Digging Up The Past
A/N: We already celebrated our Mother's Day here in Ireland back in March but as it is Mother's Day this weekend in many other countries, I just wanted to start posting this short story today in order to wish all the writers and readers on this site a very Happy Mother's Day whether you are a Mother yourself or if you are celebrating with or in some sad cases like my own, remembering the good times you shared with that special person who brought you into the world, my thoughts are with you all on this very Special Day.
Chapter 1
Mike reached up and tipped his fedora back up off his face and blinked as the bright morning sunshine assaulted his newly opened eyes. Sitting himself back up a little straighter from his previous tilted position, he groaned involuntarily as his back muscles protested the position he had been sleeping in and the cramped confined space of his sleeping quarters. Glancing across the front seat of the beige LTD at the young man behind the wheel, Mike saw Steve grin sideways briefly at him before returning his attention to the winding road ahead, the dark sunglasses he was wearing, shading his eyes from view.
"Morning Sunshine ..." Steve said in a light-hearted tone which caused his grin to break into an ever widening smile.
A subdued grunt was the only response from his sleepy companion and Steve laughed when he heard it.
"First lesson of the day. NEVER EVER sleep in a car Buddy boy if you can avoid it. " he grumbled further as he rubbed at his lower back and then at his dodgy knee in quick succession.
"What? That's your only pearl of wisdom on this beautiful Saturday Morning, Mike?" the young man continued teasingly, amused that for once he was getting a rare chance to admonish the older man's sleeping habits and one he fully intended to make the most of for now. "Maybe if you'd gotten a good night's sleep last night like I told you to instead of staying out with the bowling club until the early hours you wouldn't be feeling so unsociable this morning. "
Mike sent an initial scowl sideways at his partner but then his facial expression softened and he began slowly nodding his head in agreement.
"Ok, ok, you're right. I hadn't intended to stay out so late but well ... the guys were shall I say ... ah ... very persuasive. Anyway ... how come you're so bright eyed and bushy tailed this early? Seems to me we're having a bit of a role reversal moment this morning. Normally I'm the bright eyed one and you're the one moaning about your lack of beauty sleep ..."
Another prolonged chuckle broke from the young man at the wheel and he spoke incredulously.
"Bright eyed and bushy tailed? Seriously? "
"Haven't you ever heard that phrase before hotshot?"
Another low chuckle followed before his answer.
"Yeah ... yeah I've heard it but maybe not directly related to me before. "
"Ok ... well I can certainly believe THAT ... but you do seem in good spirits today. What's the deal?"
"That is because I ... unlike you Michael, was in my bed at nine thirty last night and I had a great night's sleep."
Mike looked sideways, his eyebrows lifting in astonishment and disbelief.
"YOU! In bed at nine thirty. And I suppose you expect me to buy that one, do you?"
Steve laughed even louder without taking his eyes off the difficult road conditions of winding bends that lay ahead and the added annoyance of the early morning sun catching his eye line, every so often.
"It's the TRUTH!" Steve stated in a feigned hurt voice.
Mike nodded again skeptically.
"Ok. And ah ... was the reason you were in bed so early last night ok with your early morning departure to pick me up this morning? " Mike threw in casually as he saw Steve's jaw drop and the young Inspector risked a brief sideways shocked look at his older passenger.
"MIKE! Now I'm hurt. For your information, NOT that it's any business of yours exactly, I slept alone last night thank you very much."
Even more taken aback by Steve's sudden serious tone, Mike mellowed slightly and looked suitably admonished.
"Well in that case ... I AM impressed by your early night Buddy Boy. Maybe all those lectures of mine about the necessity of a good night's sleep are finally rubbing off on you after all this time. Sorry ... I didn't mean to assume otherwise."
Hearing Mike's contrite response, Steve's grin widened and he spoke humorously.
"Apology accepted Michael. Well ... we're nearly there and it's only just gone ten o'clock. Hey, I made pretty good time. Not too shabby huh?"
"No, pretty good Buddy Boy. But I ah ... I hope you were observing the speed limits while I was asleep."
Again a feigned hurt expression fell across his face as he swatted across at Mike.
"MIKE! ... I'll have you know I stayed within the safe limits ah ... most of the time anyway but that's another good thing about being in law enforcement. You get to know the hotspots where speed might be a problem." he added while tapping the side of his nose purposefully.
It was Mike's turn to laugh but as they turned the final bend and drove past a road sign indicating the close proximity of Modesto, Mike noticed a sudden but momentary change in his partner's upbeat mood. The down beat expression was quickly disguised by a clearance of his throat as he spoke again enthusiastically, hoping Mike hadn't noticed the sudden change and hoping his sunglasses had disguised most of his visible reaction.
"So Sleepyhead. You need some caffeine to get you back properly to the Land of the Living?"
Mike chuckled but wasn't fooled.
"And just where are you going to find some coffee out here hotshot? You know a place nearby?"
"One step ahead of you for a change Michael." he spoke, a smug grin appearing as he reached down cautiously with one hand, while slowing down slightly, and producing a polystyrene lidded cup from the floor at his feet and handing it carefully sideways to Mike.
Mike took it open mouthed and watched as Steve reached down a second time and produced a paper bag from the floor too and handed that over as well before returning his foot to the accelerator and speeding back up as his two hands returned to the steering wheel.
'I even got those little pastries you like so much."
Mike beamed proudly as he removed the lid off his coffee and drank down a welcome few swallows of the energy filled, jet black elixir. Then balancing the paper bag on his lap, he opened it and picking out a pastry he took a bite and Steve chuckled as he heard the lip smacking noises of appreciation that followed from Mike's lips just afterwards.
"You like those huh?"
" Hmmmm ... Boy they're good. Thanks Buddy boy. Just what the Doctor ordered. But you never said where you got them from."
"Gas station a few miles back while you were sleeping. I filled the tank as well and visited the little boy's room ... " Steve added laughing " ... and you never even budged. "
Mike looked amazed.
"Boy! I must have been out cold alright. Didn't you get something?"
"Yeah ... I ah ... I drank my coffee a while back. "
"You want one of these pastries?"
"No ... no thanks. I'm not hungry yet. "
Mike scowled as he combined that information with the earlier disguised facial expression and finishing his pastry, he watched as the town of Modesto came into view up ahead. He saw Steve fidget in the driver's seat as the young man saw the sight too and he remained silent, wondering if Steve would venture anything else. He didn't have to wait long.
"Ah ... Listen Mike, I ah ... I really appreciate you agreeing to come and help me today on our day off. I guess you could have done with the lie in instead after last night, huh?"
Mike studied the young man who never seemed to take his eyes off the road and swallowing another few mouthfuls of his coffee, he replied enthusiastically.
"No problem Buddy boy. I'm glad you asked me. After last week's escapade, I'm glad you chose to ask for help for the return trip. Are you sure you brought all the stuff you need this time? "
Ah yeah ... I think so. It wouldn't have all fit in my Porsche though with the both of us so thanks for letting us use your car instead."
"No worries. Did you get it all swapped over ok while I was getting myself in gear this morning?"
"Yeah, no problems."
"Oh and did you pack the cooler box and the other bag I left in the hall ?"
"Yeah, they're all in the trunk. What's in those anyway?"
It was Mike's turn to tap the side of his nose secretively.
"Ah ah Buddy boy! That's our surprise picnic lunch for later. You're going to have to wait and see what I brought for your culinary delight."
Steve smiled and drove on but a little bit along the road the LTD veered off left unexpectedly onto a more country type road leaving the town sights behind them as Mike was jostled and rescued his coffee from a certain spillage.
"Hey hotshot! Next time warn me if you're going to make a sudden turn like that will you? I was almost wearing that coffee instead of drinking it." Mike admonished all the while staring at Steve carefully.
Steve reddened slightly as he continued driving, a muttered apology leaving his lips.
"Sorry Mike ..."
Noting a definite change of tone which made the older man slightly nervous he asked curiously.
"What? We don't have to go through town to get there?"
"Well ... we could ... but I prefer to go this way ... "
Steve glanced across at Mike briefly, an unreadable expression on his face as Mike tried to catch what look he held behind the darkened lenses but failed miserably.
"Well ... this looks like a more scenic route anyway Buddy boy. Is this the way you went to it last weekend?"
Steve merely nodded as they drove on in relative silence. This road was decidedly more bumpy than the last one and Steve glanced over anxiously on occasion at Mike who had now finished his coffee and had his arm out the open window, holding onto the roof for dear life.
On one brief glance he caught Mike's eye and definitely went a shade redder.
"Sorry ..." was all he said and Mike wondered what was going on that he would choose a road in such a state over the better road surface into town.
Before long they left the bumpy road and rejoined a better one and Steve visibly relaxed as he saw Mike let go of the roof and stretch a little in his seat. He had hoped Mike was not going to question the last ten minutes of their journey but he frowned behind his glasses as he heard Mike clear his throat and ask his next question.
"What's the deal Buddy boy? Why choose that road over the one into town? Coming to Modesto really makes you uncomfortable, doesn't it? Why is that?"
Steve dry swallowed and kept driving, one hand leaving the wheel to brush through his hair as he carefully thought out his answer. Not feeling up to a lengthy and distressing interrogation, he chose the easiest route.
"What are you talking about Mike?"
Mike grinned, knowing full well what tactics Steve was employing.
"You don't know what I'm talking about huh?" he said noting the wry smile that crossed Steve's face as he heard his words. "Well then let me explain Buddy boy. You know I read people well and not just what they say but all those awkward unspoken words that are there in the silences. "
"Oh yeah? Ok, I'll bite. So what are your sixth senses telling you about me huh?"
Mike sat up straighter rising literally to the challenge.
"Well, seeing all those nuances of yours ..."
"Nuances? Have you been working those crossword puzzles again, Michael?" Steve intervened as a delay tactic, hoping the distraction would put him off his train of thought but Mike just laughed, knowing exactly what he was up to and continued, choosing to ignore the interruption.
"That's right Buddy Boy ... your nuances and the palpable tension that's currently cutting the air in this car like a knife ..."
Steve let out a nervous chuckle and spoke again, trying to sound wildly amused but failing miserably.
"So ah ... what is my palpable tension telling you, huh?"
Mike didn't answer for several seconds, causing Steve to turn briefly to look puzzled at the older man, his raised eyebrows above the glasses the only visible sign that he was feeling anxious about Mike's silence. As Steve's glance met his, Mike spoke sympathetically.
"Well Buddy boy. It's telling me you'd rather be back in San Francisco or anywhere else rather than be here right now. "
Steve's face fell and he stayed staring a little too long at Mike as he turned his attention back to the road just in time to see another car uncomfortably close to their side of the road and he swerved slightly away from it and continued driving, his heavy breathing and the muttered expletive yelled at the other driver, the only two signs of his jangled nerves. Catching Mike's eye he muttered shamefully.
"Sorry about that ... What a clown huh?"
Mike nodded but refused to let the conversation drop.
"Well? Am I right Steve?"
Steve sighed and removing the sunglasses momentarily to wipe the sweat that had built along his brow line away, he then put them back on and spoke more resignedly.
"Yeah ... yeah you're right. But come on Mike. You know my history here. Does my palpable tension really surprise you?"
"No ... No I guess I can't blame you but ... well most people like going " home". I mean you have some good memories here with Harry right? Doesn't that help a little?"
Steve settled back into the driver's seat, starting to feel a little weary and not quite sure if it was from the two hour drive he had just undertaken or the line of questioning that was being forced on him against his will.
"Mike what are you doing?" Steve asked in the same weary sounding way he was feeling.
"What do you mean Steve? I'm just passing the time of day that's all."
"Yeah? Is that all you're doing? Or are you trying to analyze me like one of your case files?"
Steve's tone took Mike by surprise and he muttered apologetically.
"No ... I never intended it to come across like that. I just was curious that's all. Forget I said anything and ... and I'm sorry if my questions were a little too personal, ok? I won't say another word on the subject. I promise."
Mike knew exactly how to play most situations with Steve and had played this time correctly too as he went quiet and saw Steve looking at him sideways for several more seconds before the heartfelt speech came that Mike was expecting.
"Look Mike, Modesto hasn't been my "home" as you put it for a long time and you know what they say? Home is where the heart is right? Well my heart hasn't been here for quite a while either. I just want to get the grave all finished and fixed up and then head straight back to San Francisco before nightfall ... Ok? That's all."
"Fair enough" Mike uttered warmly and then looking around he asked his next question.
"Are we nearly there yet?"
"Yeah, it's just up around the next bend."
Soon they arrived at the two large metal gates that led into the Cemetery. They were gaping open and a man seated in a cabin inside the gate waved them on in. It looked to Mike as if the man inside the cabin had recognized Steve from the previous week but he looked like he was puzzling over the different car he was driving today. As Steve waved his gratitude at the man and drove up the road that ran through the cemetery, Mike chuckled and drew Steve's attention.
"What?"
"Was that same man on the gate last week?"
"Ah yeah ... Yeah I think so. Why?"
"Because he looked like he was wondering where your Porsche went ..." Mike said grinning from ear to ear.
Steve smiled back and continued driving. The cemetery looked like it was fairly large and seemed to extend in a good bit from the main gates. To their left as they drove in was an expanse of newer looking graves and as they came to the middle section, Steve slowed the car to a standstill and wound down the driver's window fully. Mike never said anything but watched as the young man gazed out at the graves in the distance. Feeling that he had pried enough into Steve's past for one day he waited patiently and his patience was rewarded as Steve finally pointed out the window and spoke casually.
"My Grandmother and Harry's grave is over there about five rows in. Just behind where that large stone cross stands ... "
After a further few minutes where Mike watched Steve's unwavering gaze, the older man felt the need to speak.
"You ah ... want to check that one out first?"
That question drew Steve from his thoughts and he sat back up straight and answered as he restarted the car and pulled away again.
"No ... We can take a look at that one on the way out later. There wasn't as much of a clean up needed on that one so it should still be ok from last week."
They drove on further and left the newer section and came to the furthest section of the Cemetery where Steve pulled in to the side and parked. There was a bank of grass heading up to their left and a line of trees along the top. Reaching for the door handle, Steve pointed up the bank and turned to speak to Mike.
"The older graves are up over the bank there. We have to park here and bring the stuff we need up. "
Both men exited the car and came around to the trunk to get what they would need. As they met at the back of the car and Steve started reaching in to pull out a shovel and other tools that he had brought, Mike looked up the bank and couldn't contain his curiosity.
"Steve? Do you mind me asking how come your parents are buried in the older section of the Cemetery? I mean shouldn't they have been in the newer one?"
"Well from what I remember them saying at the time, it had something to do with the fact that they ... ah ... died so suddenly and apparently my Dad had always mentioned wanting to be buried with his Grandfather if anything ever happened. That was ah ... Harry's father and I think that's why."
Steve took the tools and then glanced back up the grassy embankment. A definite shudder ran through him and Mike noticed his sudden shiver. Placing a hand on the young man's shoulder, he spoke in concern.
"You ok Buddy Boy?"
"Yeah ... yeah I'm ok. It's just ... well don't laugh but ... this part of the graveyard kind of ... gives me the creeps ..."
"Why?"
Steve took a long deep breath before leading the way up the grassy bank.
"You'll see ..."
A/N: As I have never been to Modesto in my life, these scenes, roads and places I wrote about are borne purely from my imagination. I hope you will forgive my poetic license for the sake of my story ... ;-)