning no disrespect, Mary, but why did they tell you all of this? We’re just a smaller branch of the bank, and it’s a pretty big bank. Why pull in branch managers?”

  “The whole point of the meeting was to prep us for what could be a very crazy few weeks ahead. We talked about possible layoffs if the bank goes under or is hit hard in the fallout of this. They are also setting up training classes for us next week on the procedures of what we do if we get a run on the branches. They figured that all of this would play out over a period of weeks or months. We were all shocked when we got out of the meeting and saw how fast this was moving. We could see some craziness tomorrow.” Mary finished.

  “But I don’t get it. Why would they let all of this out?” JJ asked.

  Clay answered him. “Because they probably have known how weak the whole thing was for a while. They’re trying to brace for impact now because they’re scared.”

  “So, what do we do now, Mary?” JJ asked.

  “I’m not really sure. I’m going to hold a meeting with all of the bank staff at four today. There won’t be anything new to tell you guys, so you can take off early. Tomorrow could be a trying day. I’m going to need you to be here early and ready to help out wherever needed. Sorry about the afternoon off, Jan; but I think we all need to be here for whatever tomorrow brings.” JJ wasn’t happy but agreed that he would be there.

  “Well,” Clay said. “I’m gonna give Leesha a call and see if she wants to do something tonight, since we might not be able to do something tomorrow night.”

  “Leesha?” Mary asked.

  “Yeah, that’s his latest sweetheart. Pretty, young, gullible. Meets all requirements for the Clayton stamp of approval.” JJ said with smile.

  “Hey now! You forgot smart.” Clay said as he turned back to Mary. “She’s a grad student at the University of Chicago. Really smart girl. Seems to like me well enough.”