Ada News by Jessica C

The hills roll from the southeast of Oklahoma and stretch from Norman to Arkansas. Some old rigs dot the countryside; and scattered through the farmlands around Ada, a small town with sixteen thousand residents, a college, and a courthouse. Money is made in Ada by the hour, in factories, pecan farms, and feed mills. Downtown Ada is a busy place, not as big as New York City, but not as small as your typical commons. There are no boarded-up buildings; the merchants survive on their business though most of them have moved to the edge of the town. Cafes are crowded at lunch.

It is one of the typical days in Ada. Everyone sees everyone at least once that day. But today was different for everyone, even if they knew it right then and there or later. Ron Williamson was getting back on his feet after his release from prison. He was getting a job, doing community service, and helping his sisters with what ever they needed.

As for Taylor Greeve, she was just looking for a little vacation with her daughter Turtle, nothing extravagant, just Turtle and her doing what girls do best. It was there first day in Ada and looking for something to do. There was so much to see and do, but so little time to do anything. The girls finally decided to have a picnic at Wintersmith Park. Turtle being the little adventurer she is, wanted to go off after having lunch for a walk. It was a one and a half mile lighted trail, and even though it was only a little after two o’clock, it was becoming dark. Taylor attempted to get Turtle to head back to the park, but she wanted to keep searching. Taylor wasn’t in a big hurry to go anywhere, it was still afternoon and they had time to spare.

“Turtle, come on lets go,” yelled Taylor.

Out of no where, is started down pouring. Taylor and Turtle, tried to get down the mountain without getting hurt. But Taylor had slipped and fell on a root and broke her ankle. She tried and tried to get up and she kept pushing herself, but her ankle hurt so badly she couldn’t keep going. Turtle called for help but nothing was yelled in return.

Fortunately, Ron happened to be walking in the woods, which were right behind his sister’s home, thinking about how he was going to keep out of trouble with drugs, alcohol, and women. Then it started to downpour. Ron was going to walk a little bit more and head on home, but then he herd a scream and thought nothing of it. But when he herd a faint yell for help he knew he had to go and find out what was wrong.

“Hey lady, you okay?” asked Ron.

Sarcastically she yelled back “Oh, yea I’m fine. I just slipped and hurt my ankle. We kind of thought it would be funny if we just stayed here and see who would show up is she started to yell. Yea, I’ll be okay.”

Ron helped Taylor and Turtle out from the woods. Ron took the girls back to his sister house and got them cleaned up.

“You girls aren’t from around here are you?” Ron asked.

“No. Where just visiting for a few days. We both needed a vacation,” smiled Taylor shyly. “Listen, is there anything we can do to help you out in any way. I am so grateful that you where there to save us.”

Ron smiled. “You don’t need to pay me back in anyway.”

As Taylor and Turtle sipped there hot chocolate, Taylor was trying to remember where she has seen Ron’s face. Was it from a show? Newspaper? Where? SHE KNEW!!! She knew him from the news and the paper. He had been convicted of killing Debra Sue Carter, was on the death sentence, and was falsely accused.

Ron saw that Taylor was thinking about something and new about what.

“You know who I am, don’t you?”

Taylor blushed. “I do. I think. You were accused of killing Debra Carter?” she paused, blushed again. “I’m sorry; it’s none of my business. I’m sorry. Forget I said anything.”

And as they became more acquainted with each other, the more they liked each other, but only as friends. They had so much in common, fighting for what was constitutional and what was unconstitutional. Taylor fought for her right to keep Turtle as her daughter. And Ron fought for his right for a fair trial. They were both committed to achieving there goals in life and had gotten them both very far.

Unfortunately, this story only takes place a week after Ron Williamson is released from prison and died. Taylor went to Ron’s funeral less then five days after she knew him. Even though they didn’t know each other that long, she felt like they knew each other for years. Taylor paid her respects.

“Come on Turtle, there nothing to be afraid of,” Taylor said. “Come on,” And there they kneeled and said there prayers. And after a long silence Taylor said “Amen.”

“Amen,” said Turtle.

They may not have been the best of friends, cousins, or brother and sister, but the love that they had for each other was like no other bond and could not even be described. Not in words, music, colors, paints, etc.