Cottages

Chapter 11

“Daddy, what’s a cornercopia?” Bree asked.

“It’s corn-u-copia, sweetheart.”

“Cornucopia,” Bree repeated. “What is it?”

“That’s what you’ll find out at camp today,” Justin said as he drove his daughter out to Camp Little Flowers. Justin had agreed to drive Bree to the morning session that the camp was offering for Thanksgiving. He had read the activities to Bree before they left the house. There would be a history of Thanksgiving and a chance to re-enact some of the Pilgrims’ first year in the New World, and then they would make either a cornucopia or a wreath for the upcoming holiday. Patrick had decided he was too old for such activities and had chosen to spend his Saturday morning at home.

“Should I make that or a wreath?” Bree asked.

“I think you should wait and see what they tell you about them, and then you can decide.”

“Okay, Daddy. Are you sure Ashley is going to be there?”

“Yes,” Justin said, knowing that Brian had arranged for a major discount for the little girl, with the explanation that she had received a scholarship for camp and it included two sessions of the special weekend mini-camps as well. Brian wasn’t sure how long he could continue this ruse, but he knew how Bree loved to do things with Ashley, so the scam was worth it for now.

“Maybe Ashley will know what we should make,” Bree said with a sigh.

“Whatever you decide to make will be just fine, sweetheart.”

“Yeah, whatever,” Bree replied with just the right inflection on the word.

“What did you just say?” Justin asked with a frown.

“I said ‘whatever’. Why?”

“Where did you learn to say that?”

“I heard some big girls at school.”

“I really don’t like that expression, Bree. I don’t want you using it.”

Bree frowned. Her father rarely corrected her like that. She knew ‘whatever’ wasn’t a bad word. She didn’t understand why she shouldn’t say it. “What’s wrong with it, Daddy?”

“It’s rude.”

“It is?”

“Yes, it sounds like you don’t believe what the person has just told you.”

“Oh.”

“So please don’t use it again.”

“’Kay, Daddy,” Bree replied, but she filed the word away, knowing that it might come in handy at some point in the future.

“Here we are,” Justin said as he pulled the SUV up in front of the camp. He shut off the engine and got out to help Bree out of her booster seat.

“Bree! Bree! You’re here,” Ashley shrieked as she ran over to the car.

Bree and Ashley hugged and bounced up and down with glee at seeing each other. It didn’t seem to matter that they had spent the previous day at school together. Justin smiled as he watched the girls.

“Mr. Taylor,” a voice said from behind him.

“Hi, Cassie,” Justin smiled. “Are you helping with the mini-camp?”

Cassie nodded and checked off Bree’s name on her clipboard. “I’m happy to see you again, Bree. Are you ready to learn all about Thanksgiving?”

“Yes!” Bree and Ashley replied.

“Then let’s go,” Cassie, said before ushering the girls inside.

Justin got back into the SUV and pulled out his cell phone. “Brian, I’m going to go into Harrisburg and pick up a few art supplies. Do you need anything? Okay, I’ll get some more milk and a couple of loaves of bread. You remember you’re picking Bree up at noon. I’ll be home soon, and I have a great idea for my new painting. Okay, bye.” Justin shut his cell phone and started the car.

 

*****
 

“Hey, Bree,” Winona said as Bree and Ashley came into the large room that the camp used for presentations and group activities.

“Hi, Winona,” Bree said.

“I never see you at school,” Winona complained.

“She’s in a special class,” Ashley informed the older girl.

“That’s because you’re special,” Winona laughed.

Bree frowned. “Yeah, I guess so.”

“Are you making a wreath or a cornucopia?” Winona asked.

“I don’t know yet. My Daddy told me to wait and see what they said about them before I decided.”

“I’m making a wreath,” Winona declared. “You should make one too.”

“I don’t know,” Bree said.

“Cornucopias are stupid.”

“Are not.”

“Are so.”

“Don’t fight, you two. Wait and see,” Ashley said wisely. And thankfully the session was ready to begin before the girls could get into it any further.

 

*****
 

Brian walked into the big room at Camp Little Flowers. The children were gathering up their creations as the session had just finished. A couple of other parents were standing at the back waiting.

“There’s your Dada,” Winona said elbowing Bree in the ribs. She looked with awe at Brian Kinney.

“Hi, Dada,” Bree called, and then waved at her father. He waved back.

“Your father is so handsome,” Winona whispered staring at Brian Kinney.

“Both my fathers are handsome,” Bree said decisively. She picked up the woven horn shaped thing she had made.

“I like your Dada the best.”

Bree frowned. “I love both my fathers the same. Bye, Winona.”

“Bye, Bree. Hello, Mr. Kinney,” Winona said as she passed Bree’s father on the way to meet her mother.

“Winona,” Brian said with a smirk, as the girl batted her eyelashes at him. “What have you got there, Squirt?”

“I made this, Dada,” Bree told him. “It’s a corn-u-copia.”

“That it is.” Brian took it from her. “What did you make, Ashley?”

“I made a wreath,” Ashley said proudly. She held up a slightly misshapen circle of autumn leaves and maize.

“Nice,” Brian said as they headed out to the SUV. Brian was going to drop off Ashley at her home.

“Bye, Mr. Kinney,” Winona called as she got into a car with a woman who must be her mother.

“Winona thinks you’re handsome, Dada,” Bree said as she got strapped in.

“Winona has discriminating taste,” Brian replied, tongue in cheek. He strapped Ashley into Patrick’s old booster sheet.

“I think you’re handsome too,” Ashley informed him.

“He’ll get a swelled head,” Bree stated parroting something she had heard her other father say many times.

Brian laughed at the miniature version of Justin who was his daughter. “Let’s get this show on the road.”

 

*****
 

Some time later Brian opened the front door of Edna’s Treasures and Bree ran inside carrying her cornucopia.

“Daddy! Daddy! Look what I made,” Bree said holding up her creation to her father.

Justin took the crudely woven horn of plenty and examined it with interest. “I think we should have this on our table for Thanksgiving. We can fill it with corn and gourds and fruit.”

“That’s what Cassie said,” Bree replied proudly. “I want to show Patrick.”

She grabbed her treasure from her father and ran to the other side of Edna’s Treasures.

“Thanks for picking her and Ashley up,” Justin said. “I got a lot done on my new painting.”

“No problem,” Brian replied. “In fact it was a major boost for my ego. I have a new fan club,” Brian smirked.

“Huh?”

“Ashley and Winona both think I’m hot.”

“Aren’t they a little young for you?” Justin laughed.

“They are both ladies of impeccable taste.”

“Of course,” Justin agreed stifling another laugh. “I can’t fault their taste.”

Brian grinned as Justin walked into his arms and they hugged in total agreement about Brian’s hotness.

 

*****
 

“Hey, big bro, whatcha doin’ out here all by your lonesome?” Brian drawled as he saw John come from the path that led to the stream.

Brian was checking over the late Fall garden. He had spent several days cutting back all the old and dead flowers. Even the Fall mums had faded in the last of the Fall sun. The only new plants were the ornamental cabbages with their large full heads of red, green, purple, blue and pink thick leaves. He had spent time at Molly’s getaway and at Muncherville arranging and planting the hardy plants as well.

“I was a-sittin’ and a-thinkin’,” John carried on in a like fashion.

“Come to any conclusions?”

“Yes, first I’ve decided to pursue my doctorate in architecture. I know I don’t need it and I have no idea what I’ll do with it but the idea intrigues me. And plus there’s all this information I’ve been gathering on cottages and my theories regarding their appeal. I’d rather not see that go to waste.”

“Good decision, not that my opinion matters.”

“Of course it matters. And I’ve also decided that I’m an idiot.”

Brian laughed at his brother’s forlorn expression. “And why do you think that?”

“Because I didn’t realize how close we are to Thanksgiving and I’m afraid to ask Bobby what we’re doing this year.” John was very contrite.

“Aww, my poor unaware and living in his own widdle world big brother.”

“I can still take to you, Kinney,” John growled trying to look fearsome...and failing. Brian laughed louder.

“Let’s take at walk down to Emmett’s. I’m going to raise the thermostat for the furnace and water heater. The lovebirds will be here in a day or two.”

“What about Molly’s place?”

“We’ll hit it on the way back.”

“So I guess that means they’ll be here for Thanksgiving?” John asked hopefully and able to take the hint.

“Correct, big bro. The Brenners, with the Sarah Kingsley, the new Harris’, Joan and the Taylors,” Brian sneered at the thought of Craig coming, “will all be joining us.”

“What about the girls?”

“Yes, the lovely munchers will be joining us for dinner. However I get the distinct impression they’ll be enjoying dessert on their own at their lovenest.” Both Brian and John shuddered.

“And the kids?”

"Gus is coming home, of course."

"Of course. Are he and JR going to stay here or at the lovenest? Patrick and Bree love it when they both stay over."

"I'm not sure yet. I'm sure they'll figure it out."

“I can’t get over how well they all get along.”

“Probably because they’re not in each other’s faces all day long, but whatever the reason, it will all work out. My only concern is the sleeping arrangements.”

“Sleeping arrangements? Please don’t tell me I have to put up with Sarah’s snobbery and Craig’s phobia regarding all things gay.”

“No, I don’t think it’ll come to that. We’re eating early so I hope that means they’ll all amscray early. But Jennifer and Seth may want to stay and since Joan is coming with them...”

“That shouldn’t be a problem, but you’re still worried.”

“Craig.”

“Craig?”

“Yeah, him, the bastard son of a bitch who just happens to be Bree’s grandfather, and she loves him. I have a feeling Bree will convince her Gampa to stay. Can you see him and Susan in the brass bed or up in the office?”

“You could let them use your room,” John said with an evil grin as they walked down the lane. Brian burst out laughing. "And can you imagine his face when Emmett bursts through the door the next morning with his big, 'hellooo.'" They both laughed at that.

“Oh, yeah, he’ll be so afraid that gay is catching. So, I’m being ridiculous?”

“No, but don’t lose any sleep over it. It’ll all work out. It always does. Hey, what about my mother and Bobby’s?”

“Your family will be here too. Rachel will put them up for the night.”

“Are you sad about not having Debbie and the other half of Pittsburgh show up on our doorstep?”

“A little but then Debbie threatened to invade for Christmas before she and Carl drive off to find the sun.”

“They’ve really taken to that big monster of a mobile home, haven’t they?”

“Yes, thanks the gods. I had to work my ass off to pay for that thing and the insurance on it...”

“Brian, why are you shouldering the costs for it alone?” John’s tone was very serious.

“Down boy, I’m not. Unbeknownst to moi, the guys set up their own Debbie and Carl retirement fund.”

“All of them?”

“All of them, and some of Debbie’s old regulars from the diner when they got wind of what we were doing. Teddy’s in charge of it. Like clock work, someone gives him money for gas or pays the insurance for a month or two. The guys have got it covered. Even the girls have donated. Debbie has been our mother for a very long time. She took most of us in at one time or another. We all owe her, me especially.”

John remained quiet for a while. He knew such revelations from his brother were few and far between. John respected Brian’s courage.

Quietly, the brothers inspected Emmett and Drew’s home. It had been close to two months since it was lived in. John gave the furnace and water heater the once over before slowly raising the thermostat a few degrees. He also made sure there were plenty of logs for the fireplace. Emmett and Drew were going to have the place to themselves this holiday. John could imagine a lot of fireside lovemaking. He smiled.

“You look like the cat who got the cream,” Brian snarked.

“The boys will have the cottage to themselves,” John said as he prepared the hearth and firebox.

“Ah.” Brian shuddered again. “It’s going to take a lot of work on Justin’s part to get that image out of my head.” It was John’s turn to laugh. “We done here?”

“Yes. Let’s go check Molly’s getaway,” John said as they closed up Emmett’s dream house then proceeded toward Molly’s cottage.

“Did I ever properly thank you for supervising the landscaping for all the cottages?” John asked as they approached the tiny home.

Brian nodded. His reward for what seemed to him his insignificant contribution was John’s continued confidence in him and his love. Brian could never truly explain what that meant to him. Brian gently kicked a small pebble off the path and into the garden where it belonged before they both wiped their feet on the welcome mat then entered Molly’s little getaway.

“This is so beautiful,” Brian whispered almost reverently. “So quaint yet modern at the same time.” Brian reached out to touch the mural Justin had painted on the main wall of the entryway which was also the main living space. It connected the kitchen area to the bedrooms. As promised the walls were painted a light sage. Justin had painted a trompe l’oeil effect of wisteria and lilac trees. It brought the garden into the cottage where it would remain Spring and Summer throughout the year.

“Justin outdid himself.”

“You all did. Did he do anything for the girls?”

“No, we kept the walls plain. The girls need to work that out for themselves,” John said wisely and Brian agreed. They both did not want to say what was on their minds, that Muncherville was the last hope for the girls’ marriage.

Brian looked over the big pot belly stove that was situated near a grouping of plush sofas as John raised the thermostat and finished his inspection.

“I’m going over to the girls’ place; want to come with me?” Brian nodded and they walked back to Edna’s Treasures to get John’s SUV.

Edna’s Treasures was experiencing a very quiet Sunday. Justin and Bobby were sitting in Bobby’s kitchen going over the menu for Thanksgiving. Emmett was on the speaker phone commenting frequently and making the guys laugh. Bree and Patrick were also enjoying the afternoon. Patrick enjoyed reading out loud. Briana enjoyed listening. The two were curled up on top of her princess bed surrounded by piles of books.

John and Brian quietly sauntered through the cottage reveling in their blessings. They let their families know where they were going and then headed out.

“Ya know something, Kinney?” John began as he hit the remote that was attached to his sun visor. The wrought iron gate swung open so John could drive out, after a moment the gate swung closed.

“What?”

“We’re two lucky dudes,” John stated as fact.

“Yeah, we are,” Brian agreed as he watched the countryside go by on their way to the girls’ new cottage.

 

*****
 

“You make miracles, big bro,” Brian exclaimed as they pulled up to the renovated cottage.

“You’ve worked a few yourself, little bro.”

"Nothing compared to what you’ve done. This place was about to cave in on itself before you got to it.”

“I had a little help,” John commented as he parked, turned off the ignition and got out.

“You know what I mean,” Brian grumbled. “And you question why anyone would want to live in a place like this? This is a palace.”

“Hardly but I’ll pass along your compliments to my crew. You know they like to show off their work to their spouses. You’ve gotten many compliments yourself about the garden. You have a whole new career path ahead of you when you retire from Kinnetik. I can see it now, Kinney Landscaping, ‘have trowel, will travel’,” John teased. Brian said nothing but blushed then followed his brother inside.

The walls were bare, a light beige in color and there wasn’t yet any evidence that the cottage was a home except for the furniture that had been delivered and unwrapped. A few essential appliances were on the kitchen counter and the cupboards were stocked with a few non-perishable staples. The cottage in the middle of nowhere was waiting for its family to make it a home.

“It’s like it hasn’t come fully to life yet,” Brian commented as he stood in the middle of the living room, his intense hazel eyes sweeping the room.

“It will, soon,” John reassured him. “Let me show you the studio,” John said proudly. They walked through the cottage until they reached the back.

“She’s going to cream her panties when she sees this,” Brian said a bit crudely as they stepped through into the studio sun porch. It was a miniature version of their own, glass enclosed, a small door leading toward the path to the stream and grotto, a small ceiling light with fan, a slop sink in the corner and small closet for the artist’s supplies.

On the wall that connected the porch to the house was another doorway which led to Mel’s den. It had a big bright window to let in the light as well as an unobstructed view of the porch. The girls could indulge in their individual pursuits and yet still be together.

Again the office was pretty bare except for a big old oak desk with a large leather chair and a bright brand new loveseat just under the window. Brian looked back and forth at the two then gazed questioningly at his brother.

“Apparently the desk and chair belonged to Mel’s grandfather. He too was a lawyer and he inspired her to consider the law as a career. When he retired, Mel begged him to keep the desk and chair for her. He kept it in storage for years until he passed and by then Melanie had the money to pay for the storage on her own. But she never had the right place to put them,” John explained.

“Until now,” Brian murmured as he caressed the solid oak and highly polished desk. The chair had been reupholstered but that didn’t detract from its classical appearance.

“Until now,” John repeated. “I’ll turn up the heat a little and check on the wood supply. You want to check on the garden and the grotto?” Brian nodded and the two went to complete their chores. After a little while the brothers met up at John’s Navigator.

“All set?” John asked.

“Yeah.”

“Does it meet with your approval?”

“It does. And if they don’t do it justice, I’m going to beat them both then buy the place myself.”

“And just what are you going to do with two cottages?” John asked, chuckling.

“I don’t know,” Brian said as he crossed his arms over his chest in a huff a la Mikey. “But I’ll figure something out.”

“I have no doubt about that,” John said softly as he drove them back to Edna’s Treasures. “No doubt at all.”
 

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