The day has finally arrived for Gordon's final check on his wrist, and if fully healed the cast comes off.
For once he is up first as he can't wait to get this over with as soon as he is home he is diving in that pool!
His dad joins him in the kitchen and starts tipping in large spoonfuls of coffee into the machine.
"Dad, how can you drink that stuff?" Gordon asks him grimacing.
"You'll understand when you're old enough Squid. So today's the big day, looking forward to it?" His dad asks him.
"Six weeks in this thing is too long!" He tells him. The cast is a work is art, as Virgil was let loose on it. And Gordon has promised he will bring it home for his next planned exhibition.
"And this afternoon?" Jeff prompts him gently.
"Yeah, I can't wait. How am I getting home after training though?" Gordon asks. Before he got injured in the car accident his dad would always pick him up after work, but his dads business has expanded so much now, and his project will see him leaving soon.
"Either Grandma or Scott will pick you up. You'll always have someone there to collect you. I promise. Now shall we go and get that pesky cast removed?" His dad says smiling.
The hospital is relatively busy for a weekday morning but his dads influence sees them taken straight through to the fracture clinic where he is seen within 10 minutes of his arrival.
He is poked, prodded and x-rayed before finally being told the cast can come off. Only for his temporary joy to become despair as he is fitted for a brace instead.
"But I thought once I got the cast off I could go swimming" Gordon tells the doctor.
"You can, the brace doesn't need to stay on all the time, just be careful while the muscles build back up."
"So the brace stays on at school so I don't have to do any work?" Gordon asks hopefully.
"No! The brace stays on and you continue with the same process as before!" His dad tells him.
"I didn't do any work dad!" He tells him laughing.
"Your report card said differently, your grades have improved a lot recently Squid" his dad reminds him.
"Don't say it out loud. Do you know what that kind of information would do to my reputation?" Gordon replies.
"My lips are sealed, I won't even tell your brothers, now let's get you to school" His dad says laughing.
*TB*
Gordon is nervous, even he can't deny that as he walks towards the pool after school has finished.
"Gordon! Glad you can make it, get suited up then cannon ball into the deep end for me! Just this once mind every other practise you have to be civilised but just for today have a bit of fun first" Mr Morgan greets him enthusiastically.
Gordon grins happily as he does as he's told, water splashes everywhere getting everyone soaked, then his new team mates all join him, watching as Gordon swims a few slow gentle laps to get into his rhythm. His technique is a little rusty, but Mr Morgan can't deny there is a lot of natural talent which with some hard work, dedication and discipline will result in the best swimmer this school has ever produced.
Gordon is exhausted by the end of the two hours, but he's happy to be back in a pool where he belongs. And just as his dad promised Scott is there to meet him after practise. Throwing his school bag on the back seat he climbs into the passenger seat without a word. He doesn't even greet his brother.
"You okay Squid?" Scott asks. He looks across at him, only to find his eyes already half closed.
"Mmm" Gordon moans at him and is fully asleep before Scott has left the car park.
"C'mon Squid let's get you in the house" Scott tells him gently shaking him awake once they are home. "There is something on tv we thought you might want to watch"
"Really?" Gordon yawns. "Can I not watch it tomorrow. I will just sleep here tonight".
"Nope. I will carry your bag for you just go inside" Scott tells him.
Gordon makes it to the sofa where Virgil and John are sat watching tv together. Lying himself down across his brothers legs he stares up at Virgil silently daring him to shout at him and make him move.
Virgil smiles indulgently at him, lying his arm across Gordon's chest.
"What's for dinner Virg. I'm starved" he tells him looking into his brothers face.
"No idea, grandma said it was a surprise" Virgil shrugs.
"A-a surprise?" Gordon replies gulping.
"Yep! And now we also have a surprise for you, John?" Virgil turns to his brother.
John grins as he flicks through the contents of their recorded shows.
"The news?" Gordon asks confused, he has never watched a news programme in his life!
"Yep, keep watching Squid" John tells him. He's also smiling. Which is confusing him more.
The main headlines hold no interest for him, and he is starting to fall asleep again when he gets a poke from Virgil.
"It's time Squid." He tells him.
Gordon rolls over onto his side so he can see the tv, digging his elbow into Virgil's side while he gets comfortable again.
"Corporal punishment bill defeated by state senate" is the headline.
"What?" Gordon says in surprise. "Does this mean what I think it means?"
"Yep. The so called Gordon Tracy proposal wasn't passed. It's over Gordon" John tells him. "Keep watching this bit is great!"
Gordon is shocked when he father appears on screen.
"Mr Tracy, you have been opposing this bill from the start of the campaign back in September can you tell me why?" The reporter asks.
"That is simple. I don't believe in hurting humans, adult or child. This bill was proposed by my sons principal when he got into some trouble at school, and the consequences almost cost me my child. I vowed that no one would be allowed to hurt him ever again, and I meant it." Jeff replies seriously. There is an undercurrent of anger in his voice that Gordon picks up on.
"This was the final appeal for the proposal. If there were to be a future movement would you fight that too?"
"Absolutely. I would do anything in my power to protect my children" Jeff replies. "No matter how badly behaved they are! Looking at you here Gordo" he's smiling now.
"See" John tells him, "no one is going to hurt you like that ever again"
Gordon rolls back onto his back and eyes up the two brothers he is currently using as a bed.
"I love you guys" he tells them smiling.
"We love you too Squid" they assure him.
Gordon yawns tiredly, and is almost asleep when grandma calls them for dinner.
Groaning he sits up and drags his exhausted body off the sofa, finally letting Virgil and John get up.
The table in the kitchen is covered in plates full of sandwiches, sausage rolls, pastries and cakes.
"Welcome back to the swim team Gordo!" His grandma tells him hugging him.
"Hey gordo? Where's your cast? I thought you were going to save it for me for my art project?" Virgil suddenly remembers.
"In dads car, would I let you down big bro" Gordon replies grinning.
"Never" Virgil tells him in between bites of cake.
"This is good cake Grandma" Scott tells her appreciatively.
"Flown in from Paris this morning!" She confirms.
"I figured you hadn't baked it yourself, it's cake not a hockey puck!" Gordon tells her smiling.
"Watch your manners Squid" a voice from behind him sounds.
"Dad!" They all cry. Jumping up from the table to greet their father.
"We saw you on the news dad, thanks for sticking up for me" Gordon tells him.
"Just doing my job as your father son, I let you down back then I'm not letting anyone get the chance to put me or any parent in that position again. Now where is that cake?"
"I saved you a slice from these greedy gannets!" Grandma tells him. Uncovering a plate with a selection of goodies she saved from the boys. Which Jeff devours in minutes.
"Now you lot homework. Now!" Jeff commands.
"Done in study hall" John confirms.
"Nerd!" Gordon tells him grinning.
"And proud of it fish boy, I'm going to graduate early. You're going to be stuck at school for years!" John replies laughing.
"I did Gordon's earlier" Virgil tells him.
"Why?" Jeff asks.
"Simple. He learns better this way, I do his homework and he can use it to study because it's correct" Virgil tells him.
"Gordon, do your own homework tomorrow" Jeff orders.
"But his tests results have improved. Our method really works dad! Please don't make him do his own homework". Virgil pleads.
"I give up. You fail one test Gordon and your off the swim team" he tells him. "Virgil what about your own work?"
"A week ahead of every subject in the text book" Virgil tells him proudly.
"What about you Scott?" He asks.
"Already drawn up a schedule for studying for finals starting this weekend. We are good students dad. Even Gordon! I know he tries to hide it but you really don't need to worry"
"How is he a good student if Virgil does all of his homework?" Jeff asks. He may have raised these boys but sometimes it feels like he hardly knows them at all.
"Just have some faith!" Scott replies grinning.
*TB*
After the sun has set for the evening, Gordon and Virgil have both retired to their room for the night. And are lying side by side of Gordon's bed. Virgil has him pulled close into his side while they discuss his first swim practise.
"It was amazing Virgy, everything I have been taught before just came back to me. Swimming is as natural for me as breathing is. I need the water like John needs a thick heavy physics book! And I spoke to dad. He said he won't ever ban me from training as punishment no matter how bad I am! If I'm bad then yeah I lose the home pool while I'm grounded but he won't make me let me team down."
Virgil can't remember the last time his little brother showed this level of enthusiasm for anything. Making himself a promise to be at as many as his meets as he possibly can, but this also helps him make his own decision about the future.
Virgil wants to go back to his piano lessons.
They lie together in silence, until Virgil can feel Gordon's breathing slow down and eventually become deep and relaxed and Virgil slips out from beside him and climbs into his own bed.
*TB*
Virgil can't help but feel nervous. He hasn't taken a piano lesson since his mom died, he has played but it's only ever been for his family. And only on special occasions. Not something he has been able to do regularly.
He has no idea how to bring the subject up with his dad, he can feel his dads tension and sadness whenever he did tinker with the piano, so he always tried to do it when he wasn't at home.
All night he tosses and turns in his sleep, waking up several times, finally given up on the idea of sleep and going to take a shower and make breakfast for the family.
He's just sliding the first batch of pancakes onto the table when his dad joins him in the kitchen.
"Morning Virgil. What do you want?" His dad asks suspiciously.
"Dad" He starts. Wringing his hands nervously.
Amused his dad sits down and waits for him to continue.
"DadIwanttostartmusicagain" he mumbles all one word staring intently at the floor.
"Sorry Virg, you're going to have to try that again" his dad asks him patiently.
"Piano. I want to start taking lessons again. Please don't hate Me" He begs.
"Virgil I could never hate you, and I would be thrilled if you started taking piano lessons again. I have been waiting for you to be ready for 3 years son, I didn't want to pressure you into it." His dad reassures him.
"But I thought you wouldn't want the reminders of mom every day while I practise?" Virgil tells him.
"Virgil, you and your brothers remind me of your mom every single day in millions of ways. Scott has her determination, you have her compassion for others and sense of justice, John has her eyes and her beautiful flaming hair, Gordon has her sense of humour and little Alan he has her smile and the same unique outlook on life she had."
His dad pauses and takes Virgil's hands in his.
"If I didn't want reminders of her greatest achievements I would have had you all shipped off to boarding school the second you were old enough! Yes I am going to be away a lot over the next few years but if all of us work together we can make it work. I'm going to need you to keep doing what you're doing now and look after your brothers for me". His dad tells him.
"Yeah Virgy look after me!" Alan says, breaking the spell between Jeff and Virgil.
Virgil swings Alan up into the air and plants a kiss on his cheek, which causes the 4 year old to squirm.
"Yuck Virgil!" He tells him giggling and wiping his cheek.
"Always Allie!" He tells him, as he wriggles free. "Always" He repeats quietly.
