Broken Toys

Chapter 30

The lock was stiff and Casey had to jiggle the key to get it to work. Once the heavy bolt slid back he withdrew the key and dropped it back into his jeans pocket before turning the doorknob. Taking a deep breath he pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The air was musty and heavy with the silence of a house that had been empty for too long. Dust motes swirled in the muted sunlight filtering in through the shades, dancing over the worn furniture. Here and there was a gap, something oddly missing, like a picture from the wall or a piece of furniture that had left impressions in the carpet. Casey moved slowly, trying to look everywhere at once and failing to see so much; the little details that had been a part of his grandparents' daily lives.

Just inside the front door was a flight of steps that he suspected led to the bedrooms. Straight ahead was probably the kitchen. To one side was a wall and to the other side a living room complete with old-fashioned grandfather clock. Casey went to it, ignoring the tufts of stuffing, that lay on the carpet; a squirrel or mouse must have gotten in. The clock had stopped, the pendulum no longer swinging. Opening the case carefully, Casey gave the pendulum a start.

Billy was running one hand over the upright piano keyboard, smiling thoughtfully. Across the room, Zeke was studying the small items on the fireplace mantel.

"Case," he called, waiting until Casey joined him before pointing out the item that had caught his interest. "Is that you?"

It was a black and white photograph in a plain wooden frame. In the photo an older woman sat in a rocking chair with a young boy on her lap. The child was no more than 5, with huge eyes in an small pointed face and stick-thin arms and legs. He was smiling and reaching out towards the camera.

"I don't remember that," Casey said slowly, leaning close to study the face of the woman. It was like looking at someone he knew only from a distance, like a celebrity in a magazine.

Billy joined them, placing his hand gently on Casey's back. "You were a cute kid, Casey."

Casey turned his head and smiled distractedly at Billy. His eyes were focused on distant memories rather than his friend.

"Lets finish the tour," Zeke suggested, using one hand to gently turn Casey away from the picture. The weight of the disconnected past was stifling here, in this room reserved for formal entertaining, devoid of the trappings of everyday activities.

The dining room was simply furnished with a plain wooden table and high-backed chairs. A matching sideboard and a corner dish cupboard were the only other pieces of furniture, a dusty silk flower arrangement the only decoration.

The kitchen was a nice surprise - light and more modern than Zeke had expected. He examined the appliances while Casey stood gazing out the window into the back yard.

"How big is the property, Casey?" Billy asked, joining him at the window.

"Not sure. It's the house and all the buildings plus some land, but I'm not sure of the total acreage."

"So was this a working farm?"

"Yes, but my grandparents only worked a small amount for themselves, the rest of the land was rented out. I'm not sure if Mom gave me everything or just the house. I didn't read all the papers yet."

But you have the garden out there, right, Case?"

"Yeah, I guess. I don't know much about gardening though." He studied the tangled patch of ground off to the side of the house and sighed.

"How hard could it be?" Billy asked. "We could try a small garden, just some tomatoes and stuff. It might be fun." He thumped Zeke, "Right?"

"Don't drag me into this," Zeke protested. "I can't tell a real plant from a weed."

"We need a cat," Casey announced suddenly. "There has to be a cat."

"You mean a dog," Billy corrected.

"Maybe a dog too, but not right away. First we need a cat."

"Why?" Zeke asked, the hint of a smile in his eyes. "You ever had a pet, Case?"

"Not allowed." Casey shook his head. "I always wanted one of those big black cats, the kind with eyes that look at you like they know your secrets. That will curl up and sleep in your lap."

"Can't count a cat for that, Casey. Dogs are better at doing what you want them to."

"I don't like big dogs," Casey replied, "and I don't want one of those little yappy dogs either."

"Oh, latent canine hostility detected," Zeke laughed. "Why don't we leave the pet debate and go see the rest of this house?"

Off the kitchen was the utility room complete with washer and dryer and steps leading to the basement. To the other side of the kitchen was a study, stuffed full of dark furniture and bookcases overflowing. Casey lingered there, looking at titles but not touching anything until Zeke pulled him away to finish looking around. A half bathroom and guest closet completed the downstairs.

Returning to the front hall they took the steps to the second floor and found three bedrooms and a full bathroom. The master suite had its own half-bath and large closet. In the hallway, a pull-down staircase led to the attic, a huge dusty room crammed full of boxes and old furniture. Billy explored, calling his discoveries down to Casey and Zeke who waited at the bottom of the steps.

"Wish you could see this, Casey. If this place was cleaned up it would be a great workspace."

"Take pictures," Casey yelled back. "My camera's in the car."

"I'll get it," Zeke offered, leaving before Casey had time to respond. While he was gone Casey wandered back into the master bedroom. The room ran across the entire front of the house. Casey could already imagine the king-sized bed and three matching dressers they'd need. The other three bedrooms would allow Billy and Zeke to each have their own room and still leave a guest room.

He closed his eyes, imagining furniture and paint combinations, possibly even wallpaper in some of the rooms downstairs. He'd never really paid attention to such things; his old room had been small and didn't allow much flexibility for rearranging. But here...

"Hey," Zeke was back, having delivered the camera to Billy. He slid his arms around Casey and kissed him tenderly. "Home, Case. Your home."

"Our home," Casey corrected him, resting his head on Zeke's chest and just savoring his presence. It drove away some of the melancholy.

"We'll photograph all the rooms, then go get some supper and go back to school. We can get some cleaning supplies and stuff and come back here tomorrow; make it a workday."

Casey nodded, not ready to leave the comfort of Zeke's embrace.

"Know what you need, Case?"

"Hmmm?"

Zeke put a hand under Casey's chin and tilted his face up, giving him another kiss before answering. "Catalogs."

Casey thwapped him lightly and smiled. "Yeah, smartass?"

"Thought I warned you about those endearments, Case. You'll make me all gooey."

"That so?" Casey asked. Zeke nodded solemnly in reply. "Well then I guess I'll just have to call you something manly... like muffin."

"Only if I get to call you cupcake." Zeke wrestled Casey onto the bed and the sound of laughter chased the last of the ghosts away.

*****

"Let me get this straight," Billy said with a wide grin. He pointed to Zeke. "You're 'muffin' and you," he pointed at Casey, "are 'cupcake'?" They nodded, grinning right back. "Dare I ask what name you've chosen for me?"

Casey grinned wider before answering. "Marshmallow."

Only the fact that they were in public in a restaurant kept Billy from tackling him right there. Instead, he gave Casey and Zeke a pointed look that promised mayhem when they were back in the room.

Zeke just smiled.

The meal was almost finished when Billy brought the subject up again. "You know, we should pick Musketeer names instead; Porthos, Athos, Aramis... much less," he made a face. "Edible." he concluded.

"Nothing wrong with edible," Zeke told him, his eyes promising to prove his statement when they were alone.

Casey looked at the two of them. "Sounds like an exit line to me."

Five minutes later they were in the car headed back to school.

*****

"Hey, Casey!" Snuffy leaned out of his window and shouted down to them as Casey, Zeke and Billy climbed out of the car. "Dean Parker wants to see you in his office pronto."

Casey looked at Zeke and Billy, eyes widening with worry.

"Want us to come with you, Casey?" Billy offered.

Casey shook his head and straightened. "No thanks, I'm sure I won't be long." He turned and headed across campus before they could decide to join him anyway.

He went as fast as he could, and by the time he arrived at the dean's office Casey was out of breath. Although the dean had always been very nice to him, he had the terrible feeling that he'd done something wrong.

"Come in," the dean replied to his tentative knock on the half-opened door. The dean was concentrating on something on his desk and didn't look up right away. Casey crossed the room and stood uneasily behind one of the guest chairs.

"Sit down, Mr. Conner," the dean instructed without looking up. Casey complied while the dean continued reading the papers in front of him. After several long minutes he gathered the papers and placed them in a file folder. Finally he looked up, but he wasn't smiling.

"You wanted to see me, sir?" Casey said nervously.

"Yes, Mr. Conner. Where were you today?"

"Sir?"

"Did you leave campus today, Mr. Conner?"

"Yes, sir." Casey said in a small voice. His face had gone pale and he hunched over in his seat, making himself small.

"Sit up, Mr. Conner!" Dean Parker barked. Casey immediately obeyed. "Better. Now perhaps I didn't make this clear to you but as long as I am your legal guardian, I expect you to tell me whenever you leave campus. Is that clear, Mr. Conner?"

Casey cringed. "Yes, sir."

"I don't expect to have this conversation again."

"Yes, sir."

The dean studied Casey for a long minute, making the boy squirm before reaching for the folder he had just put the stack of papers in. He held up the folder.

"I received an interesting letter today. Apparently you have been given a house. Is that correct?"

"Yes, sir," Casey responded, relaxing a little. "It was my mother's parent's house."

"And it is close?"

"About 30 miles, sir."

"I see." The dean leaned closer, his expression neutral and Casey felt his stomach tighten again. "Is that where you went today?"

Casey nodded.

"I assume you have a key?"

Another nod.

"Who gave you this key, Casey?" The dean's expression stayed the same but his voice made it clear that he would accept nothing but the truth, and that he already knew what that was.

"My... mother, sir." Casey squeaked.

"You have had contact with your mother since your parents relinquished custody?"

"Yes," Casey said miserably, his face downcast.

"Was it not sufficiently clear, Mr. Conner, that you were to have no contact with your mother?"

Casey contracted a little more and nodded.

"Look at me, Mr. Conner."

Casey looked up, his eyes almost fearful.

"Casey..." the dean's expression softened a little. "I know this is hard for you, but it is very important that you not have contact with either your mother or father for the next year. Once you are 18 you can decide if you want to see them again." The dean sighed, leaning back in his chair. "I am responsible for you Casey. Part of that responsibility is to make sure you have no contact with your parents." He leaned forward again, looking Casey in the eyes. "That means that you may not communicate in any way with Mrs. Elizabeth Conner. Do you understand me, Casey?"

Casey caught the spark of something that the dean seemed to be trying to tell him. He nodded carefully.

"Good." Dean Parker stood up and walked around the desk to Casey. "Perhaps you'll invite me to see your house some day, Casey?"

"Yes, sir. But you probably want to wait until we've cleaned it up a little." Casey stood up. "Is it ok if I go there tomorrow with Zeke and Billy? We want to get a start on cleaning."

Dean Parker placed a hand on Casey's arm and smiled. "It's fine, Casey. I just need to know where you are in case something happens."

"Yes, sir." Casey stood up, returning the smile. "Thank you."

"Good night, Casey."

"Good night, sir."

Casey could feel the dean watching him as he left the office and rather than feeling annoying, it seemed... nice.

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