Chapter Nine
Mr. Tolen in the City of Kalkulta
It had been a week since Mr. Tolen left his home and family, right after his daughter Mary's eleventh birthday. About six days after he traveled to the city of Kalkulta, Mr. Keppler from the telephone company came to the Tolen's home to repair their telephone. Mary was at school, so he met Mrs. Tolen alone at home, watching TV when he arrived.
When Mary returned from school, she asked her mom, "Mama, when is papa returning from Kalkulta city? It's been almost a week since he left, and we haven't heard anything about his condition or safety."
"Don't worry, dear. Your father will be back soon and he's doing just fine," Mrs. Tolen reassured her.
The city of Kalkulta had been very hot for Mr. Tolen due to the climatic conditions. He had yet to make contact with the person he went to see there, which was why he hadn't called Mrs. Tolen in the last six days he had been away. On the seventh day in Kalkulta, he decided to call his wife and inform her of the lack of progress in finding the private investigator he had gone to see. He considered extending his stay or returning immediately to Zinatano city.
Mr. Tolen had stayed at the bus terminal for a week, trying to board a bus back to Zinatano. The bus would make a stop at a village to pick up farm produce for the local market in Zinatano. Although he was eager to return home, he had no choice but to wait for the bus with few passengers.
As the journey started, Mr. Tolen slept through most of it, waking occasionally at police check points and rough road patches. Near a village stop, the bus collided head-on with a timber truck, causing a fiery accident that killed all passengers on both vehicles. Mr. Tolen was thrown from the bus and survived, though he was the only recognizable casualty taken to the hospital and later to the mortuary.
Back home, Mrs. Tolen received the devastating news of her husband's death from a police officer. She was in disbelief, having spoken to him the day before. She broke down in tears, trying to come to terms with the loss. Mary, too, was devastated and asked her mother what had happened to her father.
Mr. Tolen was buried, drawing mourners from all walks of life. The company he worked for sent representatives and made donations to support Mrs. Tolen and Mary. After the funeral, life returned to normal for everyone involved.