The End of an Era.
By the time that the month of May arrived, Seth was starting to feel the impact of organising a wedding on his health. He said nothing though to anyone as he began to feel his hands ache and spasm more frequently than he had for months; he managed to avoid the difficult questions by staying in his bed later in the mornings, and by making his calls to Mrs Carmichael on speaker phone, after he had dropped his cellphone in the middle of a conversation with such a clatter that she had immediately asked if he was okay. That in turn had lead to a phone call from Thad, who had been concerned enough to volunteer his own services, if it would help, to act as the go between. He would have no issue with calling Skylar on behalf of Mrs Carmichael, but he had known before he had offered what his answer would be; Seth insisted that he was fine, that there was no need for anyone else to be involved, he had just been a little tired after a restless night. Furthermore, he was not going to see Ollie, as any issues he was having were minor and would pass…
Thad knew that arguing would not help his case, nor would calling up his brother behind Seth's back and requesting he summon him for a check up. All he could do was pray that the crisis that he knew was building up in Seth's health would occur after the wedding. Seth was praying for exactly the same thing every night, counting off the days until it would be safe for him to collapse; the day when Skylar would be married and in Ohio, unable to check up on him every day. It was a great comfort to him too that the work on the end house was proceeding at quite a pace. The stairs had been sealed in on the first day, and thereafter the workers could begin to move walls and install the new fixtures and fittings in earnest. Mike was making a check on the progress every day, and by the 3rd of May, he was able to report to Jeff that the wet room was finished and working, and the layout of the rooms altered; that the kitchen would be installed by the end of the week if the specialist manufacturer kept to their timetable for the delivery of the component parts. Mike had promised Jeff that he would not tell Seth that yet, but would wait until the time had come to begin decoration…
A week later, on the 10th, Seth received a phone call from Mike, asking him if he could pop round to the end house as the boss of the construction firm was ready to discuss paint colours with him. Seth agreed happily, as his pain that day was at a low ebb, and he had nothing urgent to do - there had been an issue with Duncan's suit from Brooks Brothers, but that was all being sorted out; with just over a fortnight to the big day, everything was going to plan. He put on a light jacket, then walked along to the end house, where he discovered to his surprise that Artie was waiting alongside Mike.
"Okay, so I will come clean," said Mike. "We do need to talk about the colour scheme, but as everything else is ready now, we thought, Jeff and I, that you should have a chance to inspect it, and that Artie was ideally placed to test the features that are designed for, well…"
"When I am in the same position as he is?" replied Seth quietly. "That is actually a pretty good idea, and I am grateful to him for giving up his time like this. Right, lead the way into my new home…"
Mike nodded, then pulled from his pocket the first item on the agenda; the electronic key that would open the street gate, and handed it to Seth; he in turn held it to the sensor, and the gate swung open, leading onto a gentle slope that made its way to the back of the house. Artie headed down first, wheeling himself with caution, and soon arrived at the entrance door without mishap. Seth once again placed the key on the sensor, but this time he stepped in front of Artie to be the first into the house. He stepped into a small vestibule, a second door in front of them before the hallway, in an attempt to cut down on draughts. Opening it, he saw the hallway was much wider than it was in the rest of the houses, just as it was in Artie's place. The first door they came to lead into a room at the back, intended as the bedroom. It had a view over the back garden, through what had once been the French doors; they were now sealed from the outside, but could be opened from the inside for use as an emergency exit.
There was a door from the bedroom that lead directly into the wet room, although it also had a door from the hallway. Stepping in, Seth turned to Mike and asked, "So I am right in thinking this whole room is essentially a shower?"
"In this case most of it is, but not the part around the toilet; the room was big enough for it to remain a dry area," replied Mike. "If you notice, the floor slopes gently down towards that corner, so the water will drain away from the doors and keep everywhere else dry."
"They are the best thing ever invented," added Artie. "Makes my life a lot simpler, and saves other people having to help me all the time."
"It is pretty neat," admitted Seth, pointedly ignoring the red help button cord that hung from the ceiling, but acknowledging the grab rails and the fact that the floor was tiled with a non-slip surface. Then he headed through the door into the hall, into the living area, with a kitchen recess. He saw at once that it was a bespoke one of the kind that Artie had, and he wished that Jeff was there at that moment so that he could thank him by pulling him into an enormous hug. He noted the buttons that would raise and lower the work surfaces, the wall cupboards and the stove top; the fact that the oven was placed at what would be his sightline once he was in a chair, as Artie demonstrated.
As he took the controls, and began to test that everything was working, it was seeing the surfaces move that caused Seth's emotions to get the better of him. He burst into tears, as it hit him just how much he was loved by all of those around him, but especially by Jeff. None of this equipment, or the building work required to fit it, would have come cheap, and yet the blond had spent the money without a thought so that Seth could retain as much independence as possible. As his tears fell, he felt an arm being placed around his shoulder, and knew that Mike was there. It was tempting to just fall into his arms, but he resisted, and began to blink away the tears. He had to be strong if he was to survive all of this…
"So, a bright colour scheme would be best, I think; primary colours…"
"Yeah, I would agree for in here; bright and cheerful," said Artie, noticing that the sadness that was afflicting Seth had begun to spread to Mike. "I would go for a more muted scheme in the bedroom though; a pale green might be nice, something that weill make you feel restful when the day has been too tiring and stressful. It should be a sanctuary away from all your troubles; maybe some scented candles, plants, muted lighting…." Artie paused as he noticed both of the others staring at him, hints of smiles on their faces. "Hey, don't look at me like that; a man should know about interior design. Kitty leaves magazines around, and yes, I read them. In any case, the green is the same colour we have in our bedroom, which is on the same level as this room, with a similar aspect, and it is very calming…"
"It actually does sound it," mused Seth. "So a bright blue in here, a pale green in the bedroom, and leave all the rest the same off white as they are just now. That would suit me very well. I won't need to change it, and it will be easier to change afterwards."
"Right, I will let the contractor know and they can start on it," replied Mike, and with a nod he headed out to do just that. He waited until he was outside to swipe the tears from the corners of his eyes. It had not dawned on him until that moment that this could very well be Seth's final home, that his life could well draw to its conclusion within those four walls. He was just so young after all, and it hurt to even think about it…
Back in the apartment, Seth had headed back to the bedroom, and Artie had left him to be alone for a few minutes. He stood there and looked out of the window into the back garden, which was filled with mature trees and plants. He had to admit that a few extra plants in the room would be nice, but they should be cacti, or air plants; nothing that would die if they did not get watered after he passed away….
"This might seem out of place and awkward, but I am going to say it anyway; when the time comes I would be happy to help you with learning how to manage with a chair, if you would like. The people that they have in hospitals for that sort of thing are all very well meaning, but they don't live that way day to day; someone who does could probably be of more help."
Seth turned round to face Artie, who was not looking at him with pity, or sadness; his face was that of a friend anxious to assist another. "Thank you, I would actually appreciate that. It will take me a while to get used to my new reality of course…"
"It does," Artie replied. "When I had my accident and they told me I would never walk again, it felt like my whole world had ended. I was alive, but at such a young age I didn't want to be. I mean, I loved to dance before, and if this hadn't happened to me, I might have been just like Mike… However, I know now that it is all just a part of the plan, and you just have to accept what you are given and get on with it. The fact that you know where you are going when the time comes, who will be there to welcome you, must be a comfort of sorts. The fact that you will be restored to the old you must be an even greater source of pleasure. I would love to ask whether I will still be in my chair as an angel, or if I will be able to walk again, but I daren't ask in case I don't like the answer…"
"I would assume it will be the latter," said Seth. "I can't imagine that wings and a chair are all that compatible…"
"I am kind of hoping for that to be the case. I want to finally be able to dance around a room with my wife in my arms." Seth nodded, and then, hearing Mike coming back, he began to gather himself to head back to his current home. He was sure now that he would be very happy in this little apartment, until it was time for him to leave New York for good…
Next door, Roderick had been observing the comings and goings at the adjacent house for the last few weeks. It was a testament to the people that had originally constructed the brownstone houses that he had not heard any noise through the walls at all for the last few weeks, even though there had to have been drilling and hammering as the work progressed. He was going to miss his trips to the West Village every weekday when they came to an end in three weeks or so. David's work at the UN was nearly done, Mercedes album was recorded and her pregnancy all the more obvious, and so their return to Boston was imminent.
Roderick knew that for the latter, at 31 weeks pregnant, the trip to her own home could not come soon enough, and all she hoped was that Simon's sibling did not decide to put in their appearance early. Looking around, he could see that she had already begun to pack up a lot of the personal items, the things they had accumulated in their stay in the city, not that there was much of it. Some of them had already been sent back to Massachusetts for Mitch to stow away in cupboards. As for him, he had found a new two bedroom apartment that was close to his work and the University for Gideon; a place that was well within their price range as a couple. He would move in officially two days prior to David and Mercedes' return. It had also fallen to him to break the news that Gabriel and his wife were also expecting to hear the patter of tiny feet soon, which had made them all smile…
Roderick knew he was going to miss David and Mercedes, and little Simon even more, but New York was home, and he could not imagine living in Boston. All he could hope now was that Barbra had inherited more of her father's nature, and less of her mother's divaesque tendencies. The more there was of the latter, the more chance there was of him being driven insane. He hoped with all sincerity that such things were not the real reason that his predecessor had quit, and not the homesickness that Sam had told him…
For everyone, the next two weeks were a complete blur; for some there were those final tests to be taken so that they could obtain the qualifications that would set them on their chosen path in life. Edward would pass his final practical session on a Thursday morning, and by that evening he had the qualifications he needed to practice as a dental surgeon. His housemates had already clubbed together to buy an old fashioned brass plaque that he could put up beside the door to the surgery that he would call his own. They had headed out as a group the previous weekend to the little riverside town that he and Colin would soon call home, and they had all been in agreement that the set up was pretty idyllic. It was almost a larger version of the community in Vermont that Luke and Duncan would soon be heading back to. It had a fair number of commuters, being close to New York and with a station on the Metro North; one of the first changes that Edward was going to implement at the surgery was to the opening hours. He intended to close one weekday and open on a Saturday instead for their convenience, and ensure they came to him and not a surgery in the city. He even would be open to trying the occasional Sunday opening if he felt there was enough demand…
Colin would pass the last of his exams the following day; a similar plaque listing his qualifications had also been bought, and would be placed above the door to the pharmacy. The town was small enough that it did not have a Walgreens or a CVS, so the business should flourish as it always had done under the new owner. Like his husband, he too had a plan to capture the business of those that spent the majority of each weekday out of town. A script for drugs that was handed in first thing in the morning would be made up and be available to collect when they returned home. He then realised that he could do the opposite too, and make up drug orders overnight. For his plan to work he knew he would need to be on duty Monday to Friday at the time the commuter trains arrived back to give instant service. He was also intrigued by a concept he had seen online, whereby the customer could take a photo of their script on their cellphone, mail it to him, and thus when they arrived back it would be waiting for them to collect.
The same day that Colin passed saw Luke and Duncan sitting their finals; the extra years at grad school had paid off, and they both felt confident that they could face any issue in the family business without qualms of any sort….
It was also the day that Skylar finished his exams, but in the words of all of his tutors, those tests were just an exercise in academics for him. He had made the grade as far as they were concerned weeks ago; his designs were highly commended, contemporary but in harmony with their surroundings at all times. The fact that he preferred a more retro style to the boxes of glass and steel that had somehow gained precedence was well known; such a thing was not frowned upon at all, particularly not by the Dean of the school, who had watched Skylar with interest almost from day one. For that reason he was glad to hear that he was leaving the metropolis to work in a smaller city, somewhere that they would acknowledge his talents and allow him to create buildings of beauty, not just the bland functionality that seemed to be in favour in so many circles in New York.
If he could have arranged it, he might have tried to get Skylar placed on the team that was starting on the project to rebuild Penn Station and Madison Square Garden. The idea was that the station would be rebuilt in a way that evoked the neo-classical lines that the old station had enjoyed. A light and airy space was to be created, a replacement for the dark box of the 1960s. At first glance the proposals for the new Madison Square were also impressing critics. The city was starting to learn from the errors of the past, at least in its public projects; it was just a pity that so much of the old had already been ruthlessly destroyed…
A brass plaque had also been ordered with Skylar's name and qualifications upon it, to be screwed onto his office door, but it was not in New York. It sat instead in Thad's room at Dalton, a much more practical location. It could be given to him at the wedding, now just a week away… Skylar had expected to be a bag of nerves as the day came closer, but he found instead that he was eager for his new life to begin. His new employers had already presented him with his first assignment; the sympathetic restoration of an old factory building in Columbus. It had been built in high Art Deco style, and the challenge he faced was how to retain the beautiful façade and the features of the former office spaces within the building whilst turning it into a contemporary living space. He had been afforded a quick tour of the premises on the day of his interview, and had made suggestions which had helped cement him in the post. Now he would have to bring all that into his plans and ensure he satisfied the clients and the conservation lobby, no easy task…
As well as this, he had another, more personal project. Julia's uncle was giving them a parcel of land on the outskirts of Westerville, not far from Dalton, as a wedding gift, so that they could create their own home. He was a little overwhelmed with the generosity of the gift, but it meant that he and Julia could live their married life in the home of their dreams. They both had ideas, but there was, as yet, only one thing that Skylar knew for certain; the house had to be accessible to someone in a chair, and therefore ready for the day that Seth might need their support.
For Seth it was a time of very mixed emotions. He was overjoyed that his best friend was about to marry the woman that he loved. Julia was all that he could have hoped for in a wife for him; attractive, intelligent, independent in thought and deed. She complimented him and shared the same standards and beliefs. He knew that they would be together for the long haul, growing old together surrounded by their children. He of course would not be there to witness that in his current form; no matter what the rosy prognosis that some painted, he knew his time was short. The medication was working for now, but it would not be effective forever. It would stop working in time, unable to fight the genetic malfunctions that had doomed him to an early demise.
His one comfort in the face of the knowledge that he was doomed to die was that Skylar was going to be happy, and that was enough for him, most of the time. On other days though he did feel a desperate sense of loneliness and despair; the knowledge that his five housemates, the people he was closest to in the city would all be gone in a little over three months time, broke his heart. Still, he had plans of his own. His new place would be ready before Nick and Jeff came home, and he would move in before Edward and Colin left the big house. That would let those two start their own married life together in a new town on time with no sense of guilt. He smiled as he thought about the conversation they had had the night before, about Edwin's plans for a trip to Europe in July, to see a bit of the world before running their own businesses made such a lengthy trip unfeasible. He was glad they could consider that, and not be a burden to them, thanks to his new home.
On each morning in the week that would culminate in the wedding, Seth put on a smile. He had offered to help Skylar with his packing, but his friend had told him that he would be able to manage on his own; he suspected that those words came because Skylar suspected that he would become quite emotional as all the personal touches were taken from the room next to his own. In truth, Skylar had said it because he knew that he would become upset if Seth was there; they would start to reminisce about an object, their shared past, and they would not get the work done as they tried to hold back the tears. He had however agreed that Skylar could travel to Ohio with him in the truck he had hired to move his boxes, and bring his life, and part of Julia's, back to their home state.
She had of course already left the city; the post that she had found in Ohio had asked if she could start before her wedding to cover a shortage of staff. She had agreed, on the condition that she could take two weeks off after her big day. That would allow the newlyweds to have a honeymoon before the time came for Skylar to head into the office every day. They would not be going abroad, but had taken up a kind offer from one of Julia's aunts to use her condo in Florida for a week with no hint of complaint.
He was actually looking forward to the road trip now his best friend would be with him. Of course, Seth would not be a co-driver, having surrendered his driving licence at the start of the year. He had done so as a precaution, stating that he would have to give it up in any case eventually, and it wasn't as if he needed to drive living in the city. The announcement had not been questioned by anyone, even though he currently seemed to be well in Skylar's eyes. He just chalked it up to his friend's acceptance of his fate, something that never ceased to amaze and indeed inspire him.
They would leave the city on Wednesday morning, giving them plenty of time to get to Ohio, and have a rest before they attended the traditional graduation ceremony on Friday. Thad had told them that he would introduce them then to the group of young men that would be taking their places in the West Village house, all being well, in the late summer. It would also be the perfect chance for Seth and Mrs Carmichael to iron out any glitches, and for that reason, Seth had opted to stay with Thad at Dalton once they arrived, rather than with the groom. As Colin and Edward would be staying at the Willetts, Skylar would still be well cared for by groomsmen anyway.
When the time came for leaving the city, Skylar had requested that there be no fuss, but of course his wished were ignored. He had kept his diner uniform until the last, working a shift for Michelle on the Monday evening, noting the bump that was now showing as her pregnancy came along nicely. He went back the following day to hand back his keys, and found himself being given a surprise party. All of the Warblers in the city were present, including David, who came with apologies from Mercedes, who felt too tired to join them that evening. Most of the New Directions alumni in the city were in attendance too, wanting to wish him well in his new life. The other promise that he heard more than once that night was that they would look after Seth for him, and he was grateful for that. If he had not been so certain that they all would already, he might well never have agreed to leave in any circumstances.
He took to the Spotlight's stage for one final time then, and sang several songs; he belted out New York, New York, and then Why oh why oh why oh, Did I ever leave Ohio?, which earned him huge laughs and cheers. That done, he headed home through the streets to the West Village one final time, with a silent Seth by his side in a group of people he called his brothers and friends…
The following morning saw Skylar head out early to collect the U-Haul, then he headed back to the West Village to collect all of the boxes that he had packed, via the storage unit where Julia's remaining things were. He was assisted in the loading up of the van by Luke, Duncan and Edward; Colin had been called into a shift at Duane Reed where he remained on the rota; he was covering for an assistant pharmacist in his usual store. It was good experience, and given that he was now legitimately able to dispense without consulting the pharmacist, he felt great pride. It was a far cry from the days when his role in the store was to sit at a cash desk and do nothing more than sell a bag of mints…
Seth had been kept occupied, at Skylar's request, in ensuring that all of the boxes were properly secured and labelled. He knew that the role had only been created as his friend did not want him to be lifting and carrying, and if he was honest, he was glad, as he no longer trusted himself with those once simple tasks. His own bag was the last thing that was taken out to the van, but it went into the cab, so that when the time came for him to get out at Dalton, he would not cause too much delay. Seth climbed into the cab and watched as three housemates said goodbye to the fourth; there were hugs and sad faces, as they all knew that this was the beginning of the end of an era…
The Skylar was in the driving seat and they were off, heading into the traffic. By chance there was a gap in the line of parked vehicles right outside Duane Reed, and Skylar pulled in, then blew the horn repeatedly. A few moments later and he was back on the sidewalk, hugging Colin, thus ensuring that he did not miss out on his chance to say farewell. Then it was back on course to the Holland Tunnel, and the start of their 9 hour or so road trip. With the city and suburbs left behind it began to seem more like one; with the music on, they sang along to the tunes that they knew; it seemed like an adventure instead of the end of something that they had both known for so long. The miles flew by quickly, the journey a happy and uneventful one…
In the end though Skylar was pulling in to the familiar driveway at Dalton, and they both felt an overwhelming sadness hit them. Tonight, for the first time in years, they would be going to bed miles apart; indeed, apart from Seth's year in New York, they had been close since the day that a young Skylar was allocated to Seth as a dorm mate. Back then, holidays had split them up at times, but Seth had usually ended up at the Willetts for some of the time back then. This time the separation would be permanent. The actual moment would come when Seth climbed out of the cab, and that could happen in one of two ways….
In the end, the presence of Thad and Mrs Carmichael at the door ensured that it happened quickly, which was the best way really; it was the equivalent of tearing off a band aid. As Mrs Carmichael engaged Skylar in conversation, Thad was helping Seth out at the other side, then walked him round to stand next to the ex-Principal's wife.
"It is getting late Skylar; best get on to your folks. I take it we will see you here on Friday for the ceremony?" asked Thad.
"Of course! Yes, you are right, it is getting late," replied Skylar. Then he looked straight at his best friend. "Thanks for everything Seth. I would probably not be here now if you hadn't looked out for me back in the dark days. I will never, ever be able to repay you for all that you have done for me."
"It has been my pleasure… anyways, you take care on the drive, and give my best to your folks," replied Seth. Skylar nodded, then drove away slowly, because his eyes were starting to mist up. Seth meanwhile waved until the van disappeared round a bend, and only then did he allow himself to burst into the tears he had been holding back. In an instant he found himself wrapped up in the arms of Thad and Mrs Carmichael, anxious to comfort him as the world he knew changed…