Oliver stepped from the tent to find that Joe was hard at work, building a fire in order to cook breakfast. After exchanging greetings, Oliver became his willing helper. Soon, a fabulous repast of bacon, sausages, eggs and French toast was sizzling over the flames. Oliver began to get the coffee percolator ready. Joe remarked that Shane was having a sleep in, but Oliver laughed stated with certainty, 'I predict that Sleeping Beauty will emerge in about two minutes.'
Joe looked unconvinced. 'How can you be that precise?'
Oliver gestured to the coffee brewing. 'I know my wife. There are few things that Shane loves more than sleeping in – good chocolate and designer shoes perhaps, but the smell of fresh coffee might just be the only way to rouse her from slumber.'
A voice was heard from the opening of the tent. 'Only good coffee though, not swill from a Mr. Coffee.'
Soon, the trio were well on the way to demolishing the food and coffee. Joe looked over at his daughter-in-law, remarking, 'That is a nice plaid shirt you have there, Shane.'
Shane smiled beatifically over the rim of her coffee mug. Before she could answer, Oliver interjected. 'That comes from this year's range. I believe the collection is called Pilfered.'
Shane giggled, then fluttered her eyelashes, saying, 'What's yours is mine, Husband.'
Oliver raised an eyebrow, replying, 'So you keep telling me.'
-ooooOOOOOoooo- -ooooOOOOOoooo-
Joe was walking first on the trail, with Shane next and Oliver in the back. Another 10 minutes would see them arriving at the destination for today's hike, a small lake, perfect for Joe and Oliver to do a little fishing, and for Shane to do a little en plein air sketching.
Coming upon a simply glorious vista, Joe stopped to admire the stunning scenery. Not turning to the others, he said, 'You see Olly? Sometimes you need to get out in nature and admire the beauty, don't you?'
Oliver was quick to reply. 'Indeed Dad. I have been appreciating the beauty of creation ever since we began our hike.'
Something in Oliver's tone caused his wife to turn and narrow her eyes at him with suspicion. He attempted to appear nonchalant, but Shane decided he was looking decidedly….shifty. Dropping her day pack, she turned towards him. Seemingly unable to keep a straight face, he remarked, 'Well, this view is lovely too, but I must admit I was very taken with the other one.'
Realising that her very proper husband was talking about the view of her in very fitting leggings, she took a quick glance to ensure Joe was still looking at the actual view, then calmly punched Oliver in the shoulder. When he called for a 'medic', she may have done it again.
-ooooOOOOOoooo- -ooooOOOOOoooo-
Arriving at the lake, Oliver, Shane and Joe shared the lunch that Shane had prepared. A selection of sandwiches and fruit, washed down with a thermos of fruit tea (which Joe had eyed suspiciously, but after a sip declared delicious). Returning the remains to their packs, the O'Tooles moved to their afternoon activities. Joe and Oliver assembled fishing poles and gear, and Shane took a sketchbook, drawing materials and a small palette of watercolours from her kit. She found inspiration almost instantly, and began to create. Oliver and Joe were taking the opportunity that fishing gave then to have a long avoided, but very satisfactory conversation. Surprisingly, it was Oliver who asked the first question.
'Dad,' he began hesitantly, 'Could you tell me why you quit the Post Office?'
Joe looked at his son carefully. Oliver was not upset, he decided, but rather looked as if he really wanted to know.
Joe stared out across the lake.
'I really wish that we could have communicated even a little better back then. Partially, I was worried about money. I thought that you going to college was going to be a bigger burden that it was. I wanted to provide for you, but of course, you didn't need it.' Joe looked at Oliver, his focus entirely on his son.
'Fed-Ex paid substantially better than the Post Office, so I jumped ship. I should have known that you would have some plan of your own. I was so proud of the scholarships you won. I was also so proud of the part time job you took with the USPS to pay your own way. I realized that you didn't need me, and because we seemed to be getting further and further apart, I thought that I would give you your own space… clear out for you to be the O'Toole at the Denver PO. That's why I took the job in Cambridge.'
'Dad, I'm sorry…' Oliver began. 'No, Son. We needed time. We've had it, and now we have each other in our lives again. Everything is as it should be.'
The pair sat quietly, enjoying the peace, not only the peace that they felt in their surroundings, but also in their own hearts.
Shane had been busy with her sketching, but she had also been keeping a careful eye on her family. Their conversation seemed to be over, so she made her way over to the fishermen. 'Catch anything?' she asked.
The two fishermen assured her that the had not, but she was very pleased to see that neither looked disappointed about that.
-ooooOOOOOoooo- -ooooOOOOOoooo-
