Ch 19 The Best
"Who was that?" Bogg asked, and Jeff could hear the tension in his voice.
"Tom, he's going to bring us supper in about an hour, hopefully you'll feel like eating by then."
"That's good, did Tom take care of you yesterday?"
"He was great," Jeff said, settling on a chair close to the bed. "That's the best book I've ever read," he suddenly blurted out.
Phineas smiled through the pain, "it can't be the best."
"Well, it does have a certain now-ness to it," Jeff explained as he laughed, "anyway, it's really, really good."
"I'm glad you like it, why don't you go back to it for now, I just wanna lay here and let the medicine work."
Jeff nodded and went back to the chair to read. An hour later, Phineas got up for supper and afterward they played a few games of cards with Phineas trying to manage them one handed the best he could. Jeff helped him take more medication before bed and once during the middle of the night. By morning the pain was a lot less.
Phineas opened his eyes at 8 AM and realized how much better he felt. The pain was still there of course, but much improved. He sat up and glanced around the room. Jeff rolled over and stretched in the other bed. When he realized Bogg was sitting up, he immediately got up and went to him, "what do you need?"
"How bout some breakfast?"
"How's your shoulder?"
"Not too bad, we should walk around today, get some exercise."
So Jeff brought breakfast up and they ate together. After a short rest they walked up and down the second floor hallway. Phineas seemed to get better every minute.
As they finished lunch, Jeff asked a question, "so how did you find such a great book to give me? I mean, there must be thousands of books in print. And how did you find Ralph?"
"Oh, I'm pretty smart with books you know," Bogg joked, "and Tom helped me track down Ralph." After a short pause he continued, "ready for one lap outside, around the building?"
"You sure you're up for that?"
"It's doctor's orders. I have to start physical therapy tomorrow and before then I have to be able to walk twice around the outside of the lodge. We can do one lap now, and then after I rest a bit, we can do two in a row. Then, starting tomorrow, you can go down to the barn and work with the filly when I'm at therapy twice a day."
Jeff's face brightened up immediately, "this is a great birthday Bogg," he said in an earnest voice.
That evening they attended the Halfway Dance. Jeffrey found out it was called that because the reunion was half over.
"Voyagers sure have long reunions," Jeff observed as they sat at a table listening to the music.
"Yeah, well, we also have horrible hours, and no time off for holidays, weekends, or vacations."
"Hey, isn't that Tom in the band?" Jeff asked, craning his neck to see one of the musicians as the music stopped.
"Yeah, he plays the guitar," Phineas answered.
"Wow, he must be really talented. What's going on now?" Jeff asked, as the musicians left the stage and another full set of voyagers took their place and began to play."
"They're just letting everyone have a turn."
"Everyone?" Jeff asked in shock.
"Well, everyone who wants to play."
"But how could so many people want to play in the band? I mean, isn't it kind of rare to do that?"
"All voyagers have to master at least one instrument if they can. While I was sailing and taking care of you, they were getting back in practice. Now they can have fun playing together. We did that all the time back in school."
Tom joined them a moment later, "you sounded great," Jeff told him.
"Thanks, how ya doin?" he asked Bogg. He had kept an eye on them throughout the day and already knew the answer to the question, but he thought he'd ask to be sociable.
Phineas chuckled and shook his head, "you've been watching us all day, you tell me."
Tom cocked his head to the side, "you think you're so smart."
"I'm gonna win tonight too," Phineas continued with a smile.
"No way," Tom answered.
"Win at what?" Jeff asked them both as Jane approached and sat down.
"Looks like you're doing great," she said to Phineas.
"Thanks, yeah Jeff's taking good care of me."
Jeff smiled at the mention of his name. "Win at what?" he repeated.
"The Awards for the competitions will be given out tonight," Phineas answered him.
Jane stayed and chatted with them for quite awhile, until Ellen and another girl Bogg had seen around stopped at their table. Jeffrey walked around the room while Bogg was entertained by the women and listened to a choral group in one lobe of the large room, and an orchestra in another. The band in the part of the room where they were sitting kept changing musicians and types of music every half-hour or so. All in all, there was a lot to see, hear and do and he enjoyed finding out about all the things voyagers did at their reunions.
When Professor Garth took the stage and called for everyone's attention he headed back to Bogg and slid in beside him, "you still okay?" he whispered.
Bogg nodded, "they're doing the awards now."
There was lots of cheering as the awards were handed out. To Jeff's surprise, when the sailing awards were given, Tom's name was called. His face fell, he'd been sure that Bogg would win.
"Told ya," Tom joked as he smiled and walked up to the stage to receive it.
"I'm just lulling you into a false sense of security, just wait til next time," Phineas joked as he looked at the award when Tom returned.
"Yeah, I'm already scared."
They stayed until the end and Phineas enjoyed the attentions of several more of the women before they went back upstairs.
ooOoo
"I thought you were gonna win the sailing contest, it's all you've been talking about," Jeff said as they got ready for bed. His disappointment was evident.
"I love sailing, but Tom's a better sailor," Phineas told him. He sighed. it had been kind of nice having someone think he was the best voyager, but the truth was that though he was an excellent Field Worker, he was just one among many. It was about time Jeff found that out, he was growing up after all.
"Your shoulder was hurt, that's probably why."
"Actually Tom has more natural ability than I do," he paused, "don't tell him that."
"But you were a pirate!"
"I wasn't a very good pirate either."
Jeff's jaw dropped open, "what do you mean?"
"I wasn't bloodthirsty enough to be a very good pirate." He paused and looked at Jeff, "actually, the truth is, I'm not really the best at anything." There, he had finally said it. He wondered what Jeff's response would be.
"You'll always be the best to me," Jeff said immediately, in a serious tone, "you're the one who saved me."
"Any voyager would have jumped out that window after you."
"Yeah, they would, but that's not what I meant. You kept me with you, that's what really saved me. And no other voyager would've done that." He paused and smiled at Bogg. "Kids always think their parents are the best. No sense in arguing, I'm as stubborn as a mule, remember?"