Papa Joe Takes a Walk |

When Papa Joe guided the Pearl into the campground set on a small plateau above Estes Park, it was to the delighted exclamations of "Ooh" and "Ahh" and one heartfelt "Wow" from the Frontier Duchess. "Well, if you don't like it," he said, "The site of the Donner Party Camp Out is half a day that-a-way," he pointed out into the trees.

"No dad," Oliver said. "This will do just fine."

The Pearl followed the Park Service designed flow and numbered signs until she reached a cul-de-sac of three campsites set off to one side. Papa Joe smiled to find all three empty. "Looks like we might have this little piece of earth to ourselves for the day," he murmured to Charlie. The cul-de-sac was wide, bounded by trees but had an open gap at the far end that gave a view of Estes Park. A large fire pit waited next to their parking spot, with iron grates in place for cooking. Water was available from a Little House on the Prairie style hand pump in the center of the three sites. The old fashioned hand pump fascinated Shane who worked the handle and then giggled when the water came out. "You can drink that if you want, but I would boil it first," Papa Joe warned. "Just to be safe."

A cinder block building by the road offered amenities – with showers – one for men and one for women. Oliver, Norman and Rita all made happy sounds when they saw it, and walked that way immediately to inspect – or use – the facility. When they returned, a competition was going on between Shane-Charlie and Papa Joe to see who could get their tent put up first. Shane and Charlie won. Papa Joe immediately used a pine branch to draw a line between the two tents.

"Men's," he pointed to one, "Women's", the other. "The wall of Jericho," he said pointing to the line.

Charlie laughed, "You did that just because we watched that movie the other night."

"What movie?" Shane asked.

"It Happened One Night," Rita smiled. "Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable, very romantic," she said making moon eyes at Norman.

An hour later, all the gear had been unloaded from the RV, an impressive kitchen set up on the Park Service table next to the fire pit, and a pot of fresh coffee steaming happily.

Oliver and Joe were staring off at Estes Park, Shane, Rita and Charlie had claimed three folding lawn recliners and had their feet resting on the stone walls of the fire pit. Norman was off to one side, peering between tree trunks and into the woods as if Pete's Dragon might suddenly appear. Or a long lost brother.

"Poor guy," Rita said softly. "He is so worried about Bearthezar. He's afraid his friend is lost somewhere."

"Bearthezar? Joe didn't say anything about another Postable."

"He's a stuffed grizzly that we used in a Christmas pageant to play the part of one of the Three Wise Men."

"Oh," Charlie laughed. "Well now it makes perfect sense."

Shane sat back, closed her eyes for a moment and let the unrelenting press of the city slide off into the pine needles under their feet.

"Feels good," Rita said. "Haven't been in the woods for a long time."

"My dad used to take me camping. Until the year he didn't and then never again," Shane said. "But yes, this feels the way I remember it." Charlie stood, grabbed the pot and refreshed cups. "So you and Joe?" Shane asked.

Charlie shrugged. "I noticed him when he moved in next property over. Shoot, the whole neighborhood noticed him. I thought I was going to have to fight off my friend Kathleen for a while. She had eyes for that man."

"What happened?"

"Raccoons happened. It's amazing how you can get to know someone when you introduce yourselves while sitting on your backside in the dirt. We looked at each other and laughed. What can I say, something clicked. What I never did ask him was what exactly was he prowling next to my fence." She and Shane exchanged a glance and laughed. "The raccoon incident was about the same time that he and Oliver were reconnecting. I heard all about it. If ever there was a father that needed his son, it's Joe."

"When did you hear about the disastrous camp out and nearly dying?"

"Joe called me from the hospital the day after they tucked him into that bed. Dear God how I wanted to skin him alive. I had not heard from him in three days. But it wall worked out. Over the last year I have learned that Joe's muchness is derived from that one." She nodded toward Oliver.

"Muchness? From Alice?" They laughed with each other and clinked coffee cups together. "To the Hatter."

"You know they pretty much share the same muchness?" Shane said.

"That's how I knew that we would be friends," Charlie chuffed. "It's not an acquired taste, honey. It's a calling."

When Joe and Oliver returned to the fire pit, Oliver stopped next to Shane but Papa Joe went straight through and out the other side. "That is the trail that leads to the lake," Charlie said. "It's out there about a mile. His Muchness has a lot on his mind."

"I'm going to follow him," Oliver said suddenly." And did.

"And that is who Joe has on his mind," Charlie added after Oliver had gone.

"What's going on?"

Charlie just shook her head. "Not mine to tell. Sorry." She waited for several breaths, then, "Are you going to follow him?"

"Should I?"

"Yes."

The trail made a bend through a thick grove of trees that parted suddenly to reveal the lake. Oliver stopped, took a few steps back, and then watched his father from cover. Papa Joe was sitting on a fallen log, staring at the water, and occasionally flipping a stone to make a splash.

Oliver heard nothing but he suddenly knew that he was not alone. When he turned, Shane was within arm's reach of his back. To his credit he did not jump, but it took an iron grip on his reflexes to pull it off. He looked down at her feet and then smiled. Both boots were firmly planted on pine needles and fallen leaves.

"What are you looking for?" she whispered.

"Wanted to make sure you were touching the ground."

"What?"

He reached for her hand and pulled her closer. "Angels don't have to walk," he whispered.

Shane laughed softly. "You really think I'm an - ." After the kiss she sighed. "What's Papa Joe doing?"

"He's just sitting there. Looks deep in thought."

"Why are we whispering?" she whispered.

Oliver shrugged. "Don't want to disturb him.

"Oliver can I ask you something that's been bothering me since your last camping trip?"

"Of course."

"Can you teach me to do that thing you do. To pray?"

"Of course Ms McInerney," he gasped softly.

"Oliver, there isn't a suit and tie within five miles. You can call me Shane."

He was going to kiss her again, she could see it in his eyes, the warm Oliver eyes that had greeted her in the little Chapel in the hospital. She started to rise onto her toes, lifting to put her lips to his.

"Oh bother," Papa Joe said suddenly. "You both do realize that I am sitting on the edge of a natural amphitheater don't you?" he asked without turning around. "I can hear every word you are saying."

"Busted," Shane said, her lips just an inch from Oliver's.

The kiss was short but had a whispered, "Later," attached to it. Oliver took her hand and led her to Papa Joe, then they split and one sat on either side.

"So how exactly did you two meet?" Joe asked.

"That is something of a long story, dad. Maybe later."

"Well, I want to hear it. I do think you have a very nice family, Oliver."

The man had been in such good spirits since the day had begun that when the heaviness came suddenly, it was obvious. "What is it? What's wrong?" Oliver asked.

"Am I wrong son?"

"About what dad?" For a long minute the only sounds were the lapping of the lake at a stony shore and the far off cry of a hawk looking for dinner. "About Charlie? I enjoy spending time with her. Am I wrong?"

Oliver laughed but Shane understood the question. "He is being serious Oliver. He is afraid of offending you."

"After all we've been through?"

"Yes," she said. "Don't you see? He has you back and doesn't want to lose you again."

"Oh," he said. "Well, Charlie seems very nice, honest, I don't think she even knows what the word pretentious means."

"No Oliver," Shane said. "He already knows that part or we would not be having this conversation. Truth is, between the three of us, none of us is qualified to give relationship advice. Just tell him how you feel. I know that's a difficult for a man to do, but try."

Papa Joe laughed. "Is she always this candid?"

"Oh dad, you really don't know the half of it." Oliver slipped his arm around Joe and found Shane's arm was already there. "Look dad, you don't need my approval - ." Joe started to cut him off, but Oliver continued. "But you have it. Everything I need to know was written on your face this morning when you held her hand to help her out of the Pearl."

Papa Joe nodded and relaxed.

"Are you satisfied, Ms McInerney?"

"For now," she said, leaning back to catch his eye and make the point.

"So dad."

"Yes son?"

"Now I would like to ask you a question. I consider myself to be a man of faith."

"Convinced me," Shane whispered and Joe nudged her with his elbow.

"Scripture says, "Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it."

"Don't start with the 'old' stuff," Joe said.

"Point taken," Oliver and Shane said at the same time.

"I learned to be a man of faith because of you, because of Mrs. Genzinger my Sunday School Teacher, and others. But I sit here today and I am wondering where has your faith gone? Why are you not the man of faith I saw as a child?"

Joe sighed, picked up a small rock and made it say 'splash' as it hit the lake. "Shane is staring at the side of my face isn't she?" he asked Oliver.

"Yes, she is," he laughed.

"I really want to know," she said.

"Ok. So, let's say that faith is like a pair of nice warm wool socks. Now,remember when you were five and we had to get those special Orthopedic Shoes because you were rolling your feet an odd way?" Oliver nodded. "Well, between - ," he started to say, but Oliver and Shane already knew the history of betrayal. Joe sighed deeply, unwilling to tell it all again. "One of the consequences of an unbalanced walk – like the one you had - was that you would wear a hole in your socks."

"Oh, I see," Oliver said. "I understand."

"I let life knock me off balance and wore a hole in my nice warm wool socks," Joe said.

"Well, just darn it then," Shane said and then covered her mouth to stop the laughter. It didn't work. Joe and Oliver both joined her, threatening to roll their log over.

"I think Shane is right, dad. It is time to darn the worn socks and put your faith to work again."

"I am back in the mountains. The funny part, son, is that Charlie has been telling me the same thing. And I know she is right, you both are right. Now, I think it's about time we get back."

They all stood and Shane reached for Oliver's hand. "Shane?" Papa Joe asked. "Would you remain for a moment? Just you?"

"I will see you back at the camp," Oliver said with a smile and turned away.

Papa Joe watched until his son had disappeared into the trees. Then he turned to face Shane. "I need to ask you a question and I need a direct answer. No 'bs' between you and me, just a simple yes or no."

Shane nodded and took a deep breath because she knew what the question was going to be.

"Do you love him?"

She took another deep breath and looked Papa Joe straight in the eye. "Yes," she said and wiped at an eye suddenly wet.

Papa Joe nodded. "Please be patient with him. He needs time to heal and I believe that you were sent into his life for that very reason."

Shane threw her arms around Joe. "I promise," she whispered into his ear.