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

Despite those stories, Jovanka was genuinely kind.
“Every Saturday, Lazar hikes to the Monastery of Ravanica, just a few kilometers south of town. You might find him there.” said Jovanka.
They all stood in front of the shop. Jovanka pointed to a tram that stopped in the middle of the road.
“If you take that tram south for eight stops before it finally turns onto Skender-begova street, you will see a church; behind the church, an open meadow. From there you will see a dirt path parting the tree line. It’s a thirty-minute walk from there. But you should go now.”
Lindsey hugged Jovanka and then Mr. Nowak.
“It was so nice to meet you both.” She declared. “We’ll see you soon.”
Reed stretched forth his hand to each of them, “Lazar is surrounded by good people.” he said.
“The pleasure is all ours, Reed.” Mr. Nowak assured. “Your watch will be ready in two days time. Come see us.”
“You’d better hurry now.” Jovanka motioned at the sound of the tram’s hydraulic brakes releasing pressure.

************

Only Lords and Kings should feel this good, thought Lazar, as he lay in perfect repose under a shady oak. The day’s light, soon to surrender its grasp on the land. After nearly ten years, Lazar could probably count, on one hand, the number of times he’d missed his Saturday hike to Ravanica. It was home to the remains of the ancient Prince Lazar. But to Lazar it was more than that. The Prince was the will to live through catastrophe. He was a legend.
Lazar took what he could from the Prince and measured his own life. There were things he may have done differently than Prince Lazar. But he had to admit, there were things he would have done differently in his own life as well. And here at Ravanica, Lazar was reminded that heroes are born everyday. You just have to teach them to believe in themselves, the way Mr. Nowak did for him. Now, Lazar was teaching his own children that; it matters not how hard you can hit, but rather how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. Milla was his proof.
Move forward, Lazar thought to himself. The words were as bright as a handful of new coins, and the idea, prosperous and prolific. For three years, his country was quietly peaceful and it felt good. Tonight, Lazar would take Milla on a date, and walk openly through the streets of Belgrade, hand and hand with his Muslim wife.
Lazar stood up in the matted grass, just in time to see two people ambling happily over the dirt path. They weren’t looking at him. They were letting Ravanica reel them in, the way it did Lazar when he first saw it as a young boy. But when Lazar got a closer look at them, he was astounded. It didn’t seem that ten years had passed. And his face hadn’t really changed much. The girl, however, was much more beautiful than the description he let ferment in his mind over the years. Lazar watched them for a couple of minutes, still amazed they had come all this way. What could they possibly be doing here, he wondered? And then, Reed saw him.

“Lazar,” Reed waved his hand high.
“America!” Lazar shouted back, from a few octaves away.
The distance quickly vanished and the two were embracing like brothers.
“You didn’t tell me you were coming.” Lazar kindly scolded.
“I didn’t tell you the first time we came either.” said Reed.
“But last time you made more noise. I was ready for you.” They both laughed.
“This is Lindsey.” Reed put his arm around her as she reached hers toward Lazar.
“She’s my better half.” proclaimed Reed.
“That’s for sure.” Lazar smiled wildly as he pulled Lindsey in to kiss her on each cheek. It was a European custom Reed had prepared her for.
“Nice to meet you, Lazar.”
Lazar nodded his head.
Lindsey still held his hand. “You saved his life you know.” She elbowed softly at Reed’s ribs.
Feeling the words take root in his heart, Lazar dipped his head shyly.
Then Lazar’s excitement popped back. “Have you eaten?” he asked.
Reed patted his stomach. “No, we haven’t. But we’ve worked up an appetite after that hike.”
“Then you’re invited to dinner at my place. Milla would love to meet you.” Lazar led the way.

Lazar and Milla had built a home on Mr. Nowak’s ranch, just outside of the city. Mr. Nowak had purchased many more horses and Milla took over their training. When she had free time, she volunteered at center for victims of hate crimes. She mostly tended to the young children. And four times a year she was a star at the Great Theatre in Belgrade; ‘Sleeping Beauty’, ‘Fiddler on the Roof’, ‘Christmas Carroll’, and finally, where Lazar had seen her for the first time, ‘Romeo and Juliet’.
When they got off the bus, Reed looked back at the city in the distance. The final light of day cracked like an egg over the city. The churches and mosques threw shadows spires into the darkness. It was beautiful. He pointed it out to Lindsey.
When they approached Lazar and Milla’s new home, it was all very welcoming. Deep red brick rooted firmly in the soil. The windowpanes were glowing at the first touch of twilight, a wisp of smoke twisting from a second story chimney. It all seemed like a picture waiting to be painted. And now a beautiful young lady had walked out of the door in a bright green summer dress, bringing life to the canvas.
“Lazar,” she called out to him.
“We’ve got company Milla.” Milla gave them a contemplative stare, wondering if she knew them.
Lazar introduced them. “This is Reed and his wife Lindsey.”
Milla paused for a second and then she gently brought her hand to her mouth.
“America?” she asked, under her breath.
“America.” replied Lazar.
“Oh, please come in.” she warmly invited.

Lazar walked Reed and Lindsey into the living room. Milla scurried and tidied around the house that already seemed spotless, save a few children’s toys left on the floor. The home was just as inviting on the inside as it was the outside. Though the home was new, an old-fashioned, iron stove stood in the corner of the room they were in. The walls and the floor were made of hard wood, adding a cabin-like touch. Family photos in mismatched frames decorated the walls.
Still studying the photos, Lindsey motioned Reed over. “You have a beautiful family Lazar.” She announced, loud enough for Milla ears as well.
“Thank you.” he replied. “Do you have any children?”
“Yes, two,” she answered, “Rhett, he’s five and Bella Grace, she’s three.”
Reed was about to ask Lazar the names of his children but Milla was already calling them down.
“Sofi, Radi, come down!” Milla stood at the base of the stairs and waited for them. “We have company, so make sure you’re dressed properly.”
Radenko down glided down the stairs first and had his mother not been there to brace him, he may have tumbled on the floor. He popped into the room, straightened his shoulders and expanded his chest. Then he saluted, “Reporting for duty, Sir.” But he had a huge smile on his face, revealing two oversized front teeth and one missing tooth. Reed and Lindsey were audibly amused. Reed even stood and returned his childish salute.
“This is Radenko.” Lazar introduced.
Reed glanced solemnly at Lazar and then back at Radenko. “You’ve got a good, strong name, Radenko,” then Reed walked over and kneeled in front of the young boy, “a hero’s name.” he added.
“I’m already ten years old.” he blurted.
Lindsey noticed Milla standing behind her son. She was wiping a small tear from her eye as she rubbed Radenko’s shoulder.
Reed stood and messed the boy’s hair with a few strokes of his hand. And then he held his hand out in front of him.
“It’s nice to meet you Radenko.”
Milla looked behind her and saw Sofi at the base of the stairs. She was sixteen now, nearly a women. Sofi had soft bouncy, blond curls, just over her shoulders and was as tall as Milla when she stood next to her. She put her arm around Milla and squeezed her as she spoke.
“Mom,” she said gently. And then in a more bubbly tone, she said, “Hi everyone, I’m Sofi.”
Milla and Sofi walked over and sat next Lindsey on the couch and began exchanging compliments on each others beauty.
After nearly forty-five minutes of conversation Lazar finally asked, “What brings you all the way to Serbia?”
The girls seemed endlessly intertwined in their conversation, but Reed still motioned Lazar out of the room.
“Can we go into the kitchen?” he asked.
“Sure.” Lazar looked concerned.
Reed leaned against the island in the middle of the kitchen, folded his arms.
“We found him, Lazar. We found Nikola.”
Lazar shot a wary glance toward the living room and then back at Reed.
“Nikola?” he asked. “I thought he was in South America somewhere.”
“That’s what we thought too.” Reed lowered his voice a little. “But he showed up here in Serbia, in Belgrade.”
Lazar didn’t speak. He was still processing the news. Reed could see bother sweeping over Lazar’s face.
Finally Lazar asked, “How did you find him?”
Nikola’s name was already designated on