| THE LAST DINOSAUR: AN UNFORGETTABLE LOVE STORY |
Wandering in the jungle of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula to
save the woman he loves knowing she's planning to
marry someone else, makes no sense. But neither does
walking the streets of Houston on Halloween night
dressed as "The Incredible Hulk" and getting involved in
a horrendous fight for his life. How about electing to
teach history and coach baseball at the most
impoverished inner-city high school Houston has to offer?
Throw in the fact this person is Jerry Walker, Major
League Baseball's top superstar.
Walker earned the nickname "The Last Dinosaur" for his
old-fashioned convictions and values. He loves God,
family, country, kind considerate people, slow dancing,
moonlight, and old-time rock 'n roll. He also believes
people are basically good and the ones that manifest
meanness are only missing love and a place to belong.
That is precisely his approach to teaching and coaching.
However, he quickly discovers being ill-prepared for the
challenges of both the militant students and an evil
principal. But with the help of two faculty allies, he
attempts to make a difference in the lives of young
people. It's a roller coaster ride as he deals with
senseless deaths of a few.
save the woman he loves knowing she's planning to
marry someone else, makes no sense. But neither does
walking the streets of Houston on Halloween night
dressed as "The Incredible Hulk" and getting involved in
a horrendous fight for his life. How about electing to
teach history and coach baseball at the most
impoverished inner-city high school Houston has to offer?
Throw in the fact this person is Jerry Walker, Major
League Baseball's top superstar.
Walker earned the nickname "The Last Dinosaur" for his
old-fashioned convictions and values. He loves God,
family, country, kind considerate people, slow dancing,
moonlight, and old-time rock 'n roll. He also believes
people are basically good and the ones that manifest
meanness are only missing love and a place to belong.
That is precisely his approach to teaching and coaching.
However, he quickly discovers being ill-prepared for the
challenges of both the militant students and an evil
principal. But with the help of two faculty allies, he
attempts to make a difference in the lives of young
people. It's a roller coaster ride as he deals with
senseless deaths of a few.
| TO PURCHASE BOOK VISIT: AMAZON |
BARNES AND NOBLE
| AUTHORHOUSE |
| Excerpt |
At the Leonardi house, Leslie went to her room and cried herself to sleep. Mary
served Jerry a piece of pecan pie and a glass of milk while pouring herself a cup of
coffee and sitting opposite him
"You don’t know how many nights I went to bed praying some man would come
along and take Tony under his wing. God sent you, and I’ve thanked the Almighty
ever since. Now I don’t know what to do?”
“I wouldn’t move off with Tony’s grave still here. I think that’d be a mistake. I’d also
ask Leslie how she feels, then weigh those two things along with your own feelings.
The boys and I are leaving for California tomorrow. I…”
"I know, but don’t worry, I won’t be making a decision anytime soon.”
“I know you’re aware of this, but I just want to remind you that now, especially, is the
time to turn to God.”
“Thanks. I am aware of that. Would you be so kind as to let me alone for a while to
mourn and kinda let this sink in? I also need some time with Leslie. Right now I
keep thinking I’ll wake up in the morning and find Tony helping Leslie get ready for
school.”
Nodding his head understandingly, Jerry stood, saying, “Goodnight. I’ll call you
when we get back. I’ll also have Sam and Doris look in on you. That’s where I’ll be
staying tonight.” Leaving the kitchen, he proceeded to the front room and stood a
few moments reminiscing.
***
The following morning, everyone gathered at the breakfast table for one of Doris’
famous breakfast feasts, truly the highlight of any morning.
Entering the kitchen, Jerry discovered Sam and the three boys already sampling the
food. After stacking some food on his plate and taking a seat, he could not help
noticing Sam and Doris staring in his direction, prompting him to ask, “Is there
something wrong?”
Doris wasted no time answering, “Elizabeth Snyder called last night. She said it
was urgent that you call her.”
With a puzzled look, Jerry wondered, “Elizabeth called me? Any idea what she
could possibly want?”
Sam, taking a hint from Doris, divulged, “Bloom took Frances to Cancun for a pre-
wedding celebration. He had to come back for a brief meeting and was supposed to
have returned to Cancun yesterday. Because Hurricane Danny is threatening the
Cancun/Cozumel area, he refused to go back. Now it’s too late. There are no more
flights into Cancun. A person would have to fly into Balcheil and drive the rest of the
way. Afterward, he’d have to figure his own way out.”
Bewildered, Jerry professed, “I don’t get it. Why are you telling me this?”
Doris obliged, “Someone has to go after her.”
Frightened for their mother, the boys simultaneously looked up from their plates.
Sam expounded, “She doesn’t know Bloom’s not going back. He somehow left with
her airline ticket. She has no way of leaving if she wanted to.”
Dropping his fork, Jerry assessed without looking up, “This is about my going to get
her, isn’t it? That’s why Elizabeth called, huh?” He shook his head in disgust.
Jerry Allen blurted out, “Dad, you gotta go get Mom!”
Sam expressed, “There’s not much time. The last flight to Balcheil leaves at twelve-
thirty. You’ll arrive there about two-fifteen. From there it’s another two hours to
Cancun, and the last flight out of there leaves at seven. If you’re going, we have to
get you to the airport immediately.”
Objecting, Jerry pleaded, “The boys and I are scheduled to leave for California
tomorrow. It’s our last fling before they have to go back to the mansion.” Pausing,
he added, “I go rescue her, and ‘Mr. Wonderful’ gets to bed down with her. Tell me
where the justice is in that, Sam?”
“I can’t. There’s very little anywhere, but she’s the mother of your children. Where’s
the justice if no one goes to get her and she’s killed? Then talk justice to your
children.”
Doris spoke up with some uncharacteristic determination and language usage.
“Dammit, don’t be an ass like Bloom! Just go get her before it’s too late!”
“Doris, when did you start using foul language?”
“Just now. If you don’t go after her, it’ll get much worse, believe me.”
Acknowledging the pleading looks on his boys’ faces, he conceded, “I don’t know
how to drive in that jungle.”
Sam smiled out of relief, “Ad lib.”
***
At the boarding gate, Sam provided Jerry some last minute instructions. “She’s
staying in Room 426 at the Sheraton. It’s on the point of the beachfront hotel strip.
Remember, she thinks Bloom is coming after her, so you’re the last person she’s
expecting. We thought it’d prevent her from panicking if she thought Bloom was still
coming back. Also, you better drive fast, because you’ll have just enough time to
get there, find her, and get her to the airport for that last flight out. You’ll then have
to try to make it back to Balcheil for your return flight.”
“I like that, Sam. Tell me all the bad news just as I reach the point of no return. You’
re a real sweetheart.”
Laughing, Sam put out his hand, promising, “We’ll pray for you. Please take care
and use your head. God will bless you, and your children will love you extra special
forever. Oh, here’s her airline ticket.”
The Aero Mexico aircraft landed in Balcheil at 2:16 p.m., and Jerry wasted no time
renting a Volkswagen “Thing,” as it was called in America. It was referred to as a
“Safari” in Mexico. Requiring more than half an hour to learn the directions to
Cancun and another two hours to drive, he arrived at 4:50 p.m.
Upon entering the Cancun city limits, Jerry hurried to the hotel strip, steering the
Safari into the circular driveway in front of the spacious Sheraton Hotel. Quickly
entering the hotel lobby, he approached the registration desk.
“Would you please ring Room 426 and tell the woman staying there William is
waiting for her downstairs?”
“Yes, sir, right away.”
Jerry was leaning on the reservations desk with his back to the elevators. Anxiety
had taken control of his emotions while waiting to set eyes on Frances for the first
time in over eight months.
“Jerry Walker! What are you doing here?”
Quickly turning around and seeing her standing before him looking so gorgeous, he
was at a loss for words. Clearing his throat, he divulged, “Uh…Elizabeth asked me
to come bring you home.”
“The message said William was here! Is there something wrong?! Is William hurt?!”
Raising both arms high in the air, Jerry appealed, “Whoa, slow down. He’s fine, I
guess. Nobody told me a thing. All I know is, I’m here to put you on a flight home.
So please back off with your assault. This wasn’t my idea, believe me.”
“That’s not surprising. Why do I have to go home in the first place? William’s not
coming back?”
“Don’t you know?”
“Know what?”
“That hurricane out there is threatening Cancun. No one’s told you?”
“No. We just thought it was a tropical storm. When William left, he said he’d be
back the next day, which is today.”
“Well, he’s not coming back and that storm is a full fledged hurricane. Before I
forget, here’s your airline ticket. We have two hours before your flight leaves, so let's
get a bite to eat and kill some time. I’m starved.”
“There’s a real nice restaurant here at the hotel,” informed Frances.
“Lead the way.”
Curious, she asked, “Didn’t they serve a snack or something on your flight?”
“No, and it was a two hour drive from Balcheil.”
While never losing a step, she glanced at Jerry asking, “Why did you come that
peculiar way?”
Jerry hesitated answering as they entered the restaurant and followed the hostess
to a table.
Taking a seat, he answered, “There were no more flights into Cancun because of
the hurricane.”
“It’s that close already?”
“Yep.”
“You don’t have a return ticket from here, do you?” She asked.
"Nope,” he replied, gazing at the menu.
“May I ask how you’re getting back?”
“Same way I came.”
“You’re going to wait here until you put me on my return flight, and then drive two
hours back to Balcheil? You might not make it,” exclaimed Frances, showing signs
of concern.
"It’s not your worry, is it?”
served Jerry a piece of pecan pie and a glass of milk while pouring herself a cup of
coffee and sitting opposite him
"You don’t know how many nights I went to bed praying some man would come
along and take Tony under his wing. God sent you, and I’ve thanked the Almighty
ever since. Now I don’t know what to do?”
“I wouldn’t move off with Tony’s grave still here. I think that’d be a mistake. I’d also
ask Leslie how she feels, then weigh those two things along with your own feelings.
The boys and I are leaving for California tomorrow. I…”
"I know, but don’t worry, I won’t be making a decision anytime soon.”
“I know you’re aware of this, but I just want to remind you that now, especially, is the
time to turn to God.”
“Thanks. I am aware of that. Would you be so kind as to let me alone for a while to
mourn and kinda let this sink in? I also need some time with Leslie. Right now I
keep thinking I’ll wake up in the morning and find Tony helping Leslie get ready for
school.”
Nodding his head understandingly, Jerry stood, saying, “Goodnight. I’ll call you
when we get back. I’ll also have Sam and Doris look in on you. That’s where I’ll be
staying tonight.” Leaving the kitchen, he proceeded to the front room and stood a
few moments reminiscing.
***
The following morning, everyone gathered at the breakfast table for one of Doris’
famous breakfast feasts, truly the highlight of any morning.
Entering the kitchen, Jerry discovered Sam and the three boys already sampling the
food. After stacking some food on his plate and taking a seat, he could not help
noticing Sam and Doris staring in his direction, prompting him to ask, “Is there
something wrong?”
Doris wasted no time answering, “Elizabeth Snyder called last night. She said it
was urgent that you call her.”
With a puzzled look, Jerry wondered, “Elizabeth called me? Any idea what she
could possibly want?”
Sam, taking a hint from Doris, divulged, “Bloom took Frances to Cancun for a pre-
wedding celebration. He had to come back for a brief meeting and was supposed to
have returned to Cancun yesterday. Because Hurricane Danny is threatening the
Cancun/Cozumel area, he refused to go back. Now it’s too late. There are no more
flights into Cancun. A person would have to fly into Balcheil and drive the rest of the
way. Afterward, he’d have to figure his own way out.”
Bewildered, Jerry professed, “I don’t get it. Why are you telling me this?”
Doris obliged, “Someone has to go after her.”
Frightened for their mother, the boys simultaneously looked up from their plates.
Sam expounded, “She doesn’t know Bloom’s not going back. He somehow left with
her airline ticket. She has no way of leaving if she wanted to.”
Dropping his fork, Jerry assessed without looking up, “This is about my going to get
her, isn’t it? That’s why Elizabeth called, huh?” He shook his head in disgust.
Jerry Allen blurted out, “Dad, you gotta go get Mom!”
Sam expressed, “There’s not much time. The last flight to Balcheil leaves at twelve-
thirty. You’ll arrive there about two-fifteen. From there it’s another two hours to
Cancun, and the last flight out of there leaves at seven. If you’re going, we have to
get you to the airport immediately.”
Objecting, Jerry pleaded, “The boys and I are scheduled to leave for California
tomorrow. It’s our last fling before they have to go back to the mansion.” Pausing,
he added, “I go rescue her, and ‘Mr. Wonderful’ gets to bed down with her. Tell me
where the justice is in that, Sam?”
“I can’t. There’s very little anywhere, but she’s the mother of your children. Where’s
the justice if no one goes to get her and she’s killed? Then talk justice to your
children.”
Doris spoke up with some uncharacteristic determination and language usage.
“Dammit, don’t be an ass like Bloom! Just go get her before it’s too late!”
“Doris, when did you start using foul language?”
“Just now. If you don’t go after her, it’ll get much worse, believe me.”
Acknowledging the pleading looks on his boys’ faces, he conceded, “I don’t know
how to drive in that jungle.”
Sam smiled out of relief, “Ad lib.”
***
At the boarding gate, Sam provided Jerry some last minute instructions. “She’s
staying in Room 426 at the Sheraton. It’s on the point of the beachfront hotel strip.
Remember, she thinks Bloom is coming after her, so you’re the last person she’s
expecting. We thought it’d prevent her from panicking if she thought Bloom was still
coming back. Also, you better drive fast, because you’ll have just enough time to
get there, find her, and get her to the airport for that last flight out. You’ll then have
to try to make it back to Balcheil for your return flight.”
“I like that, Sam. Tell me all the bad news just as I reach the point of no return. You’
re a real sweetheart.”
Laughing, Sam put out his hand, promising, “We’ll pray for you. Please take care
and use your head. God will bless you, and your children will love you extra special
forever. Oh, here’s her airline ticket.”
The Aero Mexico aircraft landed in Balcheil at 2:16 p.m., and Jerry wasted no time
renting a Volkswagen “Thing,” as it was called in America. It was referred to as a
“Safari” in Mexico. Requiring more than half an hour to learn the directions to
Cancun and another two hours to drive, he arrived at 4:50 p.m.
Upon entering the Cancun city limits, Jerry hurried to the hotel strip, steering the
Safari into the circular driveway in front of the spacious Sheraton Hotel. Quickly
entering the hotel lobby, he approached the registration desk.
“Would you please ring Room 426 and tell the woman staying there William is
waiting for her downstairs?”
“Yes, sir, right away.”
Jerry was leaning on the reservations desk with his back to the elevators. Anxiety
had taken control of his emotions while waiting to set eyes on Frances for the first
time in over eight months.
“Jerry Walker! What are you doing here?”
Quickly turning around and seeing her standing before him looking so gorgeous, he
was at a loss for words. Clearing his throat, he divulged, “Uh…Elizabeth asked me
to come bring you home.”
“The message said William was here! Is there something wrong?! Is William hurt?!”
Raising both arms high in the air, Jerry appealed, “Whoa, slow down. He’s fine, I
guess. Nobody told me a thing. All I know is, I’m here to put you on a flight home.
So please back off with your assault. This wasn’t my idea, believe me.”
“That’s not surprising. Why do I have to go home in the first place? William’s not
coming back?”
“Don’t you know?”
“Know what?”
“That hurricane out there is threatening Cancun. No one’s told you?”
“No. We just thought it was a tropical storm. When William left, he said he’d be
back the next day, which is today.”
“Well, he’s not coming back and that storm is a full fledged hurricane. Before I
forget, here’s your airline ticket. We have two hours before your flight leaves, so let's
get a bite to eat and kill some time. I’m starved.”
“There’s a real nice restaurant here at the hotel,” informed Frances.
“Lead the way.”
Curious, she asked, “Didn’t they serve a snack or something on your flight?”
“No, and it was a two hour drive from Balcheil.”
While never losing a step, she glanced at Jerry asking, “Why did you come that
peculiar way?”
Jerry hesitated answering as they entered the restaurant and followed the hostess
to a table.
Taking a seat, he answered, “There were no more flights into Cancun because of
the hurricane.”
“It’s that close already?”
“Yep.”
“You don’t have a return ticket from here, do you?” She asked.
"Nope,” he replied, gazing at the menu.
“May I ask how you’re getting back?”
“Same way I came.”
“You’re going to wait here until you put me on my return flight, and then drive two
hours back to Balcheil? You might not make it,” exclaimed Frances, showing signs
of concern.
"It’s not your worry, is it?”
ROBIN DOBBINS
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |