Little Cabin on the Lane

Chapter 10

 

“Morning, JR,” Ben said as he came down the stairs.

JR had been up for a few minutes. She had started a pot of coffee and had set out boxes of cereal on the table, including the high fiber vitamin enriched tasteless crap that Ben ate every day. She was eating her own bowl of cereal.

“Good morning,” JR replied. They were on much better terms since Michael’s intervention, but JR kept waiting for the axe to fall on her once more. She was sure she’d do something that Ben would find juvenile or unworthy based on his university education.

“You’ve been busy,” Ben observed seeing everything that she had arranged.

“I’ve been up for a while. Coffee’s ready if you want some.”

“Yeah, I think I will today. Thanks.” Ben poured himself a mug of the rich brown brew. Normally he drank his herbal tea, but he wanted to show JR that he appreciated everything she had done to get breakfast ready.

“Is Dad up?”

“He was in the shower when I came down.”

“Oh.”

“JR, I want to thank you for doing all this. I know you’re making an effort and I promise I am too.”

JR shrugged her shoulders. “I know you are,” she sighed. “I just wish we didn’t have to try so hard.”

“We got so far off track that I think we’ll have to make an effort until we start to trust each other again,” Ben said sadly.

JR studied her father. She knew he was right. Somehow it made it very real to hear him express that. Trust had been lost. She had felt almost betrayed by the way Ben felt about her. She heaved a heavy sigh.

“I really am sorry, JR. I hope you know that.”

“I do.”

“There’s something else I want to tell you,” Ben added.

“What?”

Michael was part way down the stairs when he heard Ben say this. He stopped and waited. He wanted his husband and his daughter to feel better about each other. Maybe whatever Ben was going to say might cause that to happen. He didn’t want to interrupt.

“I … I asked John to make the log cabin big enough for all of our family. I asked him to add two more bedrooms so you and Hunter can visit at the same time.”

“But … I thought this was supposed to be a little retreat for you and Daddy,” JR said uncertainly. She liked the sound of Ben including her, but she wasn’t sure what this meant in the overall scheme of things. “You realize that when you and Daddy are there for any length of time, I’ll be here running the store.”

“I know that, and the cabin will be a retreat for your Dad and me, but on holiday weekends when the store is closed, like on Labor Day, I thought it would be great if we had a family space where we could all be together. You know, maybe cook a meal together rather than always eating with everybody else.”

“You think Brian will allow it?” JR teased.

“Fuck, Brian!” Ben groused. “Oops, I mean, I’m sure he’ll understand. We’ll be there for the big barbecues and stuff, but we do our own breakfasts, that kind of thing.”

“And you want me to be part of that?”

“Of course I do.”

JR smiled softly. “Thanks.”

“You two sound like you’re getting along better,” Michael announced as he entered the kitchen.

“Morning, Daddy,” JR said kissing his cheek. She dumped her empty bowl in the sink. “I’m just leaving for the store. You and Ben can take as much time for breakfast as you want. I’ll open up and get the day started at the store.”

“Thanks, honeybun,” Michael said with a big grin.

JR made her usual face at Michael’s name for her, and headed out the door.

“Thank you,” Michael said bending down to kiss Ben’s cheek.

“For what?”

“For putting that smile on her face, the one before the grimace when I called her honeybun.”

Ben chuckled. “We’re both trying, you know.”

“That’s a good thing.”

“You know what she told me?” Ben asked.

“What?” Michael said wondering if it was something he had overheard or something else.

“She said she wished we didn’t have to try so hard to be nice to each other and get along.”

“That’s my girl. She says what she thinks.”

“Do you think we will ever get there?” Ben asked.

“If you really want to, you two can get things back the way they used to be. Better even,” Michael predicted.

“I hope you’re right.”

“I know I am.”

“Come here, smarty pants,” Ben said patting his knee. Michael slid into his lap and they shared a tender kiss. “You don’t have to get to work for a while. Want to go back upstairs?” Ben asked with a wink.

“Only if you take me to the diner for a bacon and pancake breakfast when we’re through.”

“You drive a hard bargain,” Ben announced.

“I’m not cheap,” Michael teased.

“You’re just fucking adorable,” Ben said shoving Michael gently off his lap. He took Michael’s hand and they headed back upstairs.

 

*****
 

“Daddy, when is Dada coming home?” Bree asked as she munched on her Cheerios.

“He’s gone to Los Angeles for a few days, and then I think he’s coming home,” Justin said hoping that sounded reassuring to his daughter.

“You think he’s coming home?” Bree demanded. She had picked up on the lack of certainty in Justin’s statement.

“He will be home soon, Bree. He wasn’t sure how many days he needed in Los Angeles. He’ll let us know.”

“Can I talk to him the next time he calls?”

“Certainly, unless you’re at school.”

“Can you tell him I want to talk to him?” Bree requested.

“Sure, I’ll tell him.”

“Good.”

“Is there something specific you want to talk to him about?” Justin asked.

“I need to tell him that I love him and I miss him and I want him to come home soon. He’s been gone too long,” Bree said with a pout. “He should be here. It’s better when he’s here.”

“Yes, it is better when he’s here,” Justin said patting Bree’s blonde head. “I’m sure he misses you too, sweetheart.”

“He better.”

Justin chuckled. He’d be sure to tell Brian that the next time he called.

 

*****
 

John turned and looked at the gate to the lane as it opened. It should have been the school bus to pick up Bree and Patrick, but when John looked at his watch he realized it was about fifteen minutes too early for that. The kids hadn’t come down the lane yet.

As the car entered the lane, John groaned inwardly. It was Debbie and Carl – more people to check up on what he was building for Michael. John swallowed his anger and walked toward the open gate of the fence that surrounded the construction site. The car pulled off to the side of the lane in front of Emmett’s cottage. Carl and Debbie got out.

“You two are up early,” John called to them as they walked across the lane towards him.

“I used to get up before the sun when I was waiting tables,” Debbie declared. “This is like noon to me.”

John laughed out loud. You could always count on Debbie for a comeback, and a good one to boot. “Are you here to check if my work is up to snuff for your son?” John asked.

Debbie snorted. “I wouldn’t presume,” she said. “I know you do top quality work, and I’ve heard about the changes that have been requested.”

“And you have some changes of your own?” John asked.

“Fuck no!” Debbie declared. “I came to make sure that Michael isn’t taking advantage of Brian’s generosity. That boy has been known to get carried away.”

“No shit!” John reacted before he could stop himself.

Debbie let out a cackle as John looked sheepish. “This … log cabin isn’t getting too big, is it?”

“I’m adding a couple of bedrooms in the attic,” John said. “I expanded the foundation a bit to make an enclosed bedroom for Ben and Michael on the main floor.”

“That sounds good, doesn’t it, Carl,” Debbie said.

“Yeah, sounds about right,” Carl agreed.

“Did you want to see the plans?” John asked knowing that everybody else had wanted to see them.

“No thanks. What the fuck do I know about plans?” Debbie demanded. “I trust you, John Anderson, and I know you won’t let me down.”

“Thanks,” John said, and he meant that sincerely.

“Have the kids left for school?” Debbie asked. John shook his head. “Good, I want to see them before they go, and I plan to spend some time with Sunshine. I don’t want him pining away while that asshole brother of yours is away.”

John shook his head and grinned at her. He heard nothing but affection in Debbie’s well chosen words. “You better hurry,” John advised. “The bus should be here in about ten minutes.”

“I’m on it,” Debbie said. She and Carl hurried back to the car. They drove quickly up the lane while John shook his head and smiled.

 

*****
 

Tom and Beau quickly came to the edge of the stream. Tom stopped and looked up and down. John had told him the stream narrowed around here but it didn’t look all that narrow to Tom.

“Now what,” Tom mumbled to himself. Beau just stared up at his temporary master and charge. Tom walked down a few feet then back up the other way. Although the stream was relatively shallow, it was a good ten feet across.

“Oh well,” he murmured as he knelt down to undo his boot laces. Just as Tom was about to pry his foot out of one boot, Beau gave a little tug on his lead. Not used to having a pet, Tom wasn’t quite sure what it meant. He went back to fiddling with his boots when Beau tugged a little harder.

“Okay, I think you’re trying to tell me something but I’m not getting it, Beau. I’m sorry I’m not as smart as Bree. She seems to always know what you mean,” Tom apologized to the big dog.

“Woof!” came the response along with another tug on the leash.

“Why do I have an overwhelming need to ask if Timmy’s in the well?” Tom joked. Beau gave Tom an indulgent look then sat, waiting. “I get it, I’m an idiot. And you probably get that Timmy in the well thing a lot. Give me a minute to fix my boot and I’m all yours,” Tom told the dog. Beau patiently waited.

“Okay, lead on McRuff,” Tom said. He snorted, laughing at himself thinking he either lost his mind or was hanging around Brian too much or both. Beau stood and led the way further upstream. Ten minutes later they had come to a point in the stream where it was about three feet wide and there were many large flat stones that Tom could safely use as a bridge across.

“Well, duh!” Tom declared as he popped himself in the forehead then gingerly followed Beau across. “Thank you, Beau,” Tom said as he bent over to pat the dog’s head. “You are just as special as the rest of the people who live on this lane, aren’t you?” Beau agreed and gave Tom a lick to his cheek. Tom laughed then stood up.

“Where should we go now?” he asked, seemingly awaiting Beau’s response. Beau gave another tug. “You’re the boss; who am I to argue?” Tom dutifully followed.
 

*****
 

They had walked about forty-five minutes when they came to an old lean-to that had seen better days. “What is this?” Tom muttered as he examined the structure which was really just a few boards nailed together to comprise the walls and a few more that made a bit of a roof. “Maybe it’s what’s left of a hunter’s blind,” Tom speculated.

“It certainly hasn’t been used in years,” Tom observed. Suddenly getting a feeling of dread, Tom stopped walking and commanded Beau to sit. Beau sat, sensing that his charge was worried about something. “Don’t move, Beau,” Tom begged as he dropped the leash then gingerly walked back from where they approached the lean-to, following his same path in reverse. Near a tree, Tom found a fallen branch. Testing its strength against the ground, Tom used the branch as a walking stick and for making sure he and Beau weren’t about to step into an old trap. Tom walked back to Beau, picked up the leash and wound it around his hand a couple of times making sure Beau was at heel.

“Forgive me, boy. It would kill me if anything happened to you while you’re out here taking care of me,” Tom said to the dog. Beau gave a woof of understanding and the two of them slowly and carefully continued their exploration of the woods.

Sometime later, they came to a clearing, not unlike the clearing near the thinking rock by the Edna’s Treasures stream. The trees appeared to thin out, letting the sunlight filter down. A few stubborn wildflowers were still in bloom.

“Beautiful,” Tom stated as he looked around, testing the grass with his stick. Finding an outcropping of boulders, Tom took off his pack then sat with his back resting against the rocks. “I think this is a good place for lunch. What do you say, Beau?” Beau barked in agreement then lay down next to Tom. “Hmm, now let’s see what we have in here,” Tom said to himself as he opened his pack. He took out a sandwich for himself and a bottle of water. He also took out a small plastic bowl and another bottle of water. Tom poured the water in the bowl for Beau who stood to take his drink. Tom and Beau rested in the clearing, communing with the nature around them for the next hour.

 

*****
 

“What’s wrong with you?” Justin asked Bobby who had been pacing back and forth in the sun porch. Justin had been quietly painting a few more glass panels for the cabin. Bobby’s pacing was making Justin nervous.

“He’s been gone for hours,” Bobby muttered as he continued to pace the porch.

“Who?” Justin growled, slightly annoyed.

“Tom,” Bobby snapped.

“Where did he go?” Justin asked gently so not to aggravate Bobby further.

“Tom decided to go on a pilgrimage into the woods.”

“Bobby, we’ve been living here for years and I have never walked into the woods,” Justin exclaimed. “Is he alone?”

“Yes. No. He’s with Beau and John gave him a radio,” Bobby said as he pointed to the matching radio on his belt.

“Is he still in range?” Justin asked.

“Good question,” Bobby said as he removed the radio from his belt. “Tom, can you hear me?” Bobby asked as he depressed the button. He exchanged a worried look with Justin when he got no response. “Tom?” Bobby asked again, getting more worried.

“Give me that,” Justin demanded as he took the radio out of Bobby’s hand then walked out into the garden with Bobby following. “Father Tom, can you hear me?” Justin nearly shouted into the radio.

“Justin?” came a staticy reply. “Justin, is that you?”

“Yes,” Justin said very relieved. Bobby took the radio back.

“Tom, is everything all right? You’ve been gone a long time,” Bobby said.

“We’re fine. We’re just finishing up lunch,” they heard Tom say.

“Don’t you think it’s time to come back?” Bobby asked. Both he and Justin held their breath awaiting Tom’s reply.

“I guess so but I’d like to come back tomorrow,” Tom said with some conviction.

“Sure, but I think you’ve had enough for one day,” Bobby said knowing that he was stepping over a line.

“Perhaps, you’re right. I’ll consult my guide and get back to you,” they heard Tom say.

“Guide?” Justin whispered to Bobby. Bobby just shrugged his shoulders.

“You do that and we’ll see you later,” Bobby said into the radio. He heard a couple of clicks and then nothing.

“What the hell was that?” Justin asked.

“Not a fucking clue,” Bobby replied as he stared dumbfounded at the radio in his hand as if hoping it would reveal its secrets. “But the next time your partner decides to invite a guest to the lane, he better be around to babysit!” Bobby spat out then stomped out of the garden and towards the construction site.

Justin wisely said nothing as the fiery red-head stormed away.

 

*****
 

“I think I may have angered Bobby,” Tom said to Beau who just looked at Tom with soulful brown eyes. “Maybe he’s right, we should get back.” Tom looked at his watch, it was after three. He didn’t think he was out for that long or walked that far. They had just been going slowly. But it gave Tom time to think.

“You know, Beau, I’d like to come out here again tomorrow. Do you think you can come with me? I do feel a lot safer with you here,” Tom admitted. Beau graced Tom with a doggy smile then gave a bark.

“Okay, time to go.” Tom packed up his trash and Beau’s bowl then stood to look around. “Um, which way is home?” Tom asked out loud. Beau barked, wagging his tail and gave a little tug on his leash. “Oh, right, you’re the boss. But slowly and carefully, okay?” Tom said. Beau wagged his tail and then the two of them started back toward the lane.

 

*****
 

“You got a minute?” Bobby asked John who was reviewing the modified plans while sipping a cup of coffee.

“Yeah, sure,” John replied without looking up from the blueprints.

“John, that crazy priest is roaming the woods,” Bobby announced with exasperation.

“Yeah, and…? Isn’t that what he wanted to do? Take a walk in the woods. Beau’s with him and he has a radio. What kind of trouble do you think he’s going to get into out there?”

“I don’t know! Get eaten by a bear? Fall down a well? Get attacked by killer bees! How the hell should I know? I grew up in a small town and even I know you shouldn’t be traipsing through woods that you don’t know. He’s a city boy, what the fuck would he know if a wolf was going to attack,” Bobby exaggerated making John burst out laughing. John knew he made a mistake when Bobby’s face turned as red as his hair.

John coughed a few times, getting himself under control. “Bobby, in the first place, Beau would not let anything happen to Tom. Secondly, I know what’s out there. There are no wolves, bears or killer bees. And there’s no well. When Brian first brought me here to inspect what little there was of the cottage, I decided to get the land survey maps for a fifty mile radius around the lane. I was just curious. And then we started to expand, so the maps came in handy. Except for a few old hunter’s blinds and lean-tos, there’s really nothing out there.” John gingerly placed his hands on Bobby’s shoulders trying to calm him. “Tom will be fine,” John assured his spouse.

“You’re sure?” Bobby asked.

“I swear I wouldn’t send a city boy out into a hostile environment,” John said as he held up one hand in the air. Bobby nodded as he let all his anger dissipate.

“Killer bees?” John asked after a few minutes, straining to hold back his laughter. Bobby burst out laughing as did John. Still chuckling, Bobby leaned up to peck John’s mouth then walked back to the cottage.
 

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