Trish and I got James and Cathy’s luggage out of her sister's car and put it into our Ford Explorer before we sat down for the usual Malley Sunday dinner. It amazed my uncle and aunt to learn that we were God parents to two small babies that shared our name. Dan and Carla briefly explained how we met. I noticed that James accepted it without question, but Cathy did not. I thought I might be learning something about my aunt that I did not know.
While we were driving back to our home when I got asked by my aunt “Scott can Trish and you afford the responsibility of raising someone else’s children when you’re just starting out?”
Trish saw me get a huge smile on my face. I knew my aunt was asking out of concern not for what we were doing but because she was concerned about our own economic wellbeing. She didn’t want to see us going through what they had.
I replied. “Aunt Cathy I learned young from watching the two of you struggle to build a better life for yourselves while raising children. Even when you couldn’t afford it you would give and do more than you should have. I saw it as a self-sacrificing act done out compassion for those who had less blessing than you did. Trish and I have those same values.”
Uncle James would end up telling me before they left that my aunt felt that I had given her the greatest compliment in her life.
Since it was already dark when we were heading home, I knew the preset timer would have turned some of the outside lights on. Driving past the front of my property my aunt commented on the cuteness of the little cottage.
I told Trish I was going to park at the front of the house and unload the luggage from there. When my aunt realized we were pulling into the cottage she was surprised to see just how large it was.
“What you see from the main road is the side of the house from the second level,” Trish explained. “Scott designed it that way to give him privacy. Crooks looking for a place to break into will drive past this because it leaves one with the thought there wouldn’t be anything worth taking because the place appears to be so small.”
I popped the trunk and handed the keys to Trish. My uncle James seeing me doing that commented your house key is for an electronic lock. He and I got the suitcases out and followed the ladies in.
James followed me as we took their suitcases into the house. With the open layout he could see the antique dinning set with sitting for twelve and the matching two china cabinets and hutches as soon as we entered through the front door.
“That alone,” he said, “explains why you have the kind of locks you do. That’s an exquisite set that looks like it came out a house belonging to the rich and famous.”
“I should have known,” Cathy said, “That Peter would have taught you what had value in antique furniture. Now I believe all the things about you that I have heard. I’m sorry but life has taught us not to accept what most others say.”
Trish gave me a look that implied that she knew how she felt.
James and I took their luggage up to the second floor into what had been my bedroom. He was impressed by the size of it and commented that he couldn’t afford to rent a hotel suite as nice as this. When we had come back down, we learned that Trish had poured us all drinks. With them, in hand, she gave James and Cathy the royal tour of the top two levels.
“I understand the need for the electronic locks and your security system,” James said. “The antique furniture here is outstanding and worth a lot of money.”
“Uncle James,” Trish said, “Most of this was bought on the cheap over the years during the annual one hundred mile yard sale and restored by Scott himself. The bottom two floors are filled with more just as nice as the ones we use every day, but there is one set I value in the house more than anything else.”
She handed me her drink and clapped her hand. The Hungarian carousel began playing catching their attention.
“I met Scott for the first time in my life trying to buy them and they were not in this good of condition,” Trish said emotionally. “They were a set of three. Scott is still restoring the third one for me.”
“Your sister Terry sent us the videos of how the two of you connected,” Cathy said. “We have watched it over and over again. I was amazed by the way Scott could disguise himself.”
We were relaxing in the living room talking about things on my side of the family and what was going on in their lives. For Trish it must have seemed overwhelming because my mother had been the tenth out of seventeen. I quietly texted Trish to get one of my new books.
My aunt Cathy had a look of pride in her eyes when she said, “The rest of the family would not believe how good your life has turned out to be. Even if they saw it, they would question how you came into possession of what you have. Most extended family because they don’t know you believe you ran off and became a crook as if you were following your father’s footsteps.”
Trish slipped into the office and got one placing it in a gift bag and came back out.
“Cathy do you still do your reading by getting books from the local library?” I asked.
“All the time, the only set of books I have ever bought is by the silent one, and that was after I had signed out and read his first one,” she said. “Those books are about real-life like situations and not designed for the faint of heart. His stories at times can be hard to read because of the problems his characters are dealing with. It’s definitely not an escape from life because they deal with personal situations that we can all relate to today. How he can go from cold and distant to loving and warm with his characters is something rarely seen.”
“The depth of his character development in his writings and the journey with it is a pleasure to see developed through till the end. You can’t help getting emotionally involved when reading his books, for they always draw you in,” she explained. “Learning how they work things out provides a lesson for all who discern it and makes them a better person because it forces them to see things in a different light.”
“Aunt Cathy this is a gift from us to you,” Trish said handing it to her.
Trish and I watched as my aunt opened up the gift bag taking the tissues out to discover the latest edition to my growing list of books. Uncle James had to hold her tight as she came to terms with what she was seeing. The book would be coming out at the start of the next month.
“Aunt Cathy don’t feel embarrassed we all reacted like you when Scott did this to us,” Trish said. “The day after we got engaged. Until then none of us had a clue.”
“Trish,” Cathy said. “You don’t see it. Scott in each of his books has been slowly healing from the shame, the loneliness, the pain, and the tears brought upon him because of his parent's conduct and society's view of the situation at that time. When he writes an emotional scene out, he’s bringing understanding to what happened to him in the past. At the age of seven, his childhood ended. It had to have left questions in him that he’s always been trying to answer.”
“Scott had to become a man in every sense because he no longer had a mother or father to support him. Those who took him in despised him. The reason the farmer to the north was such a good friend is that he taught Scott,” James said, “how to work things out in his mind just like an adult would. It was Mr. Tait that gave Scott the tools he needed back then not only on how survive but to build himself a better life. It also explains why your Scott our Albert took his last name.”
“When everything that happened between his parents until their death was brought out,” Cathy said, “Most in the family thought if they hadn’t of had brought Scott into the world, they would have quietly divorced. The only reason the two of them stayed together because neither of them would give up custody of Scott. So, family all assigned him the blame.”
Trish gasped at the revelation because it was something she would never have put together. What Scott’s uncle and aunt said made sense. Divorce back then was not as acceptable as it was today. Society was finding its way to adjust to it.
Her Scott had been forced by circumstances to grow up long before most others. Now the situation with Linda made more sense to her because Scott was just passing on the life skills he had been given.
“The kids he had to go to school with were told to cross the street if they saw him walking towards them. Even as an innocent child he was to be publicly shunned. Hell, even his legal guardian’s limited their association with him because of the public’s views,” Cathy said. “My mother-in-law to this day curses the ground he walks on. Her hate for him is so consuming that we don’t dare mention his name.”
“The neighbor to the north who became his best friend saved him from a beating he was getting because of what his father had done. Some of them were his own cousins. I never understood until now why I never saw Scott cry,” Cathy said with authority.
Trish was shocked. She looked at me as if she were seeing me in a new light. She grabbed my hand.
“Billy and Bobbie worship the ground you walk on because of the way you relate to them,” Trish said. “I never understood that behaving like a kid and playing with them is giving you something you never had. Through their eyes you’re learning what it was like to be a normal child.”
“One of the first things the neighbor to the north Peter Robert Tait taught me was that in the walk of life we all end up experiencing the same things in diverse ways at different times in our life,” I explained. “How we manage it molds us into what we are.”
“The reason no one saw me cry was that he taught me to hold it in until I was alone. Crying was normal, it was part of the grieving and healing process. But to do it in front of those who were trying to harm or hurt you would be giving victory to them and that was what they wanted. Once I learned that it wasn’t long until the kids left me alone,” I explained.
“I have often wondered where your mental toughness came from,” said James. “With what I saw you going through I tried to get you to open up and talk but you always held it in. I now understand why. Peter, in all honesty, taught you what most of us had to learn the hard ways for years.”
“Peter Tait taught the little boy to be a man,” Cathy said. “It fortified you in many ways. That’s allowed you to accomplish what you have in life. If it became public knowledge, it would prove to all of them still around who knew you back then that you’re a better man than all of them. I hope you are proud of your walk in life because you should be. I know I am.”
Shortly after that, we called it a night.
Trish and I were lying in our bed cuddling unwinding from the day. For me it had been an epic day.
“I hope you were pleased with your birthday party,” Trish said.
Getting no answer, she looked up at me to discover that I was quietly crying.
“It’s the first time I have celebrated it since I was seven. I found everything everybody did completely overwhelming,” I said. “I don’t know how I was able to make it through the day.”
“You’re stronger than you realize,” Trish said. “It’s clearly apparent in everything you do. You being you carries me. In all that I do.”
--------------------
Trish called in and was granted the week off by the new supervisor of her department her best friend Jennifer. I called the attorney general and got permission to use banked hours unless something major came up. Trish and I made our guests a breakfast of omelets, bacon, and pan-fried potatoes. After getting dressed we took them for a tour of our estate. Leaving through the back of the garage to the outside.
Behind the double row of Canadian hemlock was another world. Trish took great pride in showing off our woodworking shop with numerous items in the stages of being restored. My uncle James was really impressed. So much so that we spend a whole day working out there together before he left. For both of us it was a labor of love that bonded us together. Then it was into the warehouse where we stored the items purchased or repaired for distribution in the days before Christmas. The third building was my car collection which totaled out at twelve.
I explained that this year we would have twenty rented trucks making ten deliveries each on the afternoon and evening of the twenty-fourth until they were done. Each truck would have three people in it, and they would receive a thousand dollars each for working that night in cash. For some of those receiving the gifts, it would be the best Christmas they ever had. Each drop was designed for the residences individual needs.
James and Cathy stayed for four days. I really enjoyed their visit. It was nice to be able to reconnect with ones I considered family. I had Pat send me by overnight courier a few more copies of my book.
********
On Thursday Helen called because she needed a favor. It was her assistant's birthday and she wanted to do something special. Amy Witt her unmarried assistant was celebrating her birthday and because of what was going on she had forgotten about it. Trish and I agreed to take out for an extended lunch.
Over lunch, we got into a great discussion about the silent one’s work. Trish was shocked at how much she knew and the questions that she felt were left unanswered. It was her thought that although each book was a stand-alone story. Each one could have a sequel because of the unresolved issues some of the characters were dealing with.
When the time allowed it, I slipped away to use the men’s room. Then I slipped out to sign a copy of the book ‘Tearstained Buttercup Eyes.’ We lost track of time and it was almost three o’clock in the afternoon when we got her back to her job. She had been gone for over three hours. We escorted her back in carrying a little gift bag.
Amy went back to work, and we went into Mom’s office giving her the bag suggesting she wait till the end of the day to give it to her. Mom asked what was in the gift bag. I replied, a signed copy of my book.
Helen waited until it was just about check out time to call Amy into the office. As soon as she was through the door Helen said, “Best close the door behind you and take a seat.”
“Okay, what’s up?” Amy asked as she sat down.
“I wanted to give you the second part of your birthday present,” Helen said. “But first of all, I want to hear about your luncheon with my future son in law and my daughter.”
“Scott and I kind of took over the conversation when I said my favorite author was the Silent One,” Amy said. “He has such an immanent understanding of the author's writing. I was surprised how eager he was in hearing what I had to say and what my views were. I guess we got carried away because it was such a stimulating conversation. He not only listened to my opinions but would ask me what had made me come to that conclusion. It was nice to have a conversation with someone who truly valued what I had to say. I’m sorry for getting back so late.”
“That’s great to hear,” Helen said as she placed the gift bag in front of her.
Amy removed the tissue and took out the card. Inside were two invitations, one for the book revealing party, and the second for the wedding and reception. She couldn’t understand why the book revealing was included because she would be working it. Helen was pleased to see the expressions running through Amy’s face. She was already thrilled to death. Amy reached in and pulled out the gift box. Opening up the top she discovered it was the book she been counting the days down until she could purchase it. Helen knew she was having a hard time believing it.
“Open it up and read out loud what is written inside,” Helen suggested.
Amy turned the first couple of pages until she found it. “Trish and I really enjoyed our discussion with you this afternoon. I thank you for the stimulation and insight you have given me. I hope we can do it again soon. Signed James Scott Tait the silent one.”
Amy lost it just as Helen figured she would. In less than a week, the book would be released, and Scott's secret would be out in the world. When she had suggested this to Scott, he hadn’t hesitated when he learned that meeting him was Amy’s biggest dream.
It was his idea to do it this way. She now saw the wisdom in his thinking. It had allowed Amy to be herself and not be intimidated because of who he was. Amy had opened up freely in a frank way discussing what she loved about his writings and the need for questions to be answered because of them.
Amy turned the book over to look at the picture on the back cover. She was clearly in a very emotional moment. Helen understood it was helping Amy to accept what had transpired.
“I had a three-hour discussion with a man who turned out to be the writer I have dreamed about meeting for years,” Amy said. “And for the next four days, I can’t tell a soul about it. How do you do it?”
“It was the day of our anniversary that they got engaged. The very next day my daughter Trish and I learned who he was in the same manner as you just did,” Helen explained. “You really can’t tell anyone because they wouldn’t believe you if you did.”
“Any suggestions on how I can explain the glow, the excitement and the thrill I will have on my face when I get home,” Amy asked. “My mother is going to question me about what happened to cause that until she’s blue in the face.”
“You can tell that you went for lunch with them,” Helen said, “but not anything else.”
********
It was after the not so surprising birthday surprise party was over that Amy had gone to the privacy of her bedroom to start reading her favorite author's latest book. Being the last child at home her mother always went overboard and would until she got married. She had just opened the book when her mother knocked at the door.
“Amy, can I come in for a moment,” She asked. “There is an old picture that I want you to take a look at.”
“Sure Mom,” Amy said as she slid the book under the pillow just before her mother started walking in.
“The last few years of my father’s life were extremely hard for him in a lot of ways. Yet he refused to leave the family farm he had grown up on. He wanted it to remain in the family until his death,” Her mom explained. “There was a young farm boy who was older mentally than his years who stepped in and helped my dad as much as he could.
“The older the boy got the slower my dad became but they bonded tighter than anyone I know. It was as if the young boy was the son that my father never had. They both shared a deep love for wood and antiques. My father said it was like seeing his soul alive in another.”
“My Dad had no son, so he gladly passed on his knowledge to Albert. It was Albert who finally convinced my dad who was eighty-three-years old by that time that it was time he went into the nursing home. His physical heath had deteriorated so bad that he was using two canes to walk with. Albert was afraid he was going to come and find himself hurt and passed out. For the next year, Albert kept the farm up for my dad on his own without being asked,” Amy’s mother explained. “If he felt something needed to be done Albert always cleared with him first. His care and attention to everything allowed us to get the maximum value for it after my father’s death.”
“On Albert’s sixteenth birthday he came into the nursing home to say goodbye. He had been legally declared by the state as an adult and he had gotten the state court to approve his name change. Albert had changed his name to James Scott Tait.”
“When Albert said goodbye, it was because he was leaving to build himself a new life without the stigma of his family’s past. When you told me, you had met your boss's daughter and future son in law I didn’t put it together. Do you recognize someone besides your grandfather in this picture?”
Amy stared at the picture for a few minutes before saying a word. “Mom I am going to let you answer that for yourself.”
Amy turned and reached under the pillow getting the book. Before she brought it out, she turned in over so only the back cover of it could be seen. There was no longer any doubt. Albert the boy was now the man named James Scott Tait.
“Amy the wooden carved bust of my father's face that sits in the living room that still gets compliment about it because of the skill and the details put into it,” Her mother said. “Albert gave that bust to my dad the day he left. He had used Dad’s carving tools for the detailed work.”
“For years I have been storing all of Dad’s homemade curving tools in the garage. It was dad’s dying wish that Albert gets them because to anyone but a master of woodworking, they would be worth nothing.”
Amy got off the bed and captured the image of Scott as a young boy with her cellphone. Then she went down to take a picture of her grandfather’s bust. She texted Helen saying please forward these pictures to Scott as soon as possible along with my phone number.
A few minutes later Amy and her parents were sitting in the kitchen talking about her grandfather's life when her cell phone rang. After answering she put the speaker on.
“This is Amy.”
“This is Scott, it’s been a long time since I have seen a picture of Peter let alone the bust that I made for him,” I said. “How is it that you are in possession of them?”
“I was four years old when my grandfather died,” Amy said. “Mom says he died four months after you left.”
“Which one of his four daughters is your mother?” I asked.
“He always called her Em, but her full name was Ember Marie.
“She is the youngest if I remember right,” I replied.
“Yes, she is but more importantly I need to know how to get something to you from my grandfather,” Amy said. “My mom has been holding on to them for years hoping that fate would allow her to find you.”
“If its small bring it with you when you’re going to work,” I said, “and Helen will get it to me.”
“Albert, its Em, what we are holding for you is Dad’s old homemade chest and all his hand made carving tools,” Ember Marie said, “and a letter he wrote for you. He said to me that only a true master in carving would appreciate the value of the gift.”
“Amy text me your address,” I said in excitement. “Trish and I are on the way.”
********
As I drove my mind went back to the first day, I met Peter Tait. It had been three months since my parent's death. My grandparents had gone into town to do their weekly shopping. They had left me in the town park as they usually did because my grandmother did not want to be seen out in public with me. Just looking at me made her sick because it brought back and made fresh what my dad had done.
Because of her views of me it had made things difficult for all of us until we found our own way of dealing with them. I used the outhouse outside the back of the house, and they left the mud room open when they locked down for the night. That way I could bring in my laundry and use the shower on a daily basis. Granddad always brought me out my meals to make sure I was able to eat if I was not at Peter Tait’s.
That Saturday a couple of my cousins and a few of their friends decided I needed a beat down. Peter had been driving by just as it started. He saw the two boys holding me and the others taking turns hitting me. To him, it just was not right.
He pulled over, got out of his truck, and broke it up. He stayed with me until my grandparents returned to get me, which was about four hours later.
While we talked, he got a piece of wood out of the back of the truck. With a pocketknife, he started working on it. It fascinated me to see it take shape. I ended up asking him all sorts of questions. With a patience, I had never experienced before he answered every question I had. I think we both were inspired by the attention we were giving each other. Later he would say that I had shown more interest in his craft than anybody else in his life, even his own children.
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When my grandfather came back, they had words. I was sent to sit in the back of the truck. I don’t know what was said but from that point on I was allowed to go to Peters place unrestricted whenever I wanted to. From that point on, every weekend and most of my summers were spent at his place. Peter Tait treated me better than those who were related by blood did. My Grandfather was not happy about my relationship with him but never questioned me about it. I believed that the two men hated each other.
Everything I was today, was because of what Peter Tait had taught me. Instead of playing sports or kid's games after school I helped him on his farm. During evenings and spare time, he instilled in me his love of wood and what could be created or made with it. Every night he would drive me home to my loft. I did not understand that with each new project we did he was doing it to teach me something new and not because we needed it. Until this day for me, there is no greater joy for me than seeing something I have done being used and enjoyed.
When his kitchen fire happened because of an electrical short while he was away, I had helped him take the damaged cupboards out. I took the old ones home with his help and the wooden table set that he had built and used for years.
Together we rebuilt his new kitchen from scratch, and I worked after school trying to restore his old ones. I used the old-world methods he had used on small spots needing restoring in a big way. Although it had taken a long time it had worked. I was able to bring most of it back to what it had been before.
One weekend I brought over one of the refinished doors to show him how it now looked. It was the first time I had ever seen him cry. When I asked him, what was wrong.
He said, “nothing these are tears of joy because the student has become the master.”
“When I die, I will go knowing that the skills and knowledge I have will live on in one who will do even better things with it,” Peter said. “In life, there is no greater compliment to a man than to know his knowledge will be in another’s hands who will treasure it as he did.”
Trish knew I was being emotional and said, “Are they good memories going through your mind or bad?”
I quietly replied, “Both, if it weren’t for the man, he was, I wouldn’t be the man I am today. Every piece of furniture I have restored or anything I made with wood has been made whole because of the gift of knowledge from him.”
Trish looked at me for a few without saying anything then said, “He was more a father figure to you than any man in your life. I wonder if he knew it?”
As soon as I started backing my flat deck into the driveway Amy and both her parents had come outside to greet us.
Em recognized me right away and had to give me a big sisterly hug. After greetings they led me to the chest. Em handed me the old skeleton key and I opened it up after pulling it out. Lifting off the top everyone was surprised that it consisted of ten layers of flat trays that pulled out. Someone had wrapped the handwritten letter in its envelope for me in a zip lock bag. I gave it to Trish to hold. The tools were still in pristine condition. It left me with the impression that I had been the last one to use them.
“Em, I watched your father design one of these, then fabricate the shape with metal. It took days to make one before sharpening them. It was my job to keep the fires burning as he heated the iron so he could forge the metal with various hammers. Each one was designed to make the impossible possible,” I said. “To me they are invaluable. Before I even dare to use even one of these again, each one will be photographed, measured, and its pattern laid out. So that I can make another the same way he did if it breaks. Each of these tools is designed to do a particular type of carving. All of them give depth and detail to the finished project.”
“The wooden chest is so unique,” Amy said. “Can the years of dust and dirt be removed?”
“Not all of it,” I replied. “On this, I will soak it down with Murphy’s Oil Soap two or three times to clean it. What will be left behind is just Fatima gained by age. I believe the last time these tools were used was in the creating of the bust of your grandfather.”
I locked the chest back up, Em’s husband helped me drag and load it on the flat deck. We chatted for a few as I tied it down. The chest with all the tools in had to weigh about two hundred pounds.
Em led us in to see the bust of her father. Trish could not believe how detailed it was. I was proud of how good it still looked. I pointed out things on it that could only be created by the tools I had just inherited.
“It’s still an eye-catcher after all these years, I can’t believe half the time how much of him you captured in it,” Em said. “Those who see it for the first time ask who he is? I proudly tell the story of who made it, and why.”
“All things work out better when there created out of love,” I said softly.
We went into the kitchen, I read the handwritten letter aloud as Em made a pot of fresh coffee.
Dear Albert: The day I met you changed my life for it gave mine a purpose again. I felt old, you made me feel young. When your grandfather showed up it answered a lot of questions about you, for me. That day I asked him if I could adopt you from them. He said no, he wanted you to pay for what your father had done. I threatened to have him charged with the willful abandonment of a minor child that day. It forced him to negotiate with me.
That is why you were ultimately allowed to spend most of your time with me. Em has told me you left our home in pristine condition. Although because of your grandfather mule headedness I was never allowed to call you, my son. In my eyes you are and always will be. When you came to say goodbye, it tore me apart when you said, ‘My new name is James Scott Tait.’ After you left, I cried and cried. I had never been prouder in my life. I love you son, Dad.
I guess I had tears in my eyes. I know Trish, Em, and Amy did. Em came over to me and hugged me tight and said, “I guess I finally got the brother I always wanted.”
It took us all a while to calm down. It allowed me to tell them all a few of my most memorable times with Peter some of them quite humorous. Em asked her daughter to scan the letter into the computer so she could send it to her three sisters. She wanted her sisters to know just how close I was with their father and how he had felt about me.
“Amy, I think it would be okay to show your parents your birthday present from me,” I said.
Amy went upstairs and got the cards and put the book back in the gift box it was in. She brought it back downstairs.
“After a three-hour lunch today with Trish and Scott I went back to work. Scott took this into Helen’s office. At closing today Helen gave me the card and box in a little gift bag,” Amy said. “It contained an invitation to a book launch party and to their wedding. I will let you open the gift box mom.”
We all watched Em open the top of the gift box to see my new book, “Amy, Scott is your favorite author no wonder you came home floating on air.”
“And now as far as I am concerned, he’s my favorite uncle,” Amy said firmly.
“Amy your parent's invitations will be in Helen's hands-on Monday,” I said.
When we got home, Trish made us each a large hot chocolate. I sat at the bar counter and reread the letter.
“If Mom hadn’t asked you for a favor this truth would have never come out,” Trish said. “It’s going to take you a while to adjust to this new revelation. How do you feel?”
“Like a part of me has been made complete,” I said. “Does that make sense?”
“Very much so, that letter is his blessing for you taking his name, and finally recognizing you for what you were,” Trish said. “His gifting his most valued possession to him is his way of passing the torch on to you along with his love for the one in all ways was his son.”
That night I held onto Trish tight. I talked she listen as I told her all about the man who from this day would be called my dad. I think I talked to her until she went to sleep.
Saturday was going to be another crazy day for us. Helen had drawn the name for the winner of the contest. I had told her that I was going to deliver it to the person myself. Trish insisted that she was going with me.
------------------
We arrived at Aunt Shelia’s and Uncle Eve’s grand ballroom to see how the set up for the event was going. Helen and Amy were busy organizing the event. I was surprised they had brought in copies of every book I had written in case someone wanted to buy one. It surprised Helen when Amy called me Uncle Scott. I learned that today was the major set up, tomorrow the ladies in red would be coming to unpack the cases of my new book and build the displays of them. Along with setting up the additional promotional items.
Amy took me around the whole building explaining how the layout would be throughout. That’s when I learned that there was going to be close to three hundred flying in from New York in a chartered plane sponsored by the publisher. Amy introduced me to the staff and workers as her uncle as if she’d been doing it all her life.
Trish had expected Amy’s reaction and had photocopied Dad’s letter to me. While I was with her, she explained everything to her mother after she read a copy of the letter. The set I needed to deliver was in the trunk of her car along with the directions to get there. Trish had to promise to get pictures and text them to her. Once we got it from her off, we went.
It was a two-hour drive round trip as the address was an hour from Cape straight towards Festus. Getting off the interstate instead of going right to go into the city we headed left going in about thirty miles. Thanks to Google Maps we were directed right to their door.
The house was nothing to write about. It definitely has seen better years. Yet the yard was meticulously kept. That told me that for this family that money was tight. They did what they had to survive. Learning to live with what they could afford to do. Not sure of what we might be facing I had Trish wait in the car as I approached their front door. Knocking I waited for a response.
A young lady who appeared to be about seventeen answered the door. I explained why we had come, and the girl invited us in. I waved to Trish, and she joined me. The young lady led us to the kitchen where the family was busy trying to get the propane stove working. It was an older model that I knew well. I was surprised it was still being used.
“What’s wrong with the stove,” I asked.
“It doesn’t seem to be getting the propane,” her father said. “Even though the tank was filled a couple of days ago.”
“That model has a built-in regulator in the back that controls the opening and the closing of the valves,” I explained as I rolled up my sleeves after taking off my coat. “Let’s pull it out and take a look at it.”
“My name is Jack, and my wife is Caroline, who are you, and what are you doing here?” he said as we pulled the stove out from the wall.
So, I explained about the contest someone had entered for a set of the works of a certain author and we were here to deliver it to the winner. I then said,” My name is Scott, and this is my fiancé, Trish.”
The young lady who answered the door said, “That was me I entered it and put grandma’s name on it.
After climbing in behind the stove and removing the back panel I asked for a cloth to wipe the dust that had collected off and a water spray bottle.
After cleaning off the dust I sprayed a little water above the regulator and discovered there was no flow.
“Jack shut off the tank, were going to have to open the regulator. It can be fixed temporary but will have to be replaced,” I said. “What I am going to do will last about five to six months, but it can’t be done again because of how this model is made.”
I explained and showed Jack the inner parts of the regulator. After getting a hairpin from his wife he watched me using a small set of pinchers to cut it to size and screw it in place. It would act like the original one did but the wear and tear on it was so fine that it would end up blocking the valve below making it unworkable. To replace the regulator would cost about seventy dollars.
“These stoves were built to last,” I said as I screwed the back panel on. “My Dad and I had one on the farm. I learned that trick from him. How much land do you have and what are you doing with it?”
“A hundred and seventy-five acres and we raise beef for the market for the most part and do some mixed farming.”
“That’s what we did until he died,” I said in honesty.
While his wife was making coffee Jack and I went back to my explorer and got the box that contained the ten books. We talked. He thanked me for saving them a repair call that they couldn’t afford at this time. They were cutting back where they could in order to help their granddaughter when she started university next September as she wanted to become a nurse practitioner. I asked him where she hoped to attend. He told me where she’d been accepted but was taking a year off working to give her an emergency fund when money got tight.
He carried the box while I grabbed a second bag, and we went back in. Caroline was surprised when she opened up the box. Ten hard covered books all in pristine condition.
“This is the official invitation for the launch party of his latest book being held in Cape next Tuesday if you would like to attend, please feel free to bring your whole family if you wish,” I said. “Formal attire is not necessary. I realize it is short notice but due to circumstances beyond our control we were not able to do this earlier.”
Caroline looked at her husband Jack as he looked back then he said, “We wish we could be we have obligations that night that we can’t get out of, otherwise we would have gladly attended.”
“I was afraid of that,” I said. “So, to compensate for our failure please take this.”
Caroline took the bag I had carried in and opened it up to discover my newest title in it. She took it out and gasped in surprise. “How can you do this?”
“Turn the book over and look at the back cover,” Trish said. “When we took that picture, I didn’t even have a clue what it was for.”
Caroline turned it over with her granddaughter looking over her shoulder. The Granddaughter said, “This is unbelievable. This never happens in real life.”
I laughed, and said, “That what my future mother in law said when she found out. Caroline open up the envelope.”
Caroline opened the envelope and discovered the wedding invitation and five thousand in cash.
“Use the money to outfit yourselves in a way you feel you need to for the day and to pay for your expenses to stay in a hotel overnight,” Trish said. “The only condition Caroline is that you have to promise to dance with my future husband that night.”
I looked over at Caroline and Jack’s granddaughter and said, “We expect you to be in attendance for the event too young lady. As my dad always said tough time don’t last tough people do.”
Jack walked back with Trish and me to our car. After thanking us he asked me, “How did you know we couldn’t afford to go.”
“I lost my parents when I was seven. The man who took me in did the same thing you are doing with your granddaughter. Sacrificing everything to give her, her dream. How is she related to you?”
“Kristy is my son’s daughter they died in a car accident a few years back. After paying off their debts there wasn’t much left,” Jack said. “What was, will be used towards her education.”
********
Monday night I flew into New York, Pat and I were scheduled for the final hour of Fox and Friends Tuesday morning. Pat and I handled it gracefully. I had to explain why I had not allowed my name to be revealed until now. When I said I had chosen to keep it secret because I wanted to be sure the lady I fell in love with, loved me for being me and not for my money.
In less than an hour later, I was on my way home. Trish watched it live while she was at work. The staff had lots of questions for her, as a result, the day went past fast. With the revelation of my identity out the head of Human Resources and the Chief Financial Officer were forced to resign. The Chairman of the Board held them personally accountable for the loss of the Mrc grant.
At eight pm the doors opened, the ladies in the red book club were dressed to the nines all wearing red full-length dresses and red hats. I could not have asked for a group of better hosts. Copies of my new book were on eight different display tables stocked to the max through the ballroom. Two more huge tables were filled with copies of my other ten. The bar was open the drinks were being poured and the finger food was being sampled. Trish arrived about half an hour later because she had to go home and get changed.
Aunt Sheila and Uncle Eve were walking around with their pride pushing out of the chests. A reporter for entertainment tonight and a new crew were doing interviews. The ladies in Red Husbands were no longer making fun of the book club. When the Ladies got asked by their spouses how long they had known. They had replied, “friends don’t tell friends secrets.’
Em, her husband, her sisters, and their husbands all showed up. Helen’s boss was stunned to learn that I was going to becoming her son in law and that I was Amy’s uncle. Between eight and eleven at night we had over five hundred attendings. I ended up signing copies of my books until my fingers got sore. By the time, the evening was over most of the ten other titles of my books that had been brought in were sold.
Trish had to get a group photo of the Tait side of the family along with their full names and addresses. In a private moment, they had presented me with two photo albums filled with family pictures. Quite a few were of family events that I had attended with Peter over the years.
Pat and I talked. Pat stated, “You’ve created a curiosity factor that is going to further the sales of your book even more. Have you thought how it's going to affect your job with the Attorney General going forward?”
“Trish and I have discussed it,” I said. “She is leaving the hospital at the end of the month. My niece Amy has given me some particularly good insights about sequels for my first ten books that I will discuss further with you after the wedding. Getting married is making me realize that I need to bring a balance I haven’t had into my life.”
“I think the world of Trish,” Pat said. “She’s mellowed you and took away some of your edges. Tearstained Buttercup Eyes in my eyes is the best you have ever written. It's also the longest by twenty-two pages. Any idea when I can expect the next one.”
I laughed, and said, “I’ve been working on it since you accepted the last one. If it goes as planned it should be in your email by the end of February.
********
The grand ballroom looked stunning. Trish and I were doing a tour with Shelia and Eve. Sitting for five hundred was set up at tables set towards the sides of the great room. A red carpet had been rolled out and was in place for the bridal party to walk down. Our guests would be escorted to their assigned table. Chairs were set up so all at the tables had a clear view of the wedding ceremony.
The stage front had been opened up and the hidden steps pulled out. A huge arbor in which the minister would stand in front was done in red and white poinsettia’s. Hanging down from the top of the arch was a sign that said Chapel of Love. It had been built on wheels for easy removal.
In half an hour the rest of the troop would be here for the rehearsal. The ladies in the red book club had created an atmosphere that was outstanding. They had combined the spirit of the wedding reception and Christmas into one.
The grand piano had been moved off to the side. Once the arbor was rolled out the band hired for the night would set up after the curtain came down. The steps would be slid back under, and the head table set up for the evening. The grand piano would be used to play the wedding song as Trish walked towards me.
The red carpet that Trish would walk down would be rolled up and moved to storage.
From the ceiling hung streamers of red and white to the walls. Each table had a small flower display of red and white carnations. The rows of tables on each side were three deep.
Trish and I would stand one step down just beneath the minister. The next step down would be the maid of honor and the best man. In front of them would be one of the ring bearers, and the flower girls. The other two maids awaiting and the ushers each one step lower than the other. With the other ring bearer and flower standing right below the other. It was nice that Jen’s girls were about the same ages as Terri’s.
The minister and us men watched as the bridal party walked down the carpet. Helen went to take a seat and I said no.
“Mom you have to come and stand at an angle to the right of the minster looking down at the rest of us,” I said.
She looked at me in complete surprise and said, “But I’m not part of the bridal party.”
“Yes, you are,” I said. “That’s why you have been provided the same dress as the rest of the ladies and the flower girls.”
First came the ring bearers taking their spots, then the flowers girl who moved into the step right beneath the boys. The ladies took their position in relation to the men's positions. Dad and Trish came to the steps. Trish walked up to be beside me.
“Dad,” I said. “After the minister asks who gives her away, I want you to go and stand to the left side of the minister just as mom is.”
“Dad, Scott and I had this all planned,” Trish said. “That’s why we got you the same tux as the rest of the men. Mom and you will be also sitting at the head table.”
“I’ve never seen a wedding done like this in my life,” John said seriously.
“It was quite common in the eighteenth century,” I said. “When I told Trish about it, she decided she wanted it.”
“John,” Aunt Shelia said. “I think it’s one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. Cherish the honor and respect for what it is.”
********
It was five to three, that Saturday my best man Brad, the ushers Terri’s husband, and Jennifer’s husband, were standing there with me waiting. The organist started playing the music I could see my future mother in law beginning the walk down to us. Trish and her father were still hidden from view.
“Trish,” John said as they watched Helen start the walk, “I never believed in fairy tales, but Scott and you have proved me wrong.”
Trish being very emotional was trying to hold them in. In truth, she kind of felt the same way. Her floor-length white wedding gown was beautiful. The necklace we had found that she was wearing on her neck added to her image. She watched as the last maid in waiting started her walk. Then her father joined his arm with her and started to head in. Just as she entered the grand ballroom the organist stopped playing the right side curtain on the stage opened and a group of eight ladies started singing as the organist started a new song.
“Going to the chapel and were going to get married. Going to the chapel of love.”
Every female in the bridal party got emotional because they all knew the story related to that song. I thought that Trish would lose it but there were no big sobs just a few tears flowing down her cheek.
Her dad stopped at the bottom of the stairs and watched her walk up the few steps to stand beside me. She looked right at me with her tearstained buttercup eyes.
“Who gives this lady away,” The minster asked?
“Her mother and I do,” answered John before taking his position above me. The photographer and her assistant were taking pictures and videoing catching the whole ceremony. We had written our own vows. I said mine first she followed.
I slid the ring on to her finger and said, “With this ring, I thee wed My December Bride.”
Trish slid mine on to mine and said, “With this ring, we begin the walk of life as one.”
The minister then said “I pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
That’s when I started to relax. Trish looked beautiful. The first thing we did as a couple was to step down and go to her grandmother. After congratulations, her grandmother spoke.
“When you get the chance, Trish, go through your parent’s attic and look for old pictures of my grandmother if they still exist because I believe the beautiful full diamond necklace is just like one, she wore.”
“Grandmother, Scott and I found it jammed in behind a drawer in the china cabinet we bought.”
Her grandmother's eye’s teared up. Trish held her hand as she spoke. “It was to be passed to me when I got married to be passed on to my first granddaughter on her wedding day. Scott my granddaughter may not know it but she’s already carrying your first and has been for about six weeks.”
Trish looked at me in surprise and said “Maybe she’s right. I just thought I was late because of what we were dealing with.”
“If that’s true then I am retiring from working for the state,” I said. “I want to live to hold our grandchildren in my arms.”
We went from table to table thanking them all for coming. The ushers helped to push the steps back into the stage. Staff on hand-rolled up the red carpet to prepare for the dinner. That allowed the head table to be set up. Most of those we talked to had to compliment us for how we had tied Trish’s parents in to be part of the whole ceremony.
I saw Trish talking to her Aunt Shelia and thought nothing of it. I was busy talking to Jack, Caroline, and Kristy who looked like they fit in. Kristy said the wedding ceremony was the most beautiful she’d ever seen. Then I moved over to the Tait family who was here in mass. I met all of Peter’s daughter’s extended family for the first time.
My uncle James and Aunt Cathy who were staying with Trish’s parents and I had the chance to talk. Back home they had told all that I had been found and was doing well. When the book had been released after it was revealed who I was. She had a lot of the family over for dinner and showed them the book I had given her.
“I had James’s Mom read the comments you had written to the whole table during the meal,” Cathy said. “When they asked me how we knew you. I said we used to call him Albert. A lot of the family had a lot of guilt on their faces. James and I enjoyed their discomfort.”
“I got the final dig in when I said you know that for me to get my hearing it cost over two hundred and fifty thousand,” James said. “It was Albert who paid for it. I think the family went home that night to do a lot of hard thinking because of the message we had given them.”
At five o’clock the servers started to prepare the tables for the huge dinner. Pat and her husband took Trish and me aside.
Pat informed me that thanks to all the free publicity my latest book had set new records companywide since its release.
They had six serving areas for the food. The food was over the top. Pat on behalf of the publisher had not scrimped on cost. It was a selection of prime roast beef or salmon steak. a choice of two types of potato styles, brown gravy, buns, three different vegetables to choose from and wedding cake for dessert. Water, coffee, tea, coke, and a glass of white wine. Those who wanted something a wee bit heavier could get if for free from the bar.
At eight the Master of Ceremonies took the mike to start the dance.
“Trish and Scott picked a song that reflects their view about the future for their first dance together as man and wife,” he said. “It’s a Dr. Hook classic called ‘Years from now.”
Trish and I walked onto the dance floor as the band started playing our song. We danced with our eyes locked on each other as the quests caught images of us.
When it was announced for the father-daughter dance the Master of Ceremonies said,” Trish chose Bob Carlisle’s ‘Butterfly Kisses’ and would like all father and daughters to join them.”
I was standing with Helen as they danced. I guess it hit John’s heartstrings because we could see him tear up.
“He is really an old sentimental fool at times,” Helen said emotionally. “It was all he could do to hold it in when the two of you were saying your vows. I don’t think either one of us will forget the view it gave us or what it was saying to all in attendance. People have been commenting on it all night. Most of them see what you two did as a total act of honor and respect.”
When it was time for the Master of Ceremonies to announce the mother, son dance he said. “Scott's parents both died years ago so he has chosen to dance with Mrs. Caroline Hynes who reflects the value he was raised with. They shall dance to Rod Stewart’s Forever Young.”
Caroline was in shock as Trish, and I approached her. Taking her hand, I led her to the center of the ballroom. As we dance Trish handed Kristy an envelope. Kristy when she opened it started crying. It was a fully paid scholarship for the school she wanted to go to including the dorm room. Caroline’s family saw how full of pride she was.
“We just want you to pay it forward when you get the chance,” Trish said smiling.
“But why,” Kristy asked?”
“Because we wanted to. For Scott, he does it in honor of the man who raised him who never got to call him a son,” Trish said. “It’s his way of passing it on.”
As Caroline and I walked back to their table we both could see how proud her husband Jack was.
“Thank you for making this an evening we will never forget but why is Kristy crying,” She asked?
“My wife gave her some good news while we were dancing,” I said. “I’m sure you hear about it as soon as we're back.”
At the first band break, Trish went to her aunt’s house with her aunt to change into the going away outfit. It was the same dress that all the ladies in the wedding party were wearing. Eve took the chance to tell me that his wife had a couple of things planned for the next set that I should be prepared for.
Trish had returned by the time the Master of Ceremonies took the mike, he said. “Scott would like the Ladies in Red Book Club to join them on the floor with their spouses for his personal rendition of ‘Lady in Red’ written by Chris de Burgh.
For Trish and me, it was a reminder of the night we got engaged. To on watchers, it was a sight as thirty-four ladies all wearing poinsettia red covered the ballroom floor. As we danced, I sang the song to her again. Trish now understood why I wanted her to go away dress to match the bridal parties. After we finished the dance, the photographer took another few images of the bride and her bridal party.
It was halfway through the second set that Trish and I were taken by surprise. Rick Springfield joined the band.
Aunt Shelia and Uncle Eve took the mike.
“A lot of you know how Trish and Scott stacked my wife’s birthday bash turning into an evening that we will never forget,” Eve said. “So, my wife and I conspired as a little payback was due.”
“Nine years ago, Trish got stood up at the alter by a man named Jessie,” Aunt Shelia said. “We convinced Rick Springfield to play the song for the man who got Jessie’s Girl. So, Scott and Trish can you please take the floor.”
We took the floor and for the second time that night we dance the song all by ourselves. Trish had tears in her eyes Aunt Shelia had a smile a mile wide. When we were finished the guests, all stood up and clapped. Trish and I were headed off the dance floor when Kristy came up and said it’s my turn.
As soon as we were finished and before I had escorted Kristy back Amy said, “It’s my turn, Uncle Scott.
All the Tait family had to get pictures of the two of us dancing. After escorting her back, I headed over to the bar to get Trish and I another drink. At the end of the third session well the band took a break it was time for us to say a few words. I was the first to speak.
“To the ladies in Red, my dear friends I thank you for making this day the success it is. To my, in-laws I thank you for raising such a wonderful daughter. The ushers and the best man are passing out envelopes as a token of our appreciation. Uncle Eve, I couldn’t sell Impala to you because It's sitting in its new owner's garage. Use it to build new memories with your best friends dad, “I said.
“Never would I have believed if you told me that in a crazy wild moment in anger when I tried to arrest a man, I thought was a crook that it could lead to tonight,” Trish said. “Yet here we are. I am now married to my best friend, the love of my life looking forward to what's to come. For both of us, it has been a year of discovery. A time of letting go and healing from things carried from our past. Rest assured that we have to hit the floor running. Scott does not know why yet. Because I just found out today that in about seven and a half months, we will be bringing our first child into the world.”
Everybody clapped. I was in shock. John and Helen were crying. Both sides of the family were cheering. What happens next well that’s another story yet to be discovered.