Little Cabin on the Lane

Chapter 11

 

“Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!” Bree yelled as she burst through the front door of Edna’s Treasures.

“Out here, sweetheart,” Justin called from the sun porch where he was still painting up a storm.

“Daddy, Daddy,” Bree gushed throwing herself into his arms, paint or no paint.

“What’s going on? What’s got you so excited?” Justin asked.

“Oh Daddy, my teacher said I can be the grade rep-re-sentative for the assembly at school. Isn’t that great?”

“Um, what does that mean exactly?” Justin asked, not at all clear about what Bree was trying to tell him.

“We’ve all been saying speeches about other countries and our summer vacations and I did Canada coz I went to Canada this summer and nobody else did and my teacher liked my speech and so did the other kids and they’re only picking one person for each grade to say their speech at the next school assembly and that’s me.” Bree’s face was covered in a huge smile as she finally took a breath.

“Wow!” Justin reacted with his own smile. “Why is this the first I’m hearing about this?”

“We had to do the speech ex-temp-aneously,” Bree said seriously. “I did mine a couple of days ago, but the teacher had to wait till everyone had done a speech.”

“Do you know what extemporaneously means?” Justin carefully pronounced the word so that Bree could get it right the next time she used it.

“Sure I do, Daddy. It means without preparation.”

“So what did you talk about?”

Bree heaved a sigh. “I told you – Canada,” she said impatiently.

“I got that,” Justin chuckled. “But what I want to know is what you said about Canada?”

“Do you want me to say my speech for you?” Bree asked.

Bobby and Patrick had appeared in the doorway of the sun porch and were listening to Bree’s enthusiastic description of the events of the day.

“Why don’t we get something to drink and maybe a snack for you and Patrick before we hear your speech,” Justin suggested.

“Hey, what about me?” Bobby interjected. “I could use a snack.”

Justin laughed. “Okay, big guy, you can have a snack too.” Bobby just grinned at him. “Come on, everyone, let’s see what we can find in the fridge.”

They all made their way into the kitchen where Justin checked the refrigerator and advised Bobby about potential snacks. Bobby made some crackers and cheese while Justin cleaned up. He was still covered with dabs of paint from his work in the sun porch. The children sat at the table with their glasses of juice while they waited for their snacks.

“Okay,” Justin said as he sat down and grabbed a piece of cheese. “Give us your speech, Bree.”

Bree cleared her throat, swallowed and took a drink of her juice. “I don’t have a memorized speech,” Bree explained. “I just talked about my trip to Toronto.”

“We know that, sweetheart,” Justin encouraged her. “So, tell us what you told your class.”

“Yeah, Bree, you can do it,” Patrick said.

Bree cleared her throat again then decided to stand up to present her speech. “This summer I went to Toronto with my parents,” she began. “I really liked Canada. I found that it is a lot like Pennsylvania. My Dada says that one big city is pretty much like any other. I would agree. And the people who live there are real nice, most of them. We met some very nice people like Mr. Rudolph, the maitre d’ at our hotel. The lady at Daddy’s art gallery was very helpful, and I liked her a lot once I got to know her. It was interesting how first impressions of people can be wrong. I didn’t like the art gallery lady at first, but she turned out to be great. I met a boy that I liked a lot and he turned out to be awful. You should get to know people before you judge them, because it’s easy to be wrong.

“We saw many good things in Canada. The CN Tower is very high and Niagara Falls is awesome. If you get the chance, you should visit Canada.”

Justin, Bobby and Patrick gave Bree a round of applause and she curtsied her thanks.

“That was a very perceptive speech,” Bobby said. “You are a very mature young lady.”

“Thanks, Uncle Bobby,” Bree said with a big smile.

“You made me want to go to Canada,” Patrick advised his cousin.

Bree smiled at him and nodded.

“That was a very unusual way to present your topic,” Justin said. Bree looked questioningly at her father. She had expected praise. “I thought you would have spent more time talking about what you saw, but you chose to talk more about the people you met.”

“I know, Daddy,” Bree said apprehensively. “They’re what I remember most. I could have talked about Mr. Waldon too. He treated me real nice.”

“I bet the fact that you talked about people and the similarities between our two countries is part of the reason you got chosen. Well done, Baby Girl,” Justin said.

Bree ran into his arms for a warm hug. “I’m glad you liked it, Daddy. I thought you didn’t like it … at first.”

“Don’t you know I like everything you do?” Justin asked with a big smile.

“I know, but if it’s not right, you tell me.”

“That’s true,” Justin agreed.

“But you really liked it?” Bree asked.

“I did.”

“Can we call Dada and tell him? Maybe he’ll be home before I have to say it at the assembly. Parents can come,” Bree said hopefully.

Justin looked at his watch. “It’s early afternoon in LA,” he said. “Brian might be in a meeting. We should wait a while.”

Bree’s face fell. “Okay,” she agreed reluctantly.

“Sit down and have your snack,” Justin advised. “We’ll call Dada tonight.”

“’Kay,” Bree said sitting back down and grabbing a piece of cheese and a cracker.

There was an uncomfortable silence as each of them thought about Brian so far away, and the call that couldn’t be made until later. They all knew Brian would be pleased for his daughter.

“Who’s the representative for these speeches from your grade, Patrick?” Bobby asked.

“Um…”

Bobby frowned. “It’s okay that it’s not you,” Bobby said trying to be encouraging. “I just wondered if we knew whoever it was.”

“You know him,” Patrick said with a grin. “It’s me!”

“You? But why didn’t you say anything?”

“Bree was so excited. I didn’t want to spoil it for her.”

“Oh, my Patrick!” Bree cried. “You should have told me. That’s great. Sorry I took all the attention.”

“That’s okay. I didn’t mind,” Patrick said with a warm smile for his cousin.

“What did you do your speech about?” Bobby asked. “We didn’t go anywhere this summer.”

“I talked about going to England. I loved all the architecture over there.”

“Just like your Dad.”

“Yeah,” Patrick smiled. “I talked about Salisbury Cathedral and Bath and Westminster Abbey and Big Ben. I loved all those buildings. And I ended by saying that I wanted to be an architect and build something memorable like Stonehenge.”

“That’s terrific, Patrick,” Bobby said pulling his son into a hug. “I’m very proud of you.”

“Thanks, Poppa.”

“I guess you didn’t mention my ‘Henge,” Justin supplied with a grin.

“No, Uncle Justin, I’m sorry I didn’t.”

“Don’t be sorry. I’m teasing.”

“Oh … good.”

“And I’m very proud of you too, Patrick. We’ll all have to be sure to be at that assembly,” Justin added.

“Can we call Dada now?” Bree asked.

“It’s only been ten minutes.”

“I want to talk to him,” Bree persisted.

“Okay, I’m sure he would want to hear all this good news,” Justin said pulling out his cell phone. He hit the speed dial and waited.

“Justin, what’s wrong?” Brian’s voice asked when he came on.

“Nothing’s wrong. We have some good news. If this isn’t a good time, we can call later.”

“I’m always available for good news,” Brian said. “Fuck the meeting!”

Justin laughed before saying,” I’ll let Bree tell you.” He handed the phone to his daughter.

Bree immediately launched into her enthusiastic account of what happened to her and to Patrick and how much she wanted her Dada to be there when she said her speech for the school. She barely managed to breathe and never gave her father a chance to interrupt until she was done.

“So can you come?” Bree finally asked.

“I always come. I promise to be home the day before your speech, Squirt.”

“Oh thank you, Dada.”

“I wouldn’t miss your speech for the world … or Patrick’s. Be sure to tell him that.”

“I will.”

“Love you, Squirt. I need to get back to my meeting. Tell Daddy I’ll call him tonight.”

“I will, Dada. Love you.”

Bree closed the connection and sat back in her chair with a satisfied smile. “He said he’d be here.”

“And Brian Kinney always keeps his promises,” Bobby said.

“And hallelujah that he does,” Justin added.

 

*****
 

Tom sat on the edge of the pond in the greenhouse contemplating life. It was early in the morning and he was packed for his trek back into the woods. There was something magical about the land beyond the little stream; it seemed to call to Tom. He was wondering if John would allow him to borrow Beau again when Todd entered the greenhouse.

"Good morning," Todd said with a smile as he approached the pond. "You're up early."

"I could say the same about you."

"I'm used to being up with the birds. Especially in the summer months, it makes sense to start out before the heat becomes too oppressive. Why are you up so early if you don't mind me asking?"

"Like you, I'm used to being up and about early. Early morning prayers, six o'clock mass, first confession; a priest usually gets up with the birds."

Todd nodded. "What's the backpack for? Planning on a trip?"

"As a matter of fact I am. I found a small glade in the woods just beyond the stream. I’m heading back out there. I was waiting for the noise to settle before asking John if I can take Beau with me. He came with me yesterday and did a great job of keeping me out of trouble," Tom said with a chuckle.

"Beau is a great dog," Todd agreed. "Waiting for the noise to settle?"

"The trucks. I'm waiting for the crew to calm down before I go to the site. John and the family have been very patient with me. I don't want to anger them or get in the way."

"I don't think you could ever get in the way," Todd assured Tom.

"Thank you for saying that." Tom gave Todd a handsome smile. Todd felt his insides twitch for a moment. Tom felt it too. He cleared his throat. "I guess I should get going," Tom declared as he picked up his pack.

"Would you like some company? Of the human kind," Todd said with a grin.

"I would like that very much, but am I taking you away from your work?"

"Not at all. Today I'm Todd, the boss who has a day off. To be honest I was hoping to spend the day with you. I'm still fairly new to the neighborhood and there really isn't anyone I'm close to in Pittsburgh. Pathetic, isn't it."

"No, you're not pathetic, just a hardworking man who has little time for socializing. You've been accepted into the family, haven't you?"

"Yes, Brian and his family have been very generous."

"But…?"

"But?"

"I thought I heard a 'but' in your statement."

"That's me, the butt of a joke." Todd had a pinched expression on his face. "A bad joke that never seems to go away."

"I don't think Brian and his family believe that, especially not Brian. If he did he wouldn't have placed his trust in you. If he didn't believe in you, he would have never allowed you to be a part of his family. You know how protective he is," Tom said as he gently lifted Todd's chin up so that he could look into the man's eyes.

Todd gave Tom a small smile.

"Come on," Tom began. "It's a beautiful day, let's not waste it." Todd's smile became brighter as he followed Tom out of the greenhouse toward the construction site.

"Good morning, gents!" John called out as Tom and Todd approached. "Can I buy you guys a cup of coffee?" John was standing by the snack truck along with several of his crew.

"Sure," Tom replied as he moved closer to the truck. The man in the truck handed down a couple of containers of the hot brew to Tom and Todd. "Thank you," Tom said as did Todd.

"You taking another trip into the woods?" John asked.

"Yes. Now that I know where I'm going, maybe it won't take me the whole day to get there. Todd's volunteered to come with me. But, um..." Tom's face became a little red.

"I think what Tom is trying not to say is that he was still hoping you'd allow Beau to go with us," Todd said with a chuckle and twinkle in his eyes.

John laughed. "Sure, I'll go get his leash," he said. John confirmed that Tom still had the radio and that it worked before he sprinted to his cottage for Beau.

Ten minutes later with additional provisions for Todd, he, Tom and Beau headed for the woods.

 

*****
 

“What is this?” Todd asked as they stood in front of the deteriorating lean-to.

“I’m not sure; maybe a part of an old cabin or a hunter’s blind. It looks pretty old,” Tom said as Todd gingerly walked around the tumble-down shack. “Come on, there’s more to see just through here.” Tom pointed the way. Todd followed.

“This is beautiful,” Todd exclaimed as he looked around the small glade that Tom had discovered the day before. “A perfect place to commune with nature and solve the mysteries of life,” Todd quipped.

“Maybe not all the mysteries of life, but it’s helped me put some things into perspective,” Tom confessed.

“You’ve made some decisions?”

“Yes, I think so. I’ve decided to take a year off.”

“A whole year? Can you afford to do that?”

“Yes. You have to remember that I live at the rectory. I do get a small stipend but I spend very little of it. It’s not like I need a new suit often. When I’m not in uniform, so to speak, I’m in jeans. I can afford the time off. Maybe I’ll take a correspondence course or take up writing.”

“Or painting. I’m sure Justin would give you pointers.”

“Maybe. Or maybe I could build a cabin,” Tom murmured to himself as he sat next to the boulder and stared off back toward the lean-to from where they had come.

“What? Tom, the guys wouldn’t mind you staying here for as long as you need to. Michael and Ben stayed at the big cottage for over six months. There’s no need to build anything.”

“Maybe I want to build something, need to build something. Do something with my hands.” Tom continued to stare off into the distance while Beau and Todd explored the glade.

“Tom, if this is something you need to do then I guess you should discuss it with the guys,” Todd said after a while. He squatted down in front of the man. “Speak with John when we get back and if it won’t compromise your solitary plans, I’d like to volunteer to help. When was the last time you picked up a hammer and nails? Or did any real manual labor?” Todd asked.

“I guess occasionally clearing a stopped up toilet in the rectory doesn’t count,” Tom said with a crooked smile.

“No, it doesn’t. Look, I do run the garden center. I have great people working for me; I’m there because I don’t have a life, so I work. I can take time off to help you build your little cabin in the woods. It won’t have indoor plumbing but if we install a potbelly stove it will be warm enough for you to spend some time out here. I really wouldn’t spend the night, at least not without John’s approval first.”

“Yeah, I guess it wouldn’t look good if I froze to death on their land,” Tom joked.

“Not funny. It does get cold out here in the winter,” Todd admonished Tom in a serious tone.

“Okay, I get it,” Tom said holding up his hands in surrender. “Do you think I’m crazy?”

“Not at all. Does it bother you that I’d like to help?” Todd asked pensively.

Tom gave him a serene smile. “I’d welcome your help. Maybe we’ll both find what we’re looking for.”

“Tom, um…”

“What?” Tom asked as he stared into Todd’s eyes. Todd sat in front of Tom and held out his hands. Tom placed his hands into Todd’s.

“May I kiss you? I mean, I won’t get struck with a lightning bolt if I kiss a priest, will I?”

“No, you won’t and I’m not a priest right now. I’m just Tom.”

“May I kiss you, Tom?” Todd whispered as he leaned closer.

“Please,” Tom whispered back. Todd carefully snaked one hand into Tom’s hair drawing him closer. He gently pressed his lips onto Tom’s. They exchanged a chaste kiss, sighing when they finally parted. They both laughed as they looked up at the clear blue sky. No lightning bolts.

“That felt nice,” Tom admitted, a little sorry for the loss of Todd’s lips against his.

“Yes, it did. I’d like to…I mean I wish…”

“I know, me too, but I think we should leave it for now,” Tom said as he stood then held his hand out for Todd.

“You’re right,” Todd said as he got up. “Let’s go have another look at that old lean-to. I have my phone with me. We can take a few pictures to show John.”

“Great idea,” Tom said as they gathered up their stuff then headed back toward the shack.

 

*****
 

“So let me get this straight,” Brian said into his phone as he stood in the check-in line at the airport.

All of his meetings went well at Perspectives; he and Joseph announced bonuses for the staff. So Brian decided it was time to go home. He booked the first available flight out which was a red-eye.

“Tom found some old shack out beyond the stream past the meadow. He and Todd want to turn it into a small cabin complete with a potbelly stove and an outhouse. Oh, and Tom is going to take a year off and spend it on the lane building said cabin,” Brian said reiterating what he was told by Justin.

“That just about sums it up,” Justin confirmed.

“Did Tom and Todd do the nasty?” Brian said with a slight sneer.

“Not that I’m aware of but I think something happened in the woods.”

“You know it’s not really such a bad thing if those two got together,” Brian said as he approached the ticket desk. “Hold on,” he said as he juggled his bag around to give his ticket to the steward.

“Justin, I have to go. I’ll call you in a few minutes after I go through security. They’re both good men; they both deserve some happiness.”

“You’re being ridiculously romantic again,” Justin said with a gentle chuckle.

“Yeah, well, Todd’s been though shit, and Tom, Tom’s a good friend. I don’t think God would mind if Tom fell in love.”

“Geez, Brian,” Justin said, a little shocked at Brian’s admission. “I miss you,” Justin admitted.

“Miss you too, Sunshine. But I’ll see you in the morning. Later.”

“Later,” Justin replied. He couldn’t wait for his husband to come home.

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