Date: Mon, 7 Mar 2016 21:49:59 -0500 From: Eff Del Subject: The Oak and the Ash- chapter 10 The Oak and the Ash-Chapter 10 By Eff Del Nolitimere156@gmail.com We all go through pain, anxiety and pressure and when we overcome these stressful events, we feel relief. Relief is a great feeling. We give an emotional and physical reward to ourselves for enduring the stress. It is a time to relax and enjoy the end of the negative experience that we have endured. It is a gentle and kind way to return to normalcy. If you use your moments of relief well, they can be important points in your life. At the very least, they are an opportunity to sigh and then re-group. Life goes on but life is better lived in the peace provided by relief rather than under stress. I was driving back to Joyous Gaurde thinking to myself that I was going to spend an entire weekend without at least one boy to play with. How wonderfully strange my life had become. I also had fun imagining what a wild time the three of them were going to have up at the cabin totally on their own although I knew that LC and Windy would keep a tight rein on them. I loved those three boys with all my heart. I could never deny that my love for Sean was foremost in my emotions but that certainly didn't diminish my feelings for Jack and Brian. The three of them had changed my life forever. I'd never imagined that I would have children. It was the furthest thing from my mind and now suddenly, I had three teen-aged sons and I couldn't get over the joy of it. I decided to stop at Deegan's for a burger and a beer while I thought about what I was going to do with myself this lonely weekend. I was picking on the last of my fries and perusing the little local newspaper trying to see if anything interesting was going on when my phone buzzed. I picked it up and saw that it was Richard. Of course, I answered it at once. "Eric, I see that you are at Deegan's. I want you to stay there. Arlen and John are on their way to pick you up. I don't want you to be driving so I've remotely disabled your car." "Richard! What the hell is going on? What do you mean that you've disabled my car?" "Remember when I told you that I was going to make some Skuggor modifications to your cars? Well this is one of them. Now Eric, have another beer while the guys get to you. Listen Eric. the seaplane...'Duck' has gone down. Just let the guys bring you home and we'll meet in your study. We're on top of this Eric so we'll have all the information for you by the time you get home. Really, have another beer." I closed the connection and like a robot, I ordered another mug of beer and I sank back into my chair and foolishly began to peruse the newspaper again. I noted that this weekend was a crafts fair downtown in the park and I thought to myself that might be an interesting thing to do and then it actually hit me. I was about to burst into uncontrollable tears when John came into the room and gently but firmly brought me to my feet. He didn't say a word as he guided me to my car. "Richard's disabled it John" I wasn't thinking very clearly. He smiled kindly and said; "It's ok. It's enabled now. Let's get you home." ********************* I was sitting in my study with Richard and we were both sipping from Irish crystal tumblers filled with Glen Fiddich as he explained to me what was going on. "What we know right now is that they'd just reached cruising speed and altitude when there was a fatal engine failure and the plane glided onto a pond and just dived nose first into the muddy water. Why it stopped so suddenly and who survived beyond Jack we don't know yet. We only know that Jack survived because he phoned in the distress call. Those GPS chip implants that you were so dubious about, have allowed us to locate them at once and I have two choppers on the way right now. One of them is carrying Doctor Mohamed and a med team. We should have more information in about an hour. Barry will call me as soon as we have word and, we can go upstairs at once. For now, let's keep you away from the hustle and bustle." I know that my eyes were red-rimmed although I seem to have cried myself out in the car ride back to Joyous Gaurde with John. "Dr. Antonio is standing by in the Infirmary with a full team. Would you like for me to call him up with a mild sedative for you?" I actually grinned and held up my tumbler. "I don't need any more of a sedative than this Richard but, let's move down the hall to the library; it's more comfortable there." As we were walking down the hall I asked him; "Does Doc Swaim know about this?" "He does. I believe he's in the boys' classroom waiting for news." As soon as we entered the library, I picked up the desk phone; "Doc, why don't you come down and join Richard and me? Waiting is easier when you have company." I nodded to Richard. "He'll be right down. How is your drink?" I took his tumbler from him without waiting for a reply. I freshened it up and returned it to him and then made a `Jack and water' so that it would be waiting for the big professor who actually walked through the door just as I'd finished. He pulled me into a massive bear hug before accepting the proffered drink. "So, I take it that we have no further news?" "Based upon the co-ordinates from their implants, I'd say we should start receiving information in about fifteen minutes. Barry will let us know the second it starts coming in and then, we can head upstairs." "Richard, call over to John and tell him that I'd like for him to join us here as well." "Certainly Eric." He picked up his phone and spoke softly into it. "He'll be here in a few moments." "Good." I was wandering around the library and I came to rest upon the photo that Sean and Jack had given me for my birthday. "You know that since Brian has come into the family, I've been meaning to talk to Chris about taking another photo with Brian in the set. When we're just here together, or when I'm alone, I often turn this photo over and look at this..." I turned the large photo over and said; "They didn't make it public, but my Christmas present included a second photograph. They'd both posed nude in the most beautiful and hysterical pose. I had the photo mounted perfectly on the backside of the other so that I could enjoy either side depending upon my mood and my privacy. I've been hoping that Brian might like to join his brothers in a formal portrait and then, a naked goofy pose...you know; the three of them naked and looking happy and silly. B-but now, I'd just like to see them all looking well." "Hold on...I'm getting information from Barry. The first chopper is at the site. It seems that they are all four alive and ready to be loaded onto transport. Wait...wait... Will has got a broken leg or knee, Sean has got a broken nose and a broken finger. It seems Brian is totally ok and we've got to check Jack for a possible concussion. A pretty positive outcome from what might have been a horrible experience yes?" I breathed a deep sigh and then offered them each a new drink. "Richard, I want this investigated seriously. How could an airplane in meticulous conditioned experience a fatal engine failure? I want to know how and I want to know who... got it?" "Gottit and I understand Launcelot. We're on it." My boys as well as Will were being loaded onto hospital beds and sedated so that they could sleep and recover. The infirmary in Joyous Gaurde had been a surprise to me but I was certainly glad it was there. I walked down among the sleeping boys and kissed them each gently upon their foreheads and left the room. Martha was waiting in the kitchen and though her eyes were moist, she guided me to the little dining room and placed a Cornish game hen surrounded by wild rice and a wonderful salad of green lettuce and ground hard cheese. I ate it voraciously. ************** I was sitting beside Will who had the worst injury; a broken ankle it turned out. He was quite lucid despite his pain medication. "Eric, he's the finest young pilot I've ever been involved with. When the engine imploded, he sort of took a couple of blinks and then feathered the plane and looked across the horizon. He pointed to the right and asked; `That big pond Will?' he was cool as a cucumber. I agreed and told him to go for it. My initial reaction was to grab the rudder but Sean was so competent and so coldly in control that I decided to let him command the plane right until the end. After all, the worst that could happen was that we'd all die right? I couldn't be any surer of preventing that than Sean could. I told him; "From now on, we're a rather heavy glider so you've got to work the controls but remember that you've only got one shot at this. Aim for your landing and understand that you've got no engine to power you down. It's you and gravity young man." `Don't you want to take over the controls Will?' I answered; `Nope, I've taught you everything. If you can't land us safely Sean, then nobody can.' As we approached the pond below us, I cautioned Sean to feather us out and decrease air speed because with a dead engine, he had but one chance of approach at the pond and then, it would be into the woods. `Try to keep your nose up Sean, I know it's very hard but do the best you can.' He hit the pond perfectly but, because we were essentially a dead engine, we hit the water deep and the right pontoon snagged against a sunken tree or something and it warped and twisted the structure while literally stopping our forward movement almost at once. We stopped so quickly, it was like slamming into a wall. I apparently broke my ankle, Sean broke his nose and I don't know what happened to the other boys but, you certainly should be proud of Sean because there aren't many pilots that could have turned this into a survivable situation." I was crying...how could I not? "That's all on you Will and your incredible teaching skills. Sean did the flying and frankly, he's Sean...the most remarkable boy I've ever known, but he never could have done it without what you've taught him. That's why your involvement in Camp West Wind is going to be so important. So, now though, what do you think happened that made the engine die so suddenly? It had been meticulously maintained, as you well know. I'd never have allowed you guys to go up in it if I wasn't confident in that. Can they ascertain that back at the air maintenance?" He hiked himself up in his bed grimacing with an obvious spurt of pain. "Hand me that pad of paper and that pen please." He wrote a name and address and handed it to me. "When you salvage `Duck', have it brought to this place. I'll call ahead so that they understand what we need to know. Don't trust Air Maintenance at the Sea Port right now. There is a crininal there and you've got to find him. That engine actually imploded. This was no simple mechanical failure Eric. This was designed and planned to happen." I took the paper from his hands and squeezed his shoulder. "You should rest now Will. My people will take it from here. Are these the people who should take care of repairing `Duck'?" He smiled rather sadly. "There's no repairing `Duck'. I'd never go up in her and I'd certainly never let Sean go up in her. After the investigation, just sell her for parts or scrap. Actually, your insurance will do that and you guys just move on. You might consider buying a six seater so you all can fly to the lake together. I'd be glad to help you with that as soon as I'm out of this bed." "OK friend, get some sleep before dinner." He was almost asleep before I left his bedside. Jack and Brian were at Sean's bedside. Sean was still sedated because Doctor Mohamed had reset his nose and placed his broken pinkie in a brace. I couldn't help smiling to myself as I thought that this young boy had been piloting an airplane that suffered catastrophic engine failure and through his personal skill, one passenger had broken his ankle, two others were virtually untouched and he had suffered a broken nose and a broken pinkie...a broken pinkie for chizzakes! As I'd taught myself to do, I looked up and silently mouthed; "Thank you." ******************** I gave Will's paper to Richard. "Dig the plane out and have it taken to this place. Will doesn't believe it's a normal mechanical failure and he's damned experienced. You probably should touch base with him because he might provide some short-cuts." "Got it Boss and we'll get onto the plane movement right away." Jack, Brian and I sat down to dinner and Martha served us teary-eyed. "Hey you all! What is all the weeping for? Every one of you survived that crash and the worst thing that happened was a broken ankle and a broken nose and neither of them happened to you. Sean will look funny for a few weeks but he'll still be Sean and I suspect that he'll be his old self. A broken nose and a broken pinkie can't change that boy." I sat with Doc Swaim that evening. "Did I do the wrong thing to let him fly so early Doc?" "From the way he performed Eric, I doubt that a man of any age could have done better. Sean is a remarkable boy and with your resources behind him, there is not much that he cannot do. His brothers are also remarkable young men, but Sean is extraordinary. I think that you just need to understand that. Love all three of your sons because they are loveable and talented but know that Sean is an extraordinary boy and thankfully, a boy with a wonderful nature." He left to head back to Fish Camp and I wandered back to the library. I poured a drink and placed a call to the ranch just on a whim...I was wondering about how the two boys were doing. Pete answered the phone and we exchanged pleasantries. "How are my two scoundrels doing Pete?" The pleasure in his voice was obvious. "Send me twenty more like them and I could run this entire ranch Eric. They are remarkable and talented young men and don't you even think about taking them away from me. You should come out here and see them for yourself." "You know what...I think it's time I did just that. I'll fly out tomorrow. See you then Pete." The jet landed just about 8:00 am in the morning. I awoke several minutes before touch down. That was just enough time to wash my face and brush my hair. I came down the stairs and a young man on a black stallion drew to a halt right before me. "Howie, is that you" "Yes Sir Mister T. It's really good to see you. I'd get down but I've only just broken this bronco and he might get wild. Paulie will be right down to get you and I'll see you in the big house. Sorry, but I've got to run this boy out a bit...see you later." I smiled as the once sneaky street kid skillfully rode a wild horse across the ranchland. It was only a moment later before a big F-150 pulled up along the airstrip and the door flew open. "Mr. T! Welcome back to the ranch." Without any hesitation, he ran up to me and embraced me in a hug. "Let me have a look at you Paul. You've certainly put some meat on those bones. You look great son." He grinned and said; "I am great Mr. T and I've never been happier." I pulled him into a shoulder hug. "I'm glad Paulie. Let's get up to the house and let me say my hellos to Pete and then, I want to hear all about it." "Yep, let me get your stuff for you." "Paulie, all I've got is this little overnight bag." "Well, let me get that for you." He grabbed it from me and we walked to the truck. My jet was leaving to perform a quick company junket and would return for me in the morning. Pete was waiting at the big front door. "Eric, it's a pleasure to have you here." "Pete, it's great to be here. What have you done to my two city street thugs?" Paul looked a bit confused and Pete walked over and put an arm around his neck. "Are you talking about my best all-around cowboy and this guy who will soon be leaving us to open up his own award winning restaurant? Eric, these two are the best thing that has ever happened to me. They're simply wonderful and such quick learners and eager workers. If you've come to take them back, you simply can't have them." He looked down at little Paul. "Are you planning upon impressing Mister Tucker with lunch Paul?" The boy smiled up at the big man. "It's all under control Boss. I just need fifteen minutes in the kitchen." Just then, Howard came through the door with a big smile on his face. "Boss, that big black stallion is just about ready. I need one more day with him and then he'll be a saddle horse and a good one too. Hi again Mister T. I kinnda stink of horse right now. If you'll excuse me, I'm gonna jump in the shower and get changed and then, we can visit." "Who are these two kids?" I laughed as I looked at Pete. "They are the fine young men that you saw in them when you brought them here Eric. They've been allowed to become what they actually are rather than having to be street slime in order to survive. I've had the pleasure of watching that happen. Thank you for that...it's been a gift. Paul has essentially become the cook for the entire ranch. He's got a natural talent for it as you'll soon find out. He's taken regular ranch food and pumped it up to an extraordinary level. He still rides out and does hand duty but, more often than not, I keep him near the kitchen and he seems not to mind it. Howard on the other hand was born to work a ranch. There's nothing that boy can't do. He was riding like a cowboy the first day we placed him onto a saddle and was roping like an expert the first day we had him out. It's phenomenal Eric. His second week here just for giggles, we let him try to break a bronco. Without even looking concerned, the boy rode the horse down. That's unheard of the first time. The guys call him `Bronco ' and he's our go to guy for breaking new horses. He also rides fences and helps herd cattle as if he's been doing it his entire life. Find me ten more like him Eric and I could run this ranch just with them...as long as I get to keep Paulie as cook of course." Just then, Howie walked into the room dressed in a fresh denim shirt, face glowing and hair neatly brushed. "Hi. Can I get a hug Mister T?" "As I told you last time Howie, I'll always give you a hug." I pulled him tightly to me and held him closely. "Well, you look great and it seems that you're doing great from what I hear Howard." "Eric, he's earned a new name here on the ranch and he's used to being called `Bronco' that's something that he's earned just like Paul has earned the name `Chef'. It may seem like a little thing but here on the ranch, it's a very big thing." "Gottcha Pete. I'll remember that." "So, Bronco, tell me about your adventures so far." It was like I'd opened a dam. The words just began to pour out of his mouth as he told about learning to ride, to rope, to muck the stables and riding the fence including sleeping out under the stars on the rough ground. He'd worked with the sheep but found that boring and after his initial fascination, found the buffalo equally boring. It was the cattle and the horses that fascinated him." "So, you're happy here Bronco?" His smile was like a spotlight. "I've never been so happy in my entire life Mr. T. Thank you so much for making this happen." He entered into me and hugged me closely. "I thought that you were gonna kill me after we snatched Brian." "Well, truth be told, if everything had happened a year earlier, that's what would have occurred. Timing is everything Howie...I mean Bronco." He'd buried his face into my shoulder and I think he was weeping. "Y-you can call me Howie. I think it was the best timing in my whole life Mister Tucker I will never be able to thank you enough. Snatching Brian turned out to be the best bad deed that I ever did. Do you ride Mr. T?" "Well yes, Howie I do ride why?" "Do you think you'd like to come riding with Paulie and me either this afternoon or tomorrow?" "Well, I'm flying out early tomorrow but if it's OK with Pete, I'd love to ride with you guys after lunch." He looked to Pete; "Would that be OK Boss?" Pete smiled at him and said; "Well Bronco, it so happens that Mister Tucker is MY Boss so , if he'd like to go ridin' with two of his hands, what have I got to say no about?" "Great! That black stallion could use some more time with me on top of him he's got a lot of spirit. You should consider taking him as your ride Pete. Old Randy is getting long in the tooth and he's earned the right to be put out to pasture." I smiled because `Old Randy' had been Pete's palomino stallion for as long as I could remember. "Bronco, I think if I cut him loose, it would break Old Randy's heart. I couldn't do that son." The boy smiled. "I didn't mean to really cut him loose Boss, I just meant not to use him as a work horse anymore. You keep riding him and visiting him every day but, let the black stallion be your workhorse. He's big and strong and lively." Pete grinned and pulled the teenager into a hug. "Howard...excuse me...Bronco, that's why he should be yours." The young man froze. "Mine?" "Certainly Bronco, the best horse should go to the best hand and you're my best hand. Break him in well boy." The boy collapsed into Pete and his body was wracked with sobs. Finally, he was able to squeak out; "M-my life just keeps getting better. W-what did I do to deserve this?" I laughed and said; "You already know Howie, you two kidnapped Brian and threatened to shoot me. What could make more sense?" "Excuse me, but lunch is ready guys." Paul was standing at the door wearing and apron and a large smile. "Since there's just the four of us, I'm serving and joining in if that's OK." "'Course Paulie and after lunch we're going out riding with Mister Tucker." "Cool!" The younger boy smiled. "Go sit down I'll be right out with the starters." He returned with bowls of white tortilla chips soon followed by small bowls of something meaty and red. "We don't often slaughter one of our bison Mister Tucker, but when we do, we take advantage of it and I've got to tell you that the meat is very interesting to work with. This is a chili made under strict Texas rules that don't allow beans. I've marinated the bison meat overnight and since four-o-clock this morning, it's been simmering in my special bath of spices and liquids. I hope you enjoy it." He smiled as he sat down and dipped a tortilla chip into his own bowl and smiled as he took his first bite. I dipped a chip into my own bowl and took my bite. My brain exploded. "What the hell Paul!? I've never tasted anything like this! This could be an entire meal son." He grinned. "Yeah, it's pretty good huh? I discovered some of the herbs while riding the fence with Howie one week and I quickly learned how to use them. You can't buy them in the store and I don't know what their names are...I've got my own silly names for them but they sure punch up a bowl of red eh?" I giggled to myself as I heard a little street thug say `a bowl of red' like a life-long cowboy. He stood up and walked into the kitchen and returned with plates for each of us. "This is thinly sliced flank steak that has marinated overnight in a special sauce of brown sugar, onion, and soy sauce...with a few other secret ingredients of course. I'm serving it to you seared to perfect pink with mashed sweet potatoes and fried tomatoes. There is also a side bowl of heart of lettuce with an olive oil and vinegar dressing. With the Bosses' permission, I'll also serve a bottle of California Merlot that was purchased locally the last time we went to town so I can't vouch for it except to say it was the best in town Mr. Tucker. I knew that I'd get to cook for you some day." The boy was obviously proud as he moved the plates in front of each of us and then finally served himself. I waited and watched as he cut and tasted his first bite and I saw the smile on his face. I cut my first piece and tasted it and once again, my head blew up. I'd never tasted anything this good. "My godz Paulie! Are you some kind of magician or what? I've never tasted anything like this." He smiled and said; "Thanks Mister T. I'd never have learned or figured out how to do this running around on the streets. It would just have been Howie and me trying to eat and stay warm and stuff...now we got Pete and the ranch and the rest of the guys and we take care of each other and we're safe and we feel cared for. I can't believe what my life has become." He began to sniffle. "Hey Chef! Don't we get no desert?" Howie was trying to help his friend not cry. "Oh yeah! I hope you like this. It's something I discovered on the internet and since we picked up a lot of apples during the last trip to town, I thought I'd try it because it sounded so interesting." He entered the kitchen an returned with a large tray. I almost broke out laughing. It was a tarte tatin. It was wonderful although Paul didn't serve it with whipped cream. He served it traditionally. "I've got hands to take care of the dishes. You three go out riding. Remember to be back by six because I'm grilling ribs for dinner." "Thanks friend." We walked down to the stables. Howard indicated to the two guys hanging around that they should saddle two horses for Paul and me and he personally took care of saddling his lively black stallion. Howard was soon on top of the big black horse and it was obvious that he was in love. "He needs a little more attention and then he'll become a perfect saddle pony Mister T. He's magnificent." "Well, it seems like Pete thinks you deserve each other Howard. What are you going to name him?" He looked at me and smiled. "He's black as the night so I'm going to call him `Coal' that's what I'm going to call him." "Good name Howard. Let's go for a ride." We rode across the ranch for about three hours as the boys shared stories and memories and it became obvious that these certainly weren't the same two boys that I'd dropped of here a while ago. "Right over there is where I birthed my first calf Mister T." "What do you mean Howie?" "We were out riding and we came upon a cow moaning in pain. Pete said somethin' like `she's in breech' get in there Howard. I didn't know what he meant but I got off my horse and walked to the cow. `Put your hands into the cow and turn the calf around. I didn't even think but I pushed my hands into the cow and I could feel it was sideways you know? So, I tugged and pulled and finally turned it right ways and pulled it out. The mother and the calf were fine. I named the calf `Wrongway' and Pete says he's safe for the rest of his life. I keep him down by the corral and he's kind of like my pet you know? Hey, we'd better be riding back, Mr. Pete will be putting the ribs on pretty soon." We slow trotted back to the big ranch house and as we got off our horses Howard said; "These guys will take care of your horses for you. I'm going to stay and take care of Coal because he needs to get used to me. I'll meet you up on the patio." "See you later Bronco" I said with a smile as I remembered the desperate angry boy wielding a large cheap pistol demanding that I have one of my sons swim over the pond and surrender as a hostage to him. This was certainly one of the best decisions that I'd ever made. We were all sticky fingered and greasy lipped as we enjoyed Pete's ribs and corn on the cob along with big plates of beans. Paulie and Howie were sitting together pigging out. "He won't tell me what's in his sauce but I'm slowly getting closer to figuring it out." Paulie grinned as he chewed upon a rib. "Boys, can I tell you how proud I am of you?" "Want to know the truth Mister T? We're both actually proud of ourselves. We were both pieces of dirt and now...well we think that we're pretty good people that can be counted on for anything. We think that we're worthwhile if you understand that." "Yes Howard. I do understand that and that's what I hoped for when I first brought you here because you both ARE worthwhile and I knew that the second that you dropped that silly pistol by the pond. I knew that you were worth saving and I knew that Pete was the man to do it. I'm leaving early in the morning so we'll hug good-bye after supper but I'll be out to see you again in a couple of months to taste Paul's cuisine and see what you've done with the magnificent Coal Howard. You seem like a classic partnership. I hugged both of my cowboys and headed up to my room. The jet took off about six AM and as I sipped a cup of coffee I thought to myself that had been a good trip. My evil street boys were turning into wonderful young men and sadly, now I had the mystery of what had happened to my sea plane to explore. I wanted life to be simpler...I wanted to be Howie or Paulie and just get up and ride the range. (To be continued) I can't thank you enough for your wonderful feedback. That's what keeps me (and most writers) working; just knowing our work is appreciated is all we really ask for. A note is very welcomed.