~Woody~
I held Jordan's hand as she jumped off the back of the truck. We took off through the maze of parked cars behind us. I felt like a thief escaping into the night. As soon as we broke free of the parking lot Jordan stopped.
"I feel it's only fair to warn you that I didn't wear the right shoes to go hiking in the middle of the night."
"I'm sorry. I just wanted...."
What? Get a breath of fresh air. Get away from the crowd. Be alone with Jordan. Fight the noose that was wrapping around my neck again. I was fine until I saw my folks.
"Funny, you decided to stretch your legs the second you saw your mother and father making their way over to us."
"You don't think they noticed?" I had to smile. In the dim light I could see Jordan's lopsided grin.
"I give it about ten minutes before your mother can convince security that her child has been abducted by a female matching my description."
"I don't think she'll go that far Jordan."
"I wouldn't underestimate you're Mom, Hoyt. I think she could teach Walcott a little or two about distrusting a Cavanaugh."
"She likes you Jordan...."
Even as I said it, the words sounded ridiculous to my ears. Mom's disregard of Jordan was evident even when we made our way back to the house for dinner. While Jordan was in the shower, Mom pulled me aside. She told me she worried about me going back to Boston. She worried about what kind of person I was becoming.
"She'd like me to get on that plane, alone, and never return." Jordan said with a laugh.
I looked at my feet. "You're probably right."
"Don't get worked up over it; she's just a mom, Woody. It's her job to worry about her child."
"I'm far from a child anymore. I can pick my own life."
"She would have preferred that you just to pick a different one. I don't think she really hates me, it's just that, in her mind, I'm the personification of that life you did pick."
"You can get a little philosophical after one of Cal's margaritas."
"He can make a great margarita, strong; but great." She saluted me with what was left of her drink.
I jumped when I heard a car horn a few feet away from us. That uncomfortable feeling came over me again. I took Jordan's hand and we walked farther into the night. We walked in silence for a few minutes. I tried to look down at my watch. It was too dark, I couldn't tell how long we had before the fireworks started.
"Woody, I can't help but think that you're mom is hoping you'll change your mind and come back home."
"You think?" I laughed. Mom has been after me for the last two years.
"Well, she did say something to the affect of 'I hope he gets all this out of his system and come back home soon. It's too late for Annie, but I'm sure he can get his old job back, if he tried.'"
Mom was right it was too late for Annie. She was happy. I think we both realized we could have never been happy together. No matter how much either of us wanted it to work out. Seeing her today put it all in perspective. Her life was here and mine was elsewhere.
Jordan stopped walking. I looked around and noticed we were standing in the middle of the Little League field. It was dark and quiet. Her voice was low and soft. It took me a second to realize that she actually spoke.
"Would you Hoyt? Would you consider coming back here?"
Ever since the day Cal flew into Boston in the middle of the night, I had been asking myself the same question. Could Boston ever be home? We walked over the pitcher's mound and set down.
"Do you think I made the wrong move by coming to Boston, Jordan?"
She was silent for a minute. I first I didn't think she heard my question, until I heard her clear her throat.
"I don't think I'm the right person to ask about making wise life decisions, Woody."
I don't know why her answer was important to me, but I had to press the issue.
"Do you, Jordan?"
She took a long drink out of her cup. After wiping the back of her hand over her mouth, she began to speak, her voice melancholy.
"Hoyt, you probably could have had a thirty career never having had to raise your weapon, let alone fire it. To top it off, you left a girl, who you're mother tells me, was crazy about you....and visa-versa. You're family is here, Woody. You could have spent the rest of your Friday nights watching...Little League games, instead of hanging out in a smoky bar or spending quality time with some of the true scum of the world. You're kids would have only had to worry about making the basketball team and not being approached to buy drugs before they made it to third grade."
She stopped talking and reached for my hand. She wove her fingers into mine and raised them. In the darkness I could tell she was studying them.
"Then, that ache to leave, that laid deep in your soul would have eaten you alive."
She let go of my hand. The tone in her voice changed.
"To tell you the truth, I can't answer that question for you, Woody. You're the only one who knows that answer."
"Jordan, what if I told you, when I first thought about this weekend I was having doubts about why I left home in the first place."
I could feel her smile even though I couldn't see it.
"Is that why you dragged me along, Hoyt; to help you along with your resolve to move back?"
"No, just like my brother, I wanted to see you in a swimsuit."
"Oh Lord, you're mother is right. I'm leading both of you down the primrose path to damnation."
"Oh, but it's been a wild ride."
Her throaty laughter broke what ever tension was left in the air. I always loved to hear Jordan laugh. She doesn't do it as much as she should. I put an arm around her waist and pulled her close. Without thinking about anything but that moment I kissed her. To my surprise she returned it. She ran her fingers around the back of my neck.
If I died at that very moment I would have known I died a complete man. Annie once asked me if I found what I was looking for when I left Wisconsin. I didn't know if I found it yet. But, I knew I was pretty damn close.
Suddenly, the sky opened up with the first splash of color as the fireworks began.
"Fireworks, humm, that's literally never happened before." Jordan said against my mouth.
"Speak for yourself."
I kissed her one more time. In the distance I heard years of friends and relations 'oh' and 'ah' over the sky show. I looked up at the sky as she laid her head on my shoulder.
I didn't know what tomorrow would bring... but for tonight I was just a small town guy with his arm around the prettiest girl in the county, watching fireworks on the Fourth of July.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~Cal~
With one last kiss on the cheek, Dad grabbed something out of the bag Mom was carrying. She disappeared into the crowd saying something about going to shop at the fundraiser booths and talk to one of the ladies from church to clear some gossip she heard this afternoon. Dad swung up in the truck bed and sat down in the seat Jordan had abandoned. It wasn't until he was settled that I noticed the empty plastic cup in his hand.
"Pour me one of those, Cal."
When I didn't move he reached into his pocket and pulled out two cigars. My father was always a master negotiator. I poured him a margarita. Fred Flintstone was empty. Thank God, Barney Rubble was sitting in relief under ice in the cooler. Once the cigars were lit we both sat back and watched the crowd stroll by. Dad was the first to break the silence.
"Is you're brother moving home or what?"
I blow a smoke ring before I answered.
"Do you want him to move back?"
"Hell yes, I would like to have both my boys back home where they belong. It took you damn long enough."
I had to chuckle it almost sounded like the old man wanted me around.
"I think Woody's content right there in Boston, Dad."
He let out a long sigh and tipped his cup to his lips.
"You're right. Your mother may never quite understand. We were both born here and we'll die here; but I can understand the draws of living somewhere else. Jordan's pretty special isn't she?"
"She is."
"She flew out here for two days to put up with us, it only proves it. Do you think you're brother notices?"
"I'm sure he does."
We sat in silence watching the people and listening to the radio.
"You want to go fishing next week sometime?" Dad asked.
"Sure, I'm working everyday but Thursday."
"Thursday it is. Don't make me have to call and wake you up."
I laughed and reached in the cooler. Soon Barney Rubble refilled both our cups.
"Calvin, you're mother is going to kill us both."
"At least I have a bed at my own place. You've in the shop with a Lazy-Boy that's held together with duck tape."
"Here's to hoping you find a woman who will make all the trouble worth it" he saluted me with his drink.
I smiled and lifted my cup as the first flashes of fireworks filled the air.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~Jordan~
Free at last. Free at last. I couldn't help but feel relieved so I stood out in a sun drenched driveway with Woody's parents waiting for him to bring out our bags. Within two hours we would be winging our way back to summer city smog, traffic jams, and late night shifts. First stop would be to kiss the entrance to the morgue. At least dead people didn't give fashion advice.
"Jordan honey, don't you think you're a little long in the tooth to wear that."
"Marianne, she looks fine."
"Men think we could wear potato sacks and look good." she whispered to me.
I smiled. Two hours, two hours and counting. Cal tapped on the horn of the truck and yelled out the window.
"Woody, get your ass in gear! I have to get back to work or I'll get fired."
Woody stumbled out of the house carrying the two over night bags that we came with and an additional suitcase. Once the goodbyes were given and we where pulling out of the driveway waving, I asked what the bag was for.
"Mom is sending back some stuff...."
"Let me guess, new underwear, a couple of jars of Aunt Peg's strawberry jelly, and the last three month's worth of old Kewaunee weekly newspapers." Cal said.
"Complete with the 'Apartments for Rent' ads all circled....She also sent something for you in there, Jordan. You see she doesn't hate you after all."
"I'm scared to ask what it is."
"Knowing Mom, I wouldn't open it until you've checked for ticking..." Cal added.
The drive was smooth. We were going to get there in plenty of time to check in. Cal and Woody discussed the next time they would get together while I watched the approaching airport terminal.
We pulled up to the curb. I told Woody I would get our luggage checked in and wait for him at the gate, while he said goodbye to his brother. Cal kissed my cheek. He maybe a over grown teenager, but all in all, Cal was a great guy. I told him I would buy him a beer the next time he was in Boston. He wrapped his arms around me and I felt him slip an envelope into my bag.
"Hey, watch the hands baby brother. I saw her first."
"Can't fault me for trying...See you around, Jordan."
I turned and walked into the terminal. Once I made my way to the gate I stood at the window watching the planes taking off. I pulled out the envelope Cal had given me. It contained a few snapshots of the day before. There was one of the three of us that caught my eye.
We took right before we called it a day. The three of us looked wet, sunburned, and like we belonged together. Just like a family. I quickly stuffed the pictures back into my bag. It must have been the light in the concourse. I'm sure when I looked at it later; I would see the look of pain in my face.
"We've got awhile before our flight will be called. Do you want to grab something to eat?" I saw Woody's reflection in the glass as he stepped up in back of me.
"You know it's not too late to change your mind."
"What? Would you rather get a drink? It's a little early but, I think there's a bar over by the main terminal...."
I turned to him. "I'm not talking about that. It's not too late to move back home. Your brother took a half a dozen years. I took more than my share of time..."
"You think I should stay here, Jordan?"
I sputtered. "Today? Ah no, you have to give the department at least two weeks...."
He cupped his hands around my shoulders. With a smile he said. "I am going home Jordan. Home is Boston."
I couldn't do anything but smile.
"Come on." he said with a tilt of the head as he let go of me. "We can grab something to eat....after our flight. I know this great place that has chimichongas..."
"Mexican on Fourth of July weekend, in Boston no less."
"Yeah, this friend I have, a special friend, took me there once. Let's go, I'll race you. We'll be first in line to get on the plane....."
I took of running only to be scooped up from behind and thrown over his shoulder. My laughter was drawing stares but I didn't care. Sometimes you just need a break from real life... a holiday on the lake...with friends.
The End.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ok, Ok, no more sequels. My teeth are aching from this one..... My version of 'Cal' may turn up again somewhere down the line. He's been a lot of fun to work with. I hope you enjoyed it.
I held Jordan's hand as she jumped off the back of the truck. We took off through the maze of parked cars behind us. I felt like a thief escaping into the night. As soon as we broke free of the parking lot Jordan stopped.
"I feel it's only fair to warn you that I didn't wear the right shoes to go hiking in the middle of the night."
"I'm sorry. I just wanted...."
What? Get a breath of fresh air. Get away from the crowd. Be alone with Jordan. Fight the noose that was wrapping around my neck again. I was fine until I saw my folks.
"Funny, you decided to stretch your legs the second you saw your mother and father making their way over to us."
"You don't think they noticed?" I had to smile. In the dim light I could see Jordan's lopsided grin.
"I give it about ten minutes before your mother can convince security that her child has been abducted by a female matching my description."
"I don't think she'll go that far Jordan."
"I wouldn't underestimate you're Mom, Hoyt. I think she could teach Walcott a little or two about distrusting a Cavanaugh."
"She likes you Jordan...."
Even as I said it, the words sounded ridiculous to my ears. Mom's disregard of Jordan was evident even when we made our way back to the house for dinner. While Jordan was in the shower, Mom pulled me aside. She told me she worried about me going back to Boston. She worried about what kind of person I was becoming.
"She'd like me to get on that plane, alone, and never return." Jordan said with a laugh.
I looked at my feet. "You're probably right."
"Don't get worked up over it; she's just a mom, Woody. It's her job to worry about her child."
"I'm far from a child anymore. I can pick my own life."
"She would have preferred that you just to pick a different one. I don't think she really hates me, it's just that, in her mind, I'm the personification of that life you did pick."
"You can get a little philosophical after one of Cal's margaritas."
"He can make a great margarita, strong; but great." She saluted me with what was left of her drink.
I jumped when I heard a car horn a few feet away from us. That uncomfortable feeling came over me again. I took Jordan's hand and we walked farther into the night. We walked in silence for a few minutes. I tried to look down at my watch. It was too dark, I couldn't tell how long we had before the fireworks started.
"Woody, I can't help but think that you're mom is hoping you'll change your mind and come back home."
"You think?" I laughed. Mom has been after me for the last two years.
"Well, she did say something to the affect of 'I hope he gets all this out of his system and come back home soon. It's too late for Annie, but I'm sure he can get his old job back, if he tried.'"
Mom was right it was too late for Annie. She was happy. I think we both realized we could have never been happy together. No matter how much either of us wanted it to work out. Seeing her today put it all in perspective. Her life was here and mine was elsewhere.
Jordan stopped walking. I looked around and noticed we were standing in the middle of the Little League field. It was dark and quiet. Her voice was low and soft. It took me a second to realize that she actually spoke.
"Would you Hoyt? Would you consider coming back here?"
Ever since the day Cal flew into Boston in the middle of the night, I had been asking myself the same question. Could Boston ever be home? We walked over the pitcher's mound and set down.
"Do you think I made the wrong move by coming to Boston, Jordan?"
She was silent for a minute. I first I didn't think she heard my question, until I heard her clear her throat.
"I don't think I'm the right person to ask about making wise life decisions, Woody."
I don't know why her answer was important to me, but I had to press the issue.
"Do you, Jordan?"
She took a long drink out of her cup. After wiping the back of her hand over her mouth, she began to speak, her voice melancholy.
"Hoyt, you probably could have had a thirty career never having had to raise your weapon, let alone fire it. To top it off, you left a girl, who you're mother tells me, was crazy about you....and visa-versa. You're family is here, Woody. You could have spent the rest of your Friday nights watching...Little League games, instead of hanging out in a smoky bar or spending quality time with some of the true scum of the world. You're kids would have only had to worry about making the basketball team and not being approached to buy drugs before they made it to third grade."
She stopped talking and reached for my hand. She wove her fingers into mine and raised them. In the darkness I could tell she was studying them.
"Then, that ache to leave, that laid deep in your soul would have eaten you alive."
She let go of my hand. The tone in her voice changed.
"To tell you the truth, I can't answer that question for you, Woody. You're the only one who knows that answer."
"Jordan, what if I told you, when I first thought about this weekend I was having doubts about why I left home in the first place."
I could feel her smile even though I couldn't see it.
"Is that why you dragged me along, Hoyt; to help you along with your resolve to move back?"
"No, just like my brother, I wanted to see you in a swimsuit."
"Oh Lord, you're mother is right. I'm leading both of you down the primrose path to damnation."
"Oh, but it's been a wild ride."
Her throaty laughter broke what ever tension was left in the air. I always loved to hear Jordan laugh. She doesn't do it as much as she should. I put an arm around her waist and pulled her close. Without thinking about anything but that moment I kissed her. To my surprise she returned it. She ran her fingers around the back of my neck.
If I died at that very moment I would have known I died a complete man. Annie once asked me if I found what I was looking for when I left Wisconsin. I didn't know if I found it yet. But, I knew I was pretty damn close.
Suddenly, the sky opened up with the first splash of color as the fireworks began.
"Fireworks, humm, that's literally never happened before." Jordan said against my mouth.
"Speak for yourself."
I kissed her one more time. In the distance I heard years of friends and relations 'oh' and 'ah' over the sky show. I looked up at the sky as she laid her head on my shoulder.
I didn't know what tomorrow would bring... but for tonight I was just a small town guy with his arm around the prettiest girl in the county, watching fireworks on the Fourth of July.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~Cal~
With one last kiss on the cheek, Dad grabbed something out of the bag Mom was carrying. She disappeared into the crowd saying something about going to shop at the fundraiser booths and talk to one of the ladies from church to clear some gossip she heard this afternoon. Dad swung up in the truck bed and sat down in the seat Jordan had abandoned. It wasn't until he was settled that I noticed the empty plastic cup in his hand.
"Pour me one of those, Cal."
When I didn't move he reached into his pocket and pulled out two cigars. My father was always a master negotiator. I poured him a margarita. Fred Flintstone was empty. Thank God, Barney Rubble was sitting in relief under ice in the cooler. Once the cigars were lit we both sat back and watched the crowd stroll by. Dad was the first to break the silence.
"Is you're brother moving home or what?"
I blow a smoke ring before I answered.
"Do you want him to move back?"
"Hell yes, I would like to have both my boys back home where they belong. It took you damn long enough."
I had to chuckle it almost sounded like the old man wanted me around.
"I think Woody's content right there in Boston, Dad."
He let out a long sigh and tipped his cup to his lips.
"You're right. Your mother may never quite understand. We were both born here and we'll die here; but I can understand the draws of living somewhere else. Jordan's pretty special isn't she?"
"She is."
"She flew out here for two days to put up with us, it only proves it. Do you think you're brother notices?"
"I'm sure he does."
We sat in silence watching the people and listening to the radio.
"You want to go fishing next week sometime?" Dad asked.
"Sure, I'm working everyday but Thursday."
"Thursday it is. Don't make me have to call and wake you up."
I laughed and reached in the cooler. Soon Barney Rubble refilled both our cups.
"Calvin, you're mother is going to kill us both."
"At least I have a bed at my own place. You've in the shop with a Lazy-Boy that's held together with duck tape."
"Here's to hoping you find a woman who will make all the trouble worth it" he saluted me with his drink.
I smiled and lifted my cup as the first flashes of fireworks filled the air.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~Jordan~
Free at last. Free at last. I couldn't help but feel relieved so I stood out in a sun drenched driveway with Woody's parents waiting for him to bring out our bags. Within two hours we would be winging our way back to summer city smog, traffic jams, and late night shifts. First stop would be to kiss the entrance to the morgue. At least dead people didn't give fashion advice.
"Jordan honey, don't you think you're a little long in the tooth to wear that."
"Marianne, she looks fine."
"Men think we could wear potato sacks and look good." she whispered to me.
I smiled. Two hours, two hours and counting. Cal tapped on the horn of the truck and yelled out the window.
"Woody, get your ass in gear! I have to get back to work or I'll get fired."
Woody stumbled out of the house carrying the two over night bags that we came with and an additional suitcase. Once the goodbyes were given and we where pulling out of the driveway waving, I asked what the bag was for.
"Mom is sending back some stuff...."
"Let me guess, new underwear, a couple of jars of Aunt Peg's strawberry jelly, and the last three month's worth of old Kewaunee weekly newspapers." Cal said.
"Complete with the 'Apartments for Rent' ads all circled....She also sent something for you in there, Jordan. You see she doesn't hate you after all."
"I'm scared to ask what it is."
"Knowing Mom, I wouldn't open it until you've checked for ticking..." Cal added.
The drive was smooth. We were going to get there in plenty of time to check in. Cal and Woody discussed the next time they would get together while I watched the approaching airport terminal.
We pulled up to the curb. I told Woody I would get our luggage checked in and wait for him at the gate, while he said goodbye to his brother. Cal kissed my cheek. He maybe a over grown teenager, but all in all, Cal was a great guy. I told him I would buy him a beer the next time he was in Boston. He wrapped his arms around me and I felt him slip an envelope into my bag.
"Hey, watch the hands baby brother. I saw her first."
"Can't fault me for trying...See you around, Jordan."
I turned and walked into the terminal. Once I made my way to the gate I stood at the window watching the planes taking off. I pulled out the envelope Cal had given me. It contained a few snapshots of the day before. There was one of the three of us that caught my eye.
We took right before we called it a day. The three of us looked wet, sunburned, and like we belonged together. Just like a family. I quickly stuffed the pictures back into my bag. It must have been the light in the concourse. I'm sure when I looked at it later; I would see the look of pain in my face.
"We've got awhile before our flight will be called. Do you want to grab something to eat?" I saw Woody's reflection in the glass as he stepped up in back of me.
"You know it's not too late to change your mind."
"What? Would you rather get a drink? It's a little early but, I think there's a bar over by the main terminal...."
I turned to him. "I'm not talking about that. It's not too late to move back home. Your brother took a half a dozen years. I took more than my share of time..."
"You think I should stay here, Jordan?"
I sputtered. "Today? Ah no, you have to give the department at least two weeks...."
He cupped his hands around my shoulders. With a smile he said. "I am going home Jordan. Home is Boston."
I couldn't do anything but smile.
"Come on." he said with a tilt of the head as he let go of me. "We can grab something to eat....after our flight. I know this great place that has chimichongas..."
"Mexican on Fourth of July weekend, in Boston no less."
"Yeah, this friend I have, a special friend, took me there once. Let's go, I'll race you. We'll be first in line to get on the plane....."
I took of running only to be scooped up from behind and thrown over his shoulder. My laughter was drawing stares but I didn't care. Sometimes you just need a break from real life... a holiday on the lake...with friends.
The End.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ok, Ok, no more sequels. My teeth are aching from this one..... My version of 'Cal' may turn up again somewhere down the line. He's been a lot of fun to work with. I hope you enjoyed it.
