Field of Blackbirds - Clayton Jeppsen & Lindsey Jeppsen (me reader txt) 📗

a hand on his shoulder, accompanied by a firm voice,
“Radi,”
Only one person called him Radi, his uncle, Petrovich. Before Radenko could fully turn, Petrovich was already embracing him.
All winter, Petrovich had been in the Crna Mountains, mining coal. It was a risky job, but he couldn’t pass up the pay. He was making a month’s wages in about a week. Radenko hadn’t seen Petrovich for almost a year and didn’t expect him at the train station.
“If I didn’t come all the way down here to tell you to be careful, who else would do it?” Petrovich tried to look serious, but he corners of his mouth began to curl.
“Hey I’m a lawyer, not a combat soldier.” assured Radenko.
“It pay’s to be the General’s son, doesn’t it?” Petrovich smirked.
Petrovich found himself looking up at Radenko. “I can’t believe it Radi. You’re taller than me now.”
Radenko reached and squeezed Petrovich’s bicep. “And almost as strong, too.” Radenko released a pestering laugh.
“That will never happen.” assured Petrovich.
Radenko knew that was true. Petrovich was built like a bulldozer from top to bottom. Every muscle was round and hard. He had just turned forty years old and if it wasn’t for a few rebellious gray hairs above his ears, one would never know that he wasn’t a professional ring boxer. Radenko on the other hand was taller and more slender.
Radenko loved Petrovich like an older brother. He had always been there for him since Sasia passed. When Radenko needed advice or had to make tough decisions, Petrovich was there. He helped him walk a straight line and tried to keep him from making the same mistakes he had as a youth. He even bailed Radenko out of trouble on occasion . . . . . like the pub incident at Bar Opstina, when Radenko was fifteen years old.
Radenko had snatched the keys to his father’s military issue jeep. He promised some older girls from school that he could purchase alcohol for them. This would surely impress one, maybe even both of them, he thought. Radenko tried to look as mature as possible when he walked into the pub with the girls. At first, everything went smoothly. He placed the order, which seemed to satisfy the girls. But he began to wonder why it was taking so long to get their drinks. That’s when he saw two policemen walk into the pub. The bartender must have noticed Radenko was too young and made the call.
The policemen began to question Radenko regarding his age. Radenko’s embarrassment in front of the girls overruled his fear of the authorities. Then reality set in. Radenko had his father’s jeep. They would find papers in the jeep and learn it belonged to Marshal Gavrillo. Word would get around and his father’s name would be jeopardized. Then, more horrifying then the 9mm on the policeman’s hip, one of them spoke,
“Hey, aren’t you the General’s son?”
Radenko quickly replied, “No.” But he wanted to say, just shoot me.
The words, “General’s son”, had caught Petrovich’s attention, who had been in the back of the pub the whole time, but had not known that Radenko was also there. Petrovich realized what was going on and quickly formulated a plan. He stood up abruptly from his table, trying to make a scene and yelled,
“Pavle, I told you, you would have hell to pay if I ever caught you here again. What were you thinking Son; that I wouldn’t find out?”
Petrovich began walking toward them. He unbuckled his belt, jerking it from his pants. Then he folded it in two. The policemen began to make the connection that this was the boy’s father. When Petrovich raised his arm, one of the policemen grabbed it and said,
“Not here, Sir”
Now, able to see out the front window, Petrovich noticed Radenko’s second huge blunder, the General’s jeep parked outside.
Surely Radenko wouldn’t have driven that here, he thought.
Still thinking quick on his feet, Petrovich said, “Boy, you got five minutes to get home.”
He grabbed Radenko firmly by the shoulders, faced him toward the door and gave him a shove.
“I’ll deal with you right after I explain this mess to the policemen.” Petrovich warned.
This would buy some time for Radenko to get the General’s jeep home. The policemen both agreed that the boy would be sufficiently punished at home and decided to dismiss the violation.
Radenko knew Petrovich had saved his bacon. Petrovich never even told the General about it. He never wanted to put Petrovich in that position again. While the policemen saw the rage and anger in Petrovich, Radenko only saw love. It was a gift, that Petrovich was always willing give.
Radenko was glad Petrovich came.
“I wanted you to meet someone.” Radenko almost didn’t notice the petite strawberry-blond that was standing next to Petrovich. She had on a royal-blue, wool coat that hung just above her knees.
“This is Anjia,” said Petrovich, as he put his arm around her to claim possession.
“I’m Radi,” Radenko extended his hand.
Anjia seemed a little shy, but she had a loud laugh. She had a glow about her. Her brown eyes sparkled as though they were filled with every color in the rainbow. She just seemed happy. That was rare during this time of strife and conflict. Her smile was warm and inviting. Radenko was happy for Petrovich. He always seemed too busy for a girlfriend. Radenko wondered if Petrovich would stay settled for long. For this young girl’s sake, he hoped so.
“She changed my life Radi. I don’t smoke or drink anymore. I go to church. I’m even reading the Bible again and another book about Christ’s visit to the America’s. It has made me a different person. I want to tell you all about it when we have more time.”
“Petro, not drinking anymore, no more cigarettes,” Radenko said out loud, “Wow! Come visit me in the field. I’ll take leave and have you back to normal in no time.”
Petrovich laughed, “No Radi, this time it’s for real.”
Although the station was partly indoors, they could still see their breath as they spoke. It was hard not to notice the couple next to them. The man was in business attire with a briefcase, probably leaving for a business trip. The lady was draped on him, refusing to let go.
“Well Radi, I didn’t come all this way just to show you my prize catch. I brought you something.”
Petrovich pulled a small picture from the inside pocket of his jacket. It was Mother Mary, cradling Baby Jesus. It was the picture that Radenko had taken when he was eight years old from his mother’s bedside. When Radenko realized what it was, he felt a knot well up in his chest. The same sensation he always felt when he thought of his mother.
“I dropped that at the hospital and I wished I hadn’t. I thought it was gone forever.” admitted Radenko.
“I picked it up Radi, because I knew one day you would wish you had it back. I just wanted to wait until the right time to give it to you. I think you need it now.” advised Petrovich. “I believe we will see her again, Radi. I believe this now more than ever. Keep this picture close to you, Radi. She’s up there watching over us. It will remind you of what’s important in life. It might help you make some tough decisions, or get through unpleasant times.”
Petrovich gave Radenko a brotherly rub on the head, just enough to mess up his hair. Just then, the train’s hydraulic brakes began to release and the train started moving slowly. Radenko quickly embraced Petrovich, pulling Anjia in with them.
“Thanks Petro,” he said. “Thank’s for always being there.” Then he turned toward Anjia, “and thank you, Anjia.”
Radenko jumped onto the train and waved to the two of them as they wrapped themselves in each other’s arms.
“I love that kid.” said Petrovich.
“I love you.” said Anjia.
“I love you too.” he said back to her.

Radenko picked a cart with a broken window. The cold air was enough to keep others out. He wanted to be alone for a time. His mind was filled with so many things. He sat and stared at the picture Petrovich had given him. As the train picked up speed, the wind caused the picture to flutter. He quickly tucked it into his inside coat pocket, afraid that he might lose it. It felt good there, next to his chest, next to his heart. Radenko situated his scarf, dipped his head down toward his chest, closed his eyes and fell asleep.


Chapter 9 – The Trial


Pristina, Serbia 1992

Radenko was, to say the least, overwhelmed with his first defense case. And he was already troubled with the confidential client-counselor relationship. He was appointed to defend a Lieutenant in the Vojsko Srbije. His name was Nikola Obilic.
Nikola’s orders were simple, to capture and relocate a group of two hundred Albanian Nationals living in Slatina, a small town just north of Kosovo. But Nikola and his men had killed all two hundred of the Albanians.
Nikola’s testimony and report was that they were partisan fighters and were tipped off as to the arrival of the Vojsko Srbije. Nikola maintained that the Albanians had become hostile and were met with resistance and force. He then claimed he was ordered by General Michilo Pec to bury the bodies, an order that the General denied making.
The prosecution insisted that burying the bodies compromised the evidence. Nikola stated that it was the only decent thing to do. The prosecution requested the bodies be unearthed. The Judge denied the motion. Then the prosecution inquired as to the whereabouts of the weapons used by the Albanians and demanded a chain of custody. Nikola was only able to produce thirty-one Serbian, military grade AK-47s. The prosecution made reference to the fact that Albanians primarily use the WWII, Mosine-Nagant and older model SKS rifles. Nikola’s testimony was that they were partisan fighters and probably got the weapons by ambushing Serbian soldiers.
Radenko felt unsure during the trial. He felt inadequate handling a case