Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2017 19:29:37 -0400 From: Eff Del Subject: The Oak and the Ash Chapter 22 *Chapter 22* *By Eff Del* Nolitimere156@gmail.com *When we are young, we form strong attachments to people and if we are lucky, those attachments last into our older years.* * Friends are precious treasures that we accumulate as we move through life.* *They are jewels that we wear with pride and distinction.* *They are rare and cherished gems and our lives are so much richer because of them.* ************************ He was sitting astride my torso and his smile was brighter than the morning light. He'd awakened before me. There were certainly worse way to wake up in the morning. "Morning little boy. I assume that you're ready for our day to begin." "Yep Dad. We should get goin' I s'pose. I slept so good last night an' I think you did too." "I always sleep good with you Little Man." He sighed and fell down upon me hugging his arms around my neck. With a contented smile I kissed his shoulder and said; "Up, up little slugabug. Into the shower and into clothes. We've got stuff to do today." "Nooo Dad.I changed my mind. You gotta hug me for ten more minutes." He nestled against me burying his head into the crook of my neck and squeezed me tightly. I reciprocated the squeeze forcing him against me and we stayed in that embrace for at least a half an hour. We finally but reluctantly got out of bed and entered the shower. Since I only had a caretaker at this house and had not arraigned for any staff, we ambled down the relatively gentle slope towards the water in search of breakfast. We stopped in the first small café that we came across and pigged out on pancakes and scrambled eggs. Thus fortified, we set out to begin our day of exploration. The town of Bar Harbor is like a clamshell- descending down the hill and ending at the water. It contains hundreds of restaurants and specialty shops. Proud of its interesting history, it remains a mecca for tourists who crowd its quaint and sometimes steep streets. Sean and I strolled along but neither of us were true tourists and very little on display in the shops was of more than minor interest to us. We walked along the shore and watched the lobster boats heading out. At one of the waterfront shacks, I purchased half dozen clams for each of us and we sat at a wooden table and enjoyed them despite the fact that we had only shortly consumed a large breakfast. I smiled to myself as I wondered how many thirteen-year-old boys would relish raw clams in the morning. I then reminded myself that Sean was no ordinary kid and he was adventurous with food. If I told him that something was good to eat, he ate it and usually loved it. His one `kryptonite' still was broccoli and that was fine with me because I pretty much detested the stuff as well. Martha knew that and never prepared it back at the estate. We each swallowed our last one and he grinned at me. "We shouldna had all those pancakes an we coulda' had more of these." "Well, you live and you learn my Little Man. Let's hike back up to the house and get into the car so we can tour the National Park. Its small so we can pretty much do it all today." On our climb up the hill, I stopped into another little seafood shop and bought six lobster rolls, a small tub of slaw and a six pack of beer. "Lunch." I winked at him as we continued our climb up to the house. I opened the garage door and we got into the Benz and soon we were slowly driving down the Park Loop Road. Acadia National Part is over 47,00 acres. While it is mostly located on Mount Desert Island, it also encompases a great deal of land on at least three surrounding smaller islands. It is the oldest National Park east of the Mississippi River. It was originally named `Sieur de Monts National Monument' in 1916 but its name was changed to `Lafayette National Park' in 1919 when its status was upgraded. Eventually, the name was changed to `Acadia Nation Park' in 1929. The name pays tribute to the Acadian people who were French Colonist living in `New France' which consisted of Eastern Canada, the Maritimes and a large portion of the very North East coast of the USA...primarily what is now Maine. At the end of what we call the `French and Indian War', these people were largely displaced and many for the Acadian people relocated to Louisiana. The term `Acadian' soon evolved into; `Cajun `and remains so. Sean actually loved facts like this and he listened with delight as I rattled off gems of trivial knowledge. He also gazed out the windows drinking in the rocky rough glacial coast, the thick mostly pine, evergreen and coniferous forest, and the high bare-topped mountains that had led the explorer Champlain to name the island; `Mount Desert'...essentially; `empty mountains'. "Dad, I've noticed that every now and then there are beaches along the water. Do people swim here?" I smiled at him. "I'm certain that people try Sean but the water out there would make the water in the grotto at Long Bear Lake seem warm." He laughed. "I'll bet. It even looks cold." I suddenly saw the sign that I'd been looking for, and pulled off into the small parking area. Sean read the sign and looked at me questioningly. "Thunder Hole? What's that Dad?" "Nature does amazing things little man and this has always been one of my favorites. Come on and get out of the car." Thunder hole is one of those quirks of chance...or perhaps not (who knows?) It is a small inlet that the waves crash into. At the end of the inlet, down low, there is a small nature made cave and when the waves enter, the water combines with air that has been compressed by the force of the in-rushing water and they `explode' and shoot forth with a thunderous noise and depending upon the tide level, can shoot the expelled water as high as forty feet with great froth and force. I'd checked the tide charts and knew that we were close to high tide so the effects should be spectacular. I was right and as we walked hand in hand across the road, an incoming wave crashed into the cave and a glorious water-filled explosion occurred. The noise was extraordinary and it stopped Sean in his tracks. "WOW! Dad, what the heck was that?" I laughed and explained the mechanics of the thing to him. "As you can see, there's an observation deck over there but if we go up on it at this tide level, we're certainly going to get wet." A bright `Sean smile' answered that comment; "Who cares? It's only water an' the sun is bright an' warm." He grabbed my hand and we walked up the observation deck. We reached top just as another wave crashed into the smallish opening. The noise was truly like thunder and we both were instantly soaked by the massive expulsion of cold salt water. "WHOA! How great was that Dad?" "My Father first took me to this place when I was eight years old Sean. It's been one of my favorite things ever since. I knew you'd like it." The waves continued to pour into the little cave and the natural explosions continued to soak us as we stood there together for about an hour. Finally, I put my arm around him and guided him off the observation deck. "Lunch and then back to town little man. We're going to bed early because we need to get up in the dark of night." "Why Dad?" "Because I want to share with you something very few people have experienced. That's all you need to know right now O.K?" "Kay." There were some picnic tables just across the road not very far from the parking area. We walked up and retrieved our cooler with the lobster rolls, slaw and beer and soon tuckered down while the thunderous noise of the ocean provided background music. Sean was already on his second lobster roll and only his first beer. The warm sun was drying us off and making us comfortable as we ate. I enjoyed the heat upon my shoulders and I enjoyed watching the apple of my eye devour his lunch. "So, I'm going to tell you why we need to go to bed so early. In the middle of the night, we're going to the top of Cadillac Mountain on the East end of the island. It's the highest point on the Eastern Coast...it's about 1,500 feet high...a little more I think, and on most days, it's the first place that sunshine hits in the entire United States. We're going to be among the first people in the country that the sun shines on tomorrow." For that, I received a `Sean smile'. "Is that for true? Is it really possible?" "Of course it's for true little man. Have I ever lied to you?" His lips scrunched up and his eyes crunched together. "N-no, never. I'm s-sorry." "Don't be sorry Son, I know it sounds a little fantastic but that's what is going to happen tomorrow morning. After that, you won't believe the views as we drive back down." We finished lunch and slowly completed the Park Loop Road and headed back into Bar Harbor. "Time to wash off the seawater baby boy." I said as I pulled his tee shirt over his head. He grinned and quickly shucked off his shorts and underpants. The house we were staying in had been owned by my family for over sixty years. My father had the interior completely restored about twenty years ago so, it was quite comfortable and the master bathroom shower was large enough to comfortably accommodate us both together. As I soaped up his back and butt, I thought to myself that I'd never tire of this simple but pleasurable procedure. He giggled and chatted throughout the entire shower. It seems he'd thoroughly enjoyed our day and the prospect of our early morning adventure fascinated him. He couldn't quite grasp the concept. I explained again that the combination of the mountain's elevation and it's eastern proximity made it the first place in America to view daylight at sunrise. "You'll see in the morning when we're up there. Right now, it's too early for dinner yet and I'm supposed to be recovering so how about we lie down and read awhile?" "Yeah but only...I finished my book two days ago so I've got nothin' to read Dad." I smiled and took his hand. "This house has a pretty nice collection of books, I'll bet we can find something that will interest you." I perused the healthily stacked book shelves and two titles fairly leaped out at me. I pulled both volumes off the shelves and proffered them. "This first is a wonderful story of a group of adventures who go on an exciting quest for survival and to seek a new home. It's a great read...only thing is; the characters are rabbits." His eyebrow shot up and he looked at me as if I was crazy for a moment. "This other book is a more modern telling of the life of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. It's broken into smaller books. The first one is called; `The Sword in the Stone' and it tells the story of Arthur as a boy right up to when he becomes King. The rest of the book, you might not like as much because you're still young. Whichever book you choose Sean, we have both of them in our library back home so either is going to be available." "But Dad, if I start one of these books, do I have to wait until we get home to finish it? Will the owners of this house mind if I take the book with me?" I laughed and gave him a soft smack on his butt. "Goofus! WE are the owners of this house so...WE won't mind." He broke into a half amused, half embarrassed grin. "Dad, I keep forgettin'. You own so many great places." "WE own so many great places Son." He nodded his head in acknowledgement but the truth of course, was that our wealth meant nothing to him and therefore made very little impression upon him. Having said that, he was certainly a normal young boy and just took for granted the fact that the bounty of the earth was at his disposal. This didn't make him greedy or spoiled, largely, it made him naïve and innocent. Sadly, someday he would emerge from that cocoon not so much as a butterfly but more as a wasp with a sting and an understanding of the world. I hoped that day was not to dawn soon and I prayed that whatever emerged from the shell would be a wise and strong creature that was filled with understanding and still good nature. Sean had a good heart and I hoped it remained that way forever. Somewhat to my surprise he said; "I think I'll read the one about the rabbits Dad. I'll read the other one when we get home." With a smile, I handed him the copy of `Watership Down' and together (still naked from our shower) we walked into the bedroom and pulled the comforter up over ourselves, propped up our pillows and dove into our books. He scrunched up next to me and occasionally he playfully wiggled his still boney hip against mine. After about an hour, I detected soft breathing noises. Looking over to my side, I realized that he had fallen asleep; his book was still in his hand. I took the book and marked his place. I laid it on the bedside table. We still had at least three hours before we needed to think about dinner and I decided that a nap wasn't a bad idea at all. I marked my place in my book, laid it aside, and curled up next to my sleeping cutie. His body sensed what was happening and he instinctively rolled over and threw an arm and a leg on top of me as he pulled close against my side. We slept for about two hours before our internal clocks seemed to wake us both up at the same time. He smiled up at me, his beautiful eyes half hooded by his thick dark lashes. I pulled in and down and kissed his thick strawberry red lips. "Have a good nap?" "Oh yah. I feel like I could stay up till sunrise right now." "Well that's not going to happen, but we could do an early dinner and then walk around the water for a bit. Are you enjoying your book?" "Yeah Dad. It's funny that you kinna forget that they're rabbits they're just...characters in the book an the author really paints pictures with his words if that makes any sense." "It makes all the sense in the world Sean and that's exactly how I felt when I first read it. I marked your place after you fell asleep." "Thanks Dad." He reached up and kissed me again. "So, then, dinner and a walk and then back home for a little reading and a little sleeping?" "Just sleeping Dad?" His grin was total naughty boy. "Well, perhaps a little more Punkin Pie. Now though, we'd better get out of this bed and get some clothes on Sean Michael Tucker!" "OR...Eric Arthur Tucker, we could just wrap ourselves in this comforter and walk through town cuddled this way." We both giggled and I said as I kissed his nose; "Trouble with that idea little man is that YOU'D do it." He giggled wildly and rolled around under the quilt. As he slowed down I asked what we were going to have for dinner. He poked his head out from under the comforter and said with a large grin; "I'm gonna have lobster an you're gonna have me." He poked back under the quilt and began laughing hysterically. I tried to grab him to get him under control but it was like trying to chase a happy little puppy in the mood to play. I finally resorted to pulling the entire comforter off the bed leaving a gorgeous naked boy exposed and vulnerable. "Dad...now I'm cold." He'd turned on his `sad puppy' eyes but he couldn't hide his grin, which gave him away instantly. "Aufstehen!" I ordered with a false scowl. Sean always took me seriously when I spoke another language. Language seemed not to be one of his many talents but the harsh German word had its affect and he jumped out of bed and retrieved his clothes. We were walking together down the hill into the village. "So really, what do you want for dinner Sean?" "Well Dad, if we were back in Georgia, what would you want besides shrimp?" "Maybe a pork chop sandwich." "A what?" "A pork chop sandwich. I'll show you the next time we go back there." "OK but we're in Maine now and there's nothing I want more than lobster is that alright?" "Of course it's alright Little Man. This is our last night here so, let's get you a two or two and a half pound lobster and fill you up. Do you think you could handle that?" We were early enough that we were escorted to a prime table overlooking the Warf. Sean's eyes gleamed as he gazed through the window looking out across the water. There was always activity on Frenchman's Bay though most of the lobster and fishing boats were in for the day. "We sure have been to some intrestin' places this trip haven't we?" "Yes Son. They're places that I love and places I wanted to see again while I rested and recuperated." "Well, I don't know how me getting' thrown in jail helped you to rest an' recuperate very much." I smiled and squeezed his shoulder. "It helped because I learned how strong and resolute my son is. It helped a great deal little man." By now, our dinners had been served. I'd ordered a normal pound and a half lobster, and Sean was the recipient of a two and a half pound monster. It took up almost half the table. "Better put that bib on boy. I suspect that you're gonna make a mess." He grinned at me. "Don't worry about me Dad. You take care of yourself. Just by the way, I AM strong and resolute but you helped make me that way. You're the father that I never thought I'd have. You're the man who loved and still loves me...you're the light of my life. If I ever can find a way to show you how much I love you I will, but right now, all I can do is tell you. I'm only a kid but I unnerstan things an I can figure out things an soon I'm gonna help you with all those things. Trust me on that." Then he attacked his giant lobster and conversation was over. ******* We'd snuggled and kissed for about an hour before I snaked down the bed and taken his little ramrod into my mouth and worked him into oblivion. He'd cuddled close to me and I spoke softly to him; "So, I've set the alarm. You are responsible for dressing warmly...including a jacket and a hat. It will be very cold up there. Now get some sleep. Tomorrow will be near the time for Don Quixote and Sancho to return to La Mancha." He wrinkled up his cute little nose and his eyes were wide. "What Dad?" I smiled and pulled him to me. "Never mind little man. You'll understand that all later. Right now, you just sleep." "Kay." He murmured and was soon fast asleep. I smiled thinking that having eaten a two and a half pound lobster might have had something to do with that. ******************** The ride up to the top of Cadillac Mountain is really a cautious drive even in the daytime. In the black of night, it is something that grabs your nerves and your mind and your wits. The ride back down would be extraordinary because the views would be mind blowing but now in the dark...it was essentially just a ride. At the top, there is a small parking lot and a gift shop/visitor center that was closed of course. I parked the car and we got out. I'd been right, It was quite cold out here and we both zippered up our jackets. I pulled down my wool slack hat and Sean pushed down his St. Louis Cardinals ball cap and we began to walk down the trail to the eastern end of the peak. There was a small gathering of other people when we emerged at the end of the trail. I suspected that many of them were local people who did this regularly. This suspicion was confirmed when a burly old man in a leather jacket approached us and even in the dark, you could see his smile. "Hellow you two. I suspect that this is your first time eh? Name's William Winslow an' you?" Sean took the lead and offering his little hand he said; "I'm Sean Tucker Mr. Winslow and this is my father Eric." "Well, I'm pleased to meet you the Tucker family. This is a very special thing for me. My son and I used to come up on this mountain every Saturday night and we'd sit here and wait for the light to break and we'd hold hands and yell out loud; `Good morning America!' We did that every week since he was eight years old. Then we'd go down the mountain and have us some breakfast and grab Mom and head off to Church. There's something special about family and family tradition. Billy Junior turned out to grow into a fine young man just as I suspect you will Sean Tucker. Trouble was, he believed all the crap the government was pitching out and he enlisted in 1990 and was soon over there in Iraq. He wasn't lucky and he came back to us in a box. We buried him facing East so he could see the sunrise. Cancer caught his Mother two years later so...now I come up here every week and on Sunday I tend the flowers around her grave. Its special and life lifting. My son and I used to stand against that wall and watch the sunrise and as soon as it broke, we'd raise our hands and shout; "Good morning America!" Sean walked to the old man and took his hand. "Do you think we could do that Mr. Winslow ? Could we join hands an do that? My Dad would sure like to be a part of it. We came up here for sunrise to be somethin' special...this would sure make it special." I struggled to hold back tears as I listened to my young son. "Thank you Sean Tucker. I think I'd like that a lot. We've still got an hour before that happens yet so we've got to make ourselves comfortable." I stepped forward and said; "Well, if you were a man who liked the occasional taste, I've brought a couple of flasks." He smiled and said that he wouldn't mind. After we'd taken a few sips, Winslow checked his watch and said that we'd best head to the East wall. "The crack of light over the horizon will be the first light of dawn upon the United States today and so, we will be the first bathed in its brilliance. My son and I always greeted the dawn by wishing America `good morning'" I offered him my flask one more time and he took another sip and then we walked together to the rugged stone wall. Sean placed himself between us and we faced the east. Almost theatrically, the horizon took on an orange/yellow color while the mostly black sky became more and more purple. Unannounced and almost unexpected, a sliver of blazing yellow light that was almost white broke the even line of the ocean horizon. William grasped Sean's hand and Sean grasped mine and together we raised our arms and shouted; "Good morning America!" Sean turned and hugged William and the old man returned the embrace. "Thank you for this experience Mr. Winslow it means a lot to me." "You are more than welcome Sean Tucker. You have no idea how much this has meant to me. I've done this vigil alone for so many years. You've made this morning special. This was Bill's service cap. It's one of the few things that they sent back with his body. I take it up here to the top of the mountain so that I feel he's with me. Maybe, if you'd take it, part of him might be out there moving about the world." He offered a ragged desert camo service cap. Sean had almost spilled tears in his eyes and he took his Cardinals baseball cap off. "Then Mr. Winslow, you gotta take my cap. That way, the next time you go to the top of the mountain, me an' Bill will be with you an' I'll be proud and happy to wear Bill's cap." I shook Bill's hand and the three of us walked back to the parking lot. I invited him to breakfast but he declined explaining that he had a group of friends that always met on Sunday morning. I told him that I understood and then scooted Sean over to the car. "Dad...that was one of the greatest things that I ever did in my life!" "I knew it would be Sean but meeting Mr. Winslow made it even more special. Today will be a lazy day while I think about where we are going next." We were reading an cuddling together at the house when my phone rang for the first time, Based upon my orders, this could only mean something serious and so' I answered it with trepidation.