Chapter Ten

Four hours later, Roy had a completed schematic, which partially pleased everyone. Including himself. Jenny was thrilled, Chris was confused.

"Daddy, it has monkey bars! You said I couldn't have those."

Roy picked Jenny up and sat her in his lap. "I know, but Uncle Mike designed them so I can adjust the height. Lower when you're small, higher when you've grown. Got it?"

Jenny looked at him and frowned. "No. Are you gonna make them, Daddy?"

"Well yes, but they'll be low. Get it?"

"Did Uncle Mike draw them?"

"Yep."

Jenny wiggled down from Roy's lap and threw her arms around Milke. "Uncle Mike, you're the bestest!"

Johnny tapped her on the shoulder. "Hey, what about me?" Jenny swatted his hand away.

Chet guffawed. "Looks like you've been unseated, Uncle Johnny."

"Oh, yeah? We'll just see about that!" He tapped Jenny's shoulder again. "Honey, I designed the swings and half the princess castle. Don't I get a hug?"

Jenny shook her head at him, then continued hugging Mike. Mike glanced at Johnny and shrugged, lifting Jenny up with his shoulders. Johnny sighed.

Chris was studying the schematic. "Dad, is the treehouse smaller?"

"Uh, yeah. I decided it should be kid-size. You know, no grownups allowed."

Chris's eyes lit up. "Can we make a sign abouy that?"

"Sure, why not. But you know, in an emergency, you'll have to let a grownup in."

Chris looked confused. "What kind of emergency?"

"You know, if someone is sick or hurt."

"Okay, but only then. I don't want no grownups hanging around. "

Roy's dream of watching the stars with Chris, sitting int he treehouse - even scrunching up in the treehouse - vanished like the early morning California fog. Poof. Gone. He stood up and stretched. "I'm gonna go to the lumberyard."

"Can I come? I'll draw up a supply list," Marco offered.

"Thanks, Marco, but I can handle this on my own."

"Wait, what kind of wood are you getting?" Johnny inquired.

"Plywood. Why?"

"Roy, dontcha think redwood would be better?"

"No. I can't afford anything but plywood. Unless you're offering to pay for something else," Roy replied, his frustration level rising again.

"Uh, no," Johnny responded, leaning away. "I already paid for the saws."

"Well, find the receipt and return them."

"But Roy, higher quality wood would last longer. Ya gotta think about the grandkids."

Chet jumped in. "Ya know Roy, Gage has a point. Listen, why don't we all come with you? Six heads are better than one."

"Not me, guys," Cap declared. "I've got a pile of paperwork to do."

"Me either," said Mike, as he gently removed Jenny's arms from around his neck. I got a date."

"Okay, four heads," Chet said, jumping up.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! I think I can handle this by myself," Roy sputtered.

"Hon," Joanne called from the dining room. "Don't forget that I need the station wagon. I'm taking the kids to a birthday party.

"See? Now ya DO need us," Chet beamed, a dangerous gleam in his eye. "I'll drive."

"You? In that pile of junk you call a car? It'll never make it. We'll take the Rover."

"I don't care which car we take, I just want to help," Marco declared, a bit exasperated by the delay. "Look, can I start drawing up a list?" Silently, Roy handed him the schematic. Marco disappeared into the kitchen.

"So DeSoto, which car? Mine or Gage's?"

"John's"

"You'll never get the supplies in the Rover with four guys in it. See? You need - "

"Fine. You and I will ride in Marco's car."

Chet's face fell. Johnny clapped him on the back. "Now YOU'VE been unseated, Kelly."

"Oh, yeah? Just wait till we start using power tools, Gage. I can drill faster - "

Roy held up a hand in Chet's face. "Nope. No power tools."

Chet shoved Roy's hand away. "Whadaya mean, no power tools?"

"I got kids, Chet. You forget? No power tools. They gotta learn the basics first."

"But it'll take forever."

Johnny snickered. "You never been around kids, have ya, Chet? Ya gotta start 'em off slow and simple. I know these kids and - "

"Johnny, shut up," Roy interrupted. "They're my kids. Don't speak for me."

"I'm not speaking for ya. Its just - "

Roy'd had enough. He jumped up, stomped to the front door, and threw it open. "Out! Everybody out!"

Marco came out of the kitchen and handed the shopping list to Roy. "Time to go."

"Nope, out. All of you."

One by one, the crew shuffled out. Roy slammed the door, leaned against it, and looked at Joanne, his face tired and defeated. Jenny came over to him and looked up at him.

"Daddy, you gonna make the swing set today?"

Roy looked down at her and patted her on the head. "Not today, sweetie."

"You have a fight with the uncles?"

"No...just a couple of disagreements. We'll sort it out." He started up the stairs, turned, and looked grimly at Joanne. "Really sweet of the whole shift to help, huh? at this rate the kids'll be teens by the time we finish."

"If you use power tools - "

"No."

"Honey, just keep the kids away. You do that all the time when you - "

"Okay, okay, I'll think about it." He took another step, turned back again, and sighed.

I think I'm in trouble. Big, big trouble."