Saturday, January 30, 2021

Monday, January 18, 2021

Morningstar: Chapter 10: Fire

 

Chapter 10: Fire

 

          Monday morning started like any other school day.  My alarm went off, I grabbed my things and headed to the bathroom, wanting to get there before T.J.  As soon as I entered the living room, my dad, who was sitting in his chair reading the morning paper, put it down and just looked at me for what seemed like the longest time.  I remember getting a chill from his extended solemn stare.

          Finally, I asked, “dad, is there something wrong?”

          “Come sit down Anna,” he motioned to the couch next to his chair.  “I’m really sorry, I have really bad news.”  

          The tone of his voice caused my heart to sink.  “What is it dad?” I asked with dread and foreboding.

          My dad had the paper folded open, and as I sat down, he handed it to me.  I knew in an instant what had happened.  The article was titled; “Local Artist Dies in House Fire.”  I immediately felt incredible anxiety welling up inside.  My head was spinning.  My heart was pounding, and I was gasping for breath.  At the same time, I felt an enormous loss. I was angry and confused.  I knew this had to be Charlie, that is the only reason my dad would have given me this article.  Why was I so upset?  I barely knew Charlie.  I had only met him once and still, for some reason, I felt as horrible as I did when I lost my grandmother five years before.  Was it because of the movie I just watched?  I wanted to run, to scream and be alone; but, holding back the tears, I continued reading.  “Local Artist, Charlie Blackeagle died in a house fire last night.  An unnamed unofficial source said it looked like a typical chimney fire, but arson had not been ruled out.”  The rest of the article was unimportant. What was this about arson?  Was Charlie murdered?  Was I reading too much into this?  A terrible feeling of darkness enveloped me.

          As I looked up, my dad was reaching to put his hand on my shoulder, as he said softly; “I’m so sorry honey.”

          I didn’t want to be touched.  Didn’t want to be with anyone.  I threw the paper down, ran to my bedroom, slammed the door, and fell sobbing on my bed.  My mom and dad were good enough to let me have my space.  They knew, or at least one of them knew I needed to be alone. 

          After a while, my feelings started to change.  I wondered; if I was feeling this bad, what was Amanda feeling?  I stopped crying enough to call, and picking up the phone by my bed, dialed her number.  It was busy.  Of course, it was busy.  I waited a while and tried again.  Still busy.  I tried one more time and it was still busy.  I threw some clothes on and went to find my dad, who to my astonishment, was sitting in his chair with his boots on and his coat laying on the couch, like he was waiting to take me someplace. 

          “Dad, would you take me to Amanda’s?”

          “Yeah, I thought you might want to go.” 

          Surprised, I grabbed my coat and put my boots on and said, “Thanks.”

          We didn’t say a word as we drove to Amanda’s.  There were already a few extra cars when we arrived.  My dad walked up to the house, introduced himself to Amanda’s mom and dad, and told them how sorry he was.  I then introduced myself and asked if I could see Amanda. 

          Amanda’s mother, Stephanie, said; “yes, please come in.  It was good of you to come.  She’ll be glad to see you.  Do you want to come in Mr. Turner?”

          My dad just replied, “no, … no, I’d just be in the way.  I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am and drop Anna off.  I’ll come and get Anna when she calls. … I am really sorry about your loss.”

          Stephanie then put her arm around me, I really didn’t want it there but didn’t want to be rude either.  She led me into the living room where Amanda was sitting next to an older person who had her arm around Amanda as she sobbed.  As I got closer, Amanda looked up and ran to me, throwing her arms around me as I threw my arms around her and we both cried.

          I just blubbered; “I’m so, so, so, sorry,” over and over.

          Through her tears she finally looked up, and just looked at me and said, “thank you.”

          We just continued to hold each other for a while and then D’Lisa came in and hugged and cried with Amanda.  Then Beth and Jason came in.  Beth grabbed Amanda first and hugged her, then Jason reached out and hugged Amanda.  I could hear him say how sorry he was.  It was really getting crowded in the living room and we finally all went into the kitchen.  The four of us girls then hugged and cried some more.  Jason was mostly quiet and patient, sitting at the table across from Amanda, with his hand reaching across the table, holding Amanda’s hand as the rest of us talked and Jason listened. 

          Someone brought some food over, but none of us felt like eating.  By evening the family had already arranged for the funeral on Wednesday.  We hugged and cried a little more and said goodbye.  Jason took both me and D’Lisa home.  My parents were both great.  They gave me a hug, which I was ready for now, and told me how sorry they were.  They told me they understood if I didn’t want to go back to school for a few days and left me alone.  That was what I wanted, and think I needed most.  I went almost straight to bed and lay awake most of the night thinking about Charlie, my life, my grandmother, my family, and everything that had happened since moving to Logan.

          On Tuesday I would learn that an envelope had come for me while I was at Amanda’s.  I’m glad my dad didn’t tell me until Tuesday.  I don’t think I could have handled both the news about Charlie’s death and the package on the same day.

Morningstar: Chapter 9: The Earthling

 

Chapter 9: The Earthling

 

          The next week went really well, and pretty fast.  Bekah and her group were doing a good job of getting some kids to act like I was toxic; but no big deal.  Amanda, Beth, D’Lisa, and some of their friends were great.  Tom seemed to be hitting on Amanda about every chance he could get.  Amanda was nice about it; but didn’t act too interested.  I was on top of my classes and getting A’s in everything and had started helping Amanda with a couple of hers.  I hadn’t forgotten about the investigation.  It just didn’t seem so important.  I was actually, kind-of enjoying life.

          Friday after school came pretty quick and my parents had promised to keep T.J. out of the den and let me buy lots of sleep-over food.  The kind of stuff you regret eating the next day.  Dad picked me up and took me to the video store to get the movie.  Mom wasn’t home yet so we had to take T.J.  The movie was only on VHS, but that was ok.  The lady at the store said she had seen it twenty or thirty years ago.  She said it was ok, thought it made her cry and she recommended tissues.  I wasn’t the crying type, but someone else might be, so I planned to grab some tissues when we got home and put them in the den.  Mom was home when we got back and the two of us got all the snacks and drinks ready.  I knew Beth would bring something and probably Amanda, maybe D’Lisa too.  We’d have enough to make us sick.  The carpet was being replaced anyway, so we could just spread everything out on the floor without worrying about spills.  I was looking forward to a great night, with good friends.  Some school dance was going on that same night.  This was going to be our anti-dance party.

          “Thanks Mom,” I gave my mom a little hug while she was helping me.

          A little surprised, she answered, “you’re welcome.  I like to do things like this with you. I’m glad you’re having friends over.  It will be nice to finally meet everyone. … Don’t worry, I’ll get out of your hair as soon as we’ve all met.”

          That prompted another, “Thanks mom,” and an even bigger hug from me.

          While mom and I worked together.  Dad and T.J. were taking all the paint stuff out of the living room.  There was still tons to do in the house, but the living room was painted and all the plastic, brushes, and empty paint cans, were being taken to the shed.  Dad had spent some late nights getting it done by tonight.  I hadn’t really thought about it; but all the sudden realized how much he had sacrificed for me this week just to get it finished.  It wasn’t just painting, there were tons of holes in the wall that had to be fixed.  I had no idea how much time he spent; but it looked really nice except for the old carpet.  All the sudden I had another unexpected urge and ran over and gave my dad a big hug.  “Thanks dad.”

          “You’re welcome Anna,” he responded as he hugged me and kissed my forehead.

          I even turned to T.J. and said; “thanks T.J. and gave him a hug.”

          “Welcome,” stuttered T.J. in astonishment.

          Mom and I got everything set up in the den and some good music going.  I already had my room ready.  Everything was set.  Soon after, I heard the first knock at the door.  It was Beth with a big container of something I was sure either she or her mom made.  She was alone but with the motion detector flood light on, I could see the van outside, and another car.

          “What’s going on?” I asked as I nodded my head towards the street.

          “Oh, we got here the same time Amanda and D’Lisa did.  Jason drove me and now he’s meeting Amanda’s mom.  Amanda and D’Lisa will be right in… I think.  Well, at least D‘Lisa will.  If Jason and Amanda really get talking, D‘Lisa will just come in on her own.  She’s not shy ya know.”  Beth said with a grin.

          “Yeah, I know,” I kind of laughed as I was thinking about D’Lisa.

          After a few more minutes there was a knock on the door.  It was D’Lisa… by herself.  She immediately grabbed me and gave me a big hug and said in a cheery voice; “Hi Anna.” 

          I’m not really a huggy person, which was one of the reasons mom, dad, and T.J., were so surprised.  I just kind of patted D’Lisa on the back and replied; “Hi D’Lisa.”

          D’Lisa then went for Beth and grabbed her.  Beth was a better hugger than me and she returned a nice big hug to D’Lisa.

          “Hi D’Lisa!”

          “Hi Beth!”

          D’Lisa then let go of Beth and headed right for my dad.  I thought ‘oh no, she’s going to hug my dad too;’ but, she didn’t. 

          She held out her hand and enthusiastically said; “Hi Mr. Turner, I’m D’Lisa.”

          “Nice to meet you D’Lisa,” my dad responded happily as they shook hands.

          My mom then walked in the room and D’Lisa did the same thing with my mom, followed by Beth, who also introduced herself to both my parents, but in a more reserved, conventional fashion. 

          My mom then said; “have fun girls,” and both my parents left the living room.  My dad came right back and introduced T.J. to D’Lisa and Beth and then, they both left for the night.

          “Maybe you’d better go chase your brother away so we can get started,” said D’Lisa rather matter-of-factly to Beth.

          “I think I will!” she replied laughing, as she walked back to the door, opened it and yelled, “Jason, don’t you have something to do at home?”

          Looking through the window, I could see Amanda’s mom had already driven away.  Jason was leaning against the back of the van with his arms crossed, looking down at Amanda.  She was just a few inches away, looking up at him.  I couldn’t see her face, but even in the dim light I could see Jason wearing that grin of his.  As soon as he heard Beth, he looked up, and then at his watch.  From where I was, it looked like he then grabbed Amanda’s hand for a couple of seconds and they both turned around, Amanda towards the house and Jason towards the other side of the van.  Beth held the door open, as Amanda entered and walked right over to D’Lisa.

          “Was that YOUR idea miss D’Lisa?” Amanda asked with her hands on her hips.  She was trying, but not doing a very good job of looking mad.

          D’Lisa then assumed the same pose and matter-of-factly said; “yes, it was, miss Amanda!  It’s about time you got in here.”  Then D’’Lisa just grabbed Amanda, gave her a hug and said, let’s get this party going.

          “OK, let me show you where everything is.  Follow me. …  First the bathroom.”  I started to walk into the kitchen and pointed to a room off the kitchen.  “This is a strange house and that’s where the bathroom is.”  I then led them back into the living room and then into the den.  “This is where the party will be and we’ll sleep on my bed and the couch.”  I pointed towards the open door to my room.  “Most of the food is already out, I’ll get the drinks.  Amanda, do you want to help me?”       

          “Sure,” replied Amanda as we both walked out of the den towards the kitchen. 

          I then grabbed her arm and whispered; “are you and Jason dating?”

          “Not really.  He’s not allowed to date anyone under 16 and I’m not allowed to date till I’m 16.  Our first official date is already planned and will be on my birthday, September 2nd.  It’ll still be kind of a group date because my dad’s not going to let me have a birthday without him.  Probably won’t till I’m 40 or 50.  That’s ok, I’m a patient woman,” she beamed as she responded.

          “That’s crazy, not till you’re 16?”

          “No, I don’t mind, like I said, I’m patient.   Watching my parents and other people I knew, I decided a long time ago that relationships are a lot like making jello, if you rush too much, they can dissolve pretty easy.  Besides the best things, really, are worth waiting for.  My parents, especially my mom, rushed things.  I want things to be different for me.”

          We grabbed a bunch of cans of soda and some bottles of juice and headed back to the den where D’Lisa and Beth were already deep in conversation about something.  It looked like Amanda had brought a couple big bags of candy and D’Lisa a couple bags of chips.  We’ll be sick tomorrow, but who cares,’ I thought to myself.

          “Let’s start with the movie first.  If it’s really horrible we can stop it early.”

“If it’s good, then maybe it’ll give us something else to talk about,” responded Beth.

          “Ok, the lady at the video store said we might need tissue, and there they are.” I pointed to a box of tissue on the floor, then grabbed the remote and sat on the floor in the middle of my friends.

          We could tell the movie was pretty old, some parts were kind of lame; but it was ok.  We all wondered and talked a little about why Charlie would want me to watch it.  The old lady was kind of funny.  When the kid’s parents died, Amanda grabbed the tissue.  We talked a little about how mean the old man was.  Beth thought it was the only way the old man could help the kid survive.  She pointed out that he had already let the horse go and there wasn’t enough time to take the kid back to town.  I wasn’t buying it and I didn’t think D’Lisa was either. 

Basically, the movie was about an old man who went back to where he grew up to die.  He had cancer and didn’t have long to live.  While he was traveling to his boyhood home out in the middle of nowhere, he witnessed the accidental death of the parents of a young boy now orphaned, helpless, and alone.  He didn’t think he could do much to help the boy at first but they both ended up learning something from each other, and the boy at least had a chance to survive, and even make it out of the outback alive, or that’s the impression the movie left with us.

          When the old man died, I could see the tears flowing from both Amanda and Beth and just a little from D’Lisa.  Maybe I’m a little more jaded.  I still thought the old man was pretty mean; but I did kind of feel bad for the boy who had to make it back to civilization, alone.  I guess I related more to the boy, I’d felt alone a lot in my life, even though I had lots of kids who had wanted to be my friends back in California, there wasn’t anyone I really felt close to, no one that I could really trust.  I then remembered how I felt when my parent’s business went bad.  I blamed them and didn’t think I could even trust them for a while, but that was all me.  They were just doing what they could and had to do.  I still didn’t totally understand, but I think they did the best they could, and unfortunately without much support from me.  I wondered if they ever felt alone.

          After the tears stopped, D’Lisa asked; “could any of you eat stuff like that?”

          “I’ve eaten a lot of stuff like that,” said Beth.  “My mom and dad both took a survival course in college.  That’s where they met.  Whenever we go camping my mom and dad look on the internet for something edible that they might find wherever we’re going then we try it if they can find it.  I’ve eaten all kinds of strange things.  Didn’t always like it; but I’ve tried it.  Jason loves Man vs. Wild and watches it all the time.  He wants to be special forces.”

          “I’ve eaten lots of different things too,” said Amanda.  “When we lived with my grandma, we ate a lot of traditional Shoshone food.  Pine nuts, biscuit root, … sort of tastes like potatoes, rice grass, rose hips, I love antelope.  Roots and eel, and lots of different kinds of fish and lots of berries.  My dad said they used to get tons of berries every year, but the federal government blocked a lot of the old roads and it’s hard to get to a lot of the best berry patches any more.  I think I liked most of the food we ate at my grandma’s; but we don‘t eat it any more.  My mom didn’t really like it, so we never eat it except once in a while at relatives.”

          I was really surprised and said; “I think I’d die before I’d eat a bug and there’s no way I’d catch fish with my hands.”

          “Gross! Me too!” Said D’Lisa, “There’s no way anybody could get me to eat any of that stuff.  I don’t even think I’d eat rabbit!”

          We talked a little more about survival and then the conversation somehow changed to death.  Amanda, Beth and D’Lisa all believe in life after death and thought they’d be with people they loved again.  Me, I’m not so sure. 

          ~

          Beth, speaking quietly continued, “my mom’s parents, grandma and grandpa Flanagan, live in Reno.  We see them three or four times a year.  We’re close, but not near as close as I am to my dad’s parents.  Some summers we practically lived with grandma and grandpa Teeples.  I was really sad when my grandma Teeples died.  When all the family got together for the funeral, it just felt good to be connected to everyone.  It’s kind of weird; but I think I felt closer to my family, even my grandma, after she died.  I think the hardest part was seeing how lonely my grandpa was.”

          After a pause, I interjected; “it wasn’t like that for me.  My grandmother was the only grandparent I ever really knew.  I had a grandfather who was still alive when I was born, but I don’t remember him.  My grandmother was incredible.  We used to cook together, have teas, and just lots of fun.  I knew she loved me; but, when she died, all I felt was lost and alone.  Life seemed totally out of control.  I think I decided I had to control other people to make up for the loss of control I felt.”  I paused and thought for a few seconds then said; “Wow! I can’t believe I just said that.  I don’t even know if I’d ever even thought it before tonight. … Ya know, I don’t think I’ve ever felt safe enough to talk to anyone about stuff like this since my grandmother died.”

          No one said anything for a while.  Beth and Amanda were each sitting on one side of me and put an arm around me, giving me a big hug.  D’Lisa reached over and gave my hand a squeeze.  I felt especially close to Amanda; but for some reason, even close to Beth, at least close enough to feel safe and trust her.  I was good with D’Lisa too; but didn’t really know her all that well yet.

          We didn’t play any games that night and didn’t get much sleep, just talked about things.  All kinds of things.  After a while the conversation lightened up and we were all laughing a lot and crying a little.  It was just nice.  Really nice.  I was happy.  REALLY happy. 

          ~

          Both Charlie and Tye were in my dreams that night.  Charlie was in the den, he was younger, but still had his prosthetic leg.  He looked miserably sad, and just said; ‘I’m sorry you have to go through this.’  It really disturbed me.  I then saw the 17-year-old Tye at the doorway of my bedroom.  It was the first time he had been there.  I could see him clearly except for his face, which was somehow darkened in a shadow.  It was easy to see his beautifully clear skin and toned physique; but unsettling that I was still unable to clearly see his face.  It was the first time I registered, or maybe just the first time I remembered his soft baritone voice.  As he spoke this time, there was almost a teasing quality to his speech.

          Why are you in my room?’ I asked.  I’m not supposed to have boys in here.’  He chuckled and responded, ‘Technically I’m not in your room.  I’ll leave; but we’re not alone, your friends are here with us.  Besides.  This was my room.’


 

Morningstar: Chapter 8: The Cabin

 Chapter 8: The Cabin

 

          My alarm went off at 6: A.M. ugg!!  I couldn’t believe I agreed to be picked up at 6:30 on a Saturday morning.  Beth and Amanda wanted to pick me up at 5: A.M.  I got the impression this sort of thing was normal for Beth, but I knew Amanda had no idea what five o’clock in the morning even looked like, on any day, let alone a Saturday.  (I thought 8: A.M. a reasonable time.)  We compromised, on my being picked up at 6:30 and Amanda at about 6:15.  I understood Amanda’s motivation.  The earlier, and the longer the day, the better.

          In-spite of my ambivalent feelings about the Teeples, my absolute loathing of snow and cold, and this indecent and ridiculous hour, I was in a pretty good mood.  I really don’t know why, but I was open to the possibility I might actually have some fun.  I won’t go so far as to say I was looking forward to it, but I wasn’t dreading it either.  My mom had loaned me some old ski pants she hadn’t worn in years and a waterproof jacket to go over my sweater and matching gloves and a matching beanie.  Dad told me to wear an extra pair of socks, no argument on that one, I hated cold feet. 

          I was sure Amanda had been primping since at least 5: A.M., but then I didn’t have anyone I was trying to impress.  Thirty minutes was all I needed. 

          About 6:25 I heard a quick beep out front and headed for the door.  My dad was already in the living room preparing the wall for painting.

          “Bye dad, have a great day.”

          “Bye Anna, have fun and be careful.  See you around eight?”

          “Yeah, that’s what they said.  We’ll eat up there so no worries about dinner,” and out I went, for my first major winter experience. 

          Jason was driving a blue minivan with Beth in the front seat and Amanda right behind Beth.  As soon as I opened the door of the house to leave, Amanda got out of the van to let me in.  I just figured she wanted to be able to keep a better eye on Jason.

          “Hi Anna,” Amanda said brightly as I walked up to the van.

          “Good morning Amanda,” I replied with about as much energy and enthusiasm I could muster this early in the morning.

          Beth and Jason both seemed in especially good moods.  The radio was on and Beth was actually singing and bouncing in her chair.  I’d never seen Beth so animated and excited; but then, I really didn’t know her.  Maybe this was how she was most of the time.  Jason was the first to say something once I was in the van.  “Hi Anna, you are going to have so much fun today.  We’ve got lots of great food.  Fruit and muffins, my mom made for breakfast.  Then we’ll be snowmobiling all morning.  For lunch, my grandpa’s five alarm chili.  More snowmobiling this afternoon, or if you guys want, there’s a great tubing hill, and we can do that, or we can go snowshoeing this afternoon.  Up to the three of you.  Tonight, we’ve got hotdogs with all the fixings you can imagine, including left over chili I’m sure, plus smores and hot chocolate.”

          Beth then jumped in really excited; “oh… my… gosh, we are going to have so much fun.  Grandpa leaves some hay out for deer and usually there’s a few there when we drive in.  As soon as we start the snowmobiles they’ll be gone, but it’s nice to see them for a little while.  This year has been colder than usual so grandpa gets Jason, my dad, or my uncle, to take him up a couple times a week to get some hay out.  He and my dad went yesterday, so there should be some hay left and we should see the deer.  Deer don’t do well on hay alone so he leaves some grain and other food they can munch on too.  Grandpa lost an eye in an accident a few years ago and the other eye doesn’t work so well, did I already tell you that?  Anyway, he’ll drive if he has to, but we usually drive him around.”  As we drove, I dozed a little; but think I got the gist of most of the conversation.  From what I heard, Beth talked about the cabin and things their family liked to do most during the trip out to her grandfather’s house.  Amanda hardly said anything, mostly just looked at Jason, once in a while glancing at Beth and saying uh huh.  I started to wake up a little more once we turned into a long, bumpy driveway; but what really woke me up was one of the most horrible stenches I had ever experienced.

          “What is that smell?” I asked.

          As soon as I asked the question Jason let out a big laugh, and answered, “that’s the smell of money, around here.   This is pretty-mild.  Some time I’ll have to take you out to some of the big dairies.  If you grow up around it, it’s a wonderful, sweet smell, but if you’re not used to it, I guess it can be pretty bad.”  Personally, I was glad my sense of smell wasn’t so warped that this could smell anything but horrible.

          “This is our grandpa’s place,” explained Jason as we drove up to an old farmhouse.  “Our grandma and grandpa used to have a small dairy.  Grandpa got rid of most of the cows when grandma got Alzheimer’s.  It was too much, keeping an eye on grandma and a herd of cows.  He still has a couple that he milks.  I think it costs him more than it’s worth, but he likes to keep busy and loves the cows.  There’s a couple of horses, an old dog and about 40 million cats.  They probably drink most of the milk.  Oh, plus grandpa.  That’s it for the farm anymore, except for when some of us kids or our cousins sleep over.  That happens a lot in the summer.  We all like to visit grandpa, help with what’s left of the farm and ride the horses.”  I could see a couple old barns and fences but couldn’t see any of the animals except a few cats.  Grandpa Teeples came out the door as we drove up.  He was kind of bent over a little and walked slowly and deliberately with a cane. 

          Beth and Jason immediately got out of the van.  Beth ran to her grandfather and gave him a big hug.  Grandpa Teeples was wearing a heavy winter coat, jeans, and boots with a cap.  He looked like he was a good five or six inches shorter than Beth, but part of that could have been age.  I could hear her say; “good morning grandpa.” She then ran on to the house and picked up a paper sack on the step.  Jason walked to his grandfather and said something I couldn’t hear.  He walked back to the van beside his grandfather and then turned and ran to the step and picked up the remaining two sacks.

          Beth had made it back to the van before her grandfather and Jason.  She opened the back and placed her sack inside, then opened the passenger door for her grandfather, then the side door and got in the back seat behind Amanda and me.

          “Grandpa, I think you’ve met Amanda, and this is Anna.  Anna, this is my grandfather, Mike Teeples.”

          “Nice to meet you Anna.  Charlie told me about you last night.  I’m glad you’re coming with us.  I’m sure you’ll have a good time.  Wonderful to see you again Amanda.  It’s been a long time.”

          I replied by saying; “Nice to meet you Mr. Teeples.”

          Amanda followed with; “Good to see you again Mr. Teeples.”

          Grandpa Teeples quickly responded by saying; “Oh, no, please just call me Mike.”

          By this time, Jason had put the sacks he was carrying with the others, had gotten back in the driver’s seat, and we were on our way to the cabin.  After grandpa Teeples got in the van he removed a blue knitted cap to reveal thinning silver hair.  His face had deep furrows from age and probably pain.  He had hazel eyes, which exhibited both kindness and pain.  His smile seemed sincere yet forced.

          “Mr. Teeples, er… I mean, Mike, I understand you’ve known Charlie for a very long time.” 

          “Yep, since we were boys.  We both grew up in the houses we’re living in.  His mom was still alive when he lost his leg and they both kind of took care of each other for a couple of years until she died.  When we were little we used to hunt and fish together every chance we got.  A few times I got my hide tanned because I was gone longer than we were supposed to be,” Mike said with a little grin.  “When we were really young, we’d mostly go fishing close to home.  We didn’t catch much, but we had a great time.  When we got older we’d take the horses and be gone for days; hunting and fishing.  After he got back from the Army we’d still go hunting and fishing when we could, but Martha, that’s my wife, wasn’t doing so good.  I would always have to get someone to come and stay with her when we’d go, so we didn’t go so much.  And, at first, it was pretty hard for him to get around with his new leg.”

          “Grandpa, tell them about the time you and Charlie went fishing up by Yellowstone a couple years ago;” asked Jason with a big grin.

          Mike, with an even bigger grin that seemed to wipe away most of his wrinkles and the obvious pain in his face said; “Ok, I can do that.  Then, Jason, you can tell them about the time you tried to take grandma canoeing.  Remember that time after she had Alzheimer’s?” 

          Jason let out a little laugh and said, “OK”

          “Let’s see,” Mike started, “Martha passed away just a couple years ago.  I was pretty lost without her.  Charlie said we needed to go fishing.  So, we packed up and headed for Henry’s Fork, that’s part of the Snake River.  We camped, fished a little, talked a lot and told a few stories, some of them true,” he added with another big grin and a wink. …  “We really had a great time and both of us forgot our pain.  On our way back, we took our time and drove around just to see some of the old places.  We stopped in this one little, tiny town.”  About this time Mike started laughing at his own story. 

“Me and Charlie wanted a soda, but the only place, looked like an old house that had been converted into a bar.  We found out later there had been a murder there a couple years before.  Pretty rough spot for two old broken down codgers. …  Anyway, we figured they’d have a soda, so we walked in.  It was early afternoon and the place looked like every man in this tiny town was already there, well on their way to getting drunk.  There was Charlie, gimpin along with one good leg.  I was already using a cane and this bunch looked pretty rough.  We went up to the bar and asked if they had any soda.  The bar tender was wiping a glass out with what looked like a dirty old rag.  He just looked at the two of us and got this big grin and said, “nope.”  Then a couple of the men at the bar… started chuckling… and some other men… were making cracks about us.  We decided… we’d better just leave… and turned around to head for the door…  I was so nervous… I had no idea what I was doing… I opened the first door I saw… and walked through with Charlie right behind… closing the door… as soon as he was through.”  By this time Mike was laughing hysterically, only saying a few words at a time as he alternated between laughing and telling the story.  Both Jason and Beth were laughing with him, but not quite as hard.  After pausing to get his breath and being able to talk again, Mike continued; “As soon as I had gone through the door, I realized it was the wrong door.  Charlie didn’t realize until he closed the door behind him. … We were both standing in a single toilet, bathroom with a sink and barely enough room for the two of us.  Charlie just looked at me, shook his head and said, “hells bells Mike.”  He then just turned around, opened the door, and we both gimped out… with as much dignity as we could muster.   By this time, the whole bar was laughing and yelling at us, asking what the two of us old men were doing in the can together.  Charlie found the front door and we limped out.  We could still hear them as we got in the pickup.  With what dignity we had left, we stopped at Ashton and got ourselves a soda, some gas, and headed straight home.”  Mike started laughing again and by this time, Amanda and I were laughing too.  I don’t know if it was because it was so funny or because Mike, Jason, and Beth were all laughing so hard.  After a while, things quieted down, and Jason started his story.

          “Our family loves to go camping.  We’ve done it as long as I can remember, and lots of times grandma and grandpa would go with us, if they could get our uncle to take care of the cows.  When the Lings were here, they would go with us too.  We almost always had a great time.  Not long before grandma passed away, we went to this really beautiful lake up by Yellowstone for a week.  It’s called Horseshoe Lake.  It’s a great place to camp and it’s a great place for canoeing.  One section of the lake has lily pads.  Grandma loved lily pads and wanted to see them up close.  She was insisting, and said she was going to take a canoe herself.  She was far enough along with the Alzheimer’s we knew that wouldn’t be safe, so I told her I’d take her, and we’d go get a couple flowers.  It was weird how she remembered things like that but couldn’t remember what happened five minutes before.  She was happy when I told her I‘d take her.  Grandma was from Sugar City, up in Idaho and used to go to the lake as a little girl.  Like I said, she didn’t remember much, but she remembered this lake.  I had a hard time getting her to wear a life jacket, but finally got it on her, and the two of us headed out on the lake, with her in front.  We were fine going over to the lily pads and I picked a few flowers and gave them to her.  She was so happy and I think it reminded her of things when she was little.  She started to cry a little as we were going back.  I was in the back, paddling, and keeping a close eye on her.  All the sudden she decided she didn’t like the life jacket and managed to get it off, even though I kept telling her she needed to keep it on.  She just kept saying she knew what she was doing and could decide for herself.  After she got the life jacket off, she decided she wanted to show me the flowers she had.  I told her she could show them to me when we got back to camp, but she was insisting and started standing up so she could turn around.  I was freaking out.  I just knew she was going to fall in and drown.  By this time, I was firmly telling her to sit down.  Grandpa could see what was going on from the shore and was yelling as loud as he could, “MARTHA SIT DOWN!”  She would hesitate and start to sit down and then start to stand up again.  The canoe was rocking back and forth.  I was panicked.  Grandma was yelling, telling us not to tell her what to do!  Grandpa was freaking out and yelling, and by this time mom, dad, Thomas and Mark, were all at the shore yelling for grandma to sit down.”  By this point in the story, all three Teeples were laughing again. 

“We were about fifteen feet from shore, and it happened.  Grandma fell in, the canoe tipped over and I went in after her.”  Obviously, this had a happy ending because everyone was still laughing, including Amanda and me.  “Fortunately, she went in where she did.  If we’d been closer to shore, she might have hit her head on some rocks.  I was able to touch bottom so had no problem grabbing grandma, who was flailing her arms and yelling for me to save her flowers.  Dad came out and got grandma and I gathered the canoe, paddles, her life jacket, and her precious flowers.  By the time she changed into dry clothes she had forgotten all about it and kept insisting we go back out on the lake.  It was everything we could do to keep changing the subject until it got too dark for her to want to go anymore.” 

          After the laughter died down I asked; “you didn’t mention Beth.  Didn’t she go with you?”  Jason immediately started laughing pretty hard and said, “same camping trip, different story.  Mom and Beth are always walking around with bare feet.  Even when we go camping.” 

          I could hear Beth behind me say; “oh great!”

          “Dad’s always telling them they really should at least wear flip flops or something; but do they listen???  Heck no!  Dad and Grandpa had gone for a walk with the boys.  Mom, grandma, Beth, and I were cooking.  Grandma was being as helpful as she could, but you had to be careful.  If you didn’t watch really carefully, she would throw things in that you DID NOT want to eat.  Mom would say; Martha, I don’t think we need the shells this time and grandma would get a little upset and say; ‘oh, I wasn’t going to put them in;’ but, we knew from experience that if we didn’t pay close attention, egg shells or pine needles or whatever would get in the food.  Anyway, Beth was getting some extra eggs because we had to throw out a batch when grandma wasn’t looking because she had put the shells in and stirred them up with the eggs.  As she was walking back, Beth stepped on a Bee.  Beth is allergic.  It’s not so bad that she has to go to the hospital, but we take medicine with us when we go camping in the summer.  She spent the rest of the morning with her foot in ice and could hardly walk for a couple days.”

          “Thanks Jason!” replied Beth as Jason again stopped laughing.

          “Mike, you said when you and Charlie went fishing you told lots of stories.  What kind of stories did Charlie tell?”

          “Mostly stories about his life in the army.  Funny stories, but almost never any stories about either war.  Charlie didn’t like to talk much about Vietnam or the Gulf War.  I understood and never pushed it.  My dad was the same way.  He was in the navy during World War II and loved to tell funny stories about his experiences, but never talked about any of the battles, or anything really bad.  Sometimes Charlie liked to tell traditional Shoshone and Nez Perce stories.  Lots about coyote.  I remember sometimes he would stop and talk about Bobby Sekaquaptewa and say that Bobby and coyote were alike in some ways.  I remember him telling a story about why White Fish has so many bones and Eel doesn’t.  He said it was because Eel lost a game of stick and bones.  When he would tell animal stories, he would do it with a complete serious straight face like he was telling the absolute truth.  He could really tell some whoppers.  Sometimes he would talk about an old Indian Legend about magical stones.  I don’t think the story was either Nez Perce or Shoshone.  I think he picked it up from some friends from another tribe while he was in the Army.  Sometimes he would talk about the Lings.”

          Mike then asked Amanda about her family and me about mine.  Beth told a few stories, but none of them as good as the ones we had already heard.  All of this helped pass the time and before we knew it, we were turning onto another long bumpy, very snowy road.

          “Don’t worry, the van is four-wheel drive and we have studded snow tires,” Jason assured us with his characteristically warm smile.  I don’t know if he noticed my look of fear through the mirror or what, but it sounded reassuring, even though we seemed to be sliding all over the place with a close, steep, drop into a stream part of the way. 

          Finally, we slowed down to almost a stop and Beth pointing said; “look! deer.”  There were four or five deer next to a small barn which was next to a just barely larger log cabin.  It was absolutely, breathtakingly beautiful.  It looked like it came right out of a postcard.  There was a small porch with wooden posts in front.  Two windows looking onto the porch and two windows on the side.  There was also one window that looked like a partial second story on top, and in front, with a rock chimney rising from some place on the other side.  The snow had been shoveled from the porch, from the porch along a path to where Jason parked the van.  Another path had been cleared of snow going back to the barn and another path moving off some place to the right.  Mike opened the door and Jason seemed to be right there already, helping his grandfather out of the van.

          “Oh, I’m ok, I don’t need any help!”

          “I know you don’t, just want to make sure.”  Jason didn’t take his grandfather’s arm or anything, just walked next to him as they slowly walked up to the cabin, unlocked, and then went through the door.  Amanda and I then got out, followed by Beth, who immediately went around to the back of the van to unload.  Amanda and I followed and found a lot more than just the three bags brought from Mike’s.  The path was icy, and I had to grab the van at one point to keep from falling.

          “How much are we going to eat?” Amanda asked in amazement.

          “It’s not all for today.  Some of its stuff we’ll use later,” responded Beth.

          Each of us grabbed a bag and headed to the door.  Jason got back just as we were leaving the van and grabbed a couple of bags which left two.

          “Don’t worry, I’ll come back and get the last two,” said Jason.

          The cabin was cold and except for the light from the windows, dark.  Mike was already making a fire in the fireplace.  It wasn’t just an open fireplace, but had some kind of insert, similar to the one at Charlie’s.  I figured it was probably more efficient than just a regular fireplace.  As we walked into the cabin we were in a big living room that had a couple of old mismatched couches.  There was an old oversize stuffed chair and a wooden rocking chair.  In the middle was a coffee table.  This was organized with a couch on each side of the fireplace and the two chairs facing the fireplace.   Opposite the fireplace, but in the same room was an old table with metal and plastic covered chairs.  It looked like a set from a really old cheap restaurant like I’d seen in some TV shows.  In the back and on one side was a kitchen and on the other side was what looked like a bedroom; though, it was too dark to see for sure.  Just above us was open; but, about half the living room and the rest of the house was covered by some-kind-of-loft.  Circular stairs led up to the loft.  It didn’t take Mike long to get a fire going and Amanda and I huddled close to get a little warmer.  Mike then walked into the kitchen and to my surprise, started lighting a fire in the stove.  I had never seen this kind of stove.  After Jason brought the last two bags in, and Beth had helped either take things out or put things away, Jason lit a couple of lanterns and Beth walked over to us to get warm.

          “Where’s the bathroom?” I whispered to Beth.  “I really gotta go.”

          “Me too.” whispered Amanda.

          Beth grinned and said; “this may be your biggest adventure of the day.  Remember the path you saw as we came in.  The one that went to the right?  Well, you’re really lucky.  My dad cleared the ice and snow off the seat yesterday.  Anyway, follow the path,” she continued to smile as she gave us directions.  Both Amanda and I quickly walked back out the cabin door and followed the path, which was now to our left.  When we got there we both looked at each other.  I wondered if she was thinking the same thing I was.  I wondered how badly I had to go and if there was any way I could hold it till we got home.  After a fairly short pause, I entered.  I have NEVER been so cold in ALL my life; but we both survived.  I was shivering harder than I had ever shivered.

          “Amanda,” I shivered, “I’ve seen these in pictures and movies, but had no idea anyone still used these things.  Are you sure this is worth it?”

          “I hope so,” Amanda stuttered in return.

          When we got back in the house, it already seemed a lot warmer; but my behind, wouldn’t be warm for some time.  By this time, the fire in the fireplace was really going and there was a fire in the kitchen stove.

          Beth was setting out some fruit, muffins and juice, and said, “Jason will help you with the water in the kitchen so you can wash up.”  I wondered what this meant but soon found Jason in the kitchen next to some-kind-of-pump.  As soon as we walked in, he started pumping and with a big smile, handed us each a bar of soap.

          “When we come in for lunch, maybe we’ll have hot water, but that will take a while so it’s cold for now, sorry.”

          Jason continued to pump until we were both done washing and drying…  This wasn’t, quiet, as bad as the toilet, but almost.

          After we finished eating, we started cleaning up and Mike said; “you kids go snowmobiling.  I’ll clean up and start cooking.”

          “Thanks grandpa, thanks Mike,” we all said, as we walked back into the kitchen, washed up again, and headed out the door.  Jason was in the lead and took us around towards the barn.  The deer were still eating as we approached, and we were able to get, within about twenty feet of them.  They seemed to hardly notice us as Jason unlocked and opened two large doors that revealed more hay, what looked like saddles, other horse things, and two snowmobiles with large gas cans next to them. 

          “They’re already filled up and ready to go,” said Jason.  “Dad made sure they were running yesterday when he came up with grandpa.”  Jason then went over to one and got on.  One of you will ride with me and the other with Beth.  After a while we’ll switch and you two can drive,” Jason said looking at me and Amanda.  Beth was already on the other snowmobile and had it started. 

          She yelled; “grandpa makes us wear helmets,” as she put on a helmet that had been sitting on the seat and held out another. 

          Jason had already put one on and yelled, “who’s with me?” 

          Amanda just froze for what seemed an eternity.  ‘Of all the times to be shy,’’ I thought and gave Amanda a nudge towards Jason and walked over to Beth and took the other helmet.  I then went snowmobiling for the first time in my life and let me tell you: I’D NEVER HAD SO MUCH FUN IN ALL MY LIFE!  We went all over the place.  Like Beth said, all the animals were gone as soon as the engines started but we had a blast.  The scenery was absolutely breathtaking.  I drove a little and so did Amanda but gave it back to Beth to drive after just a little while.  I was too scared to go fast and fast was more fun, so I let Beth drive most the time.  It was almost 12:30 and Beth and Jason both said we’d better get back for lunch.  We started, one behind the other, down a road and then a field opened-up to the cabin.  Before long we were racing across the field.  IT WAS SO FUN!  Me and Beth beat Jason and Amanda.  Afterwards Beth told me it was because Jason let us have the faster machine.  When we got to the cabin, Mike was standing out on the porch.

          “For Crying Out Loud in The Night Jason!  What did I tell you about racing?” 

          Jason lowered his head and said, “sorry grandpa.”

          “Well, come on in, lunch is on the table and the chili’s hot,” yelled Mike as he walked back into the cabin.

          Jason didn’t say anything but let out just a little smirk.  So did Beth.

          When we got back into the cabin, we went through the same ritual of washing our hands at the pump in the kitchen.  After being out in the cold all morning and after the fires had been going, it was too hot and we all took our extra clothes off.  Jason wasn’t kidding about the chili being hot, in both ways.  It took a few bites to get used to but was delicious.  The hot chocolate was incredibly rich. 

          “What’s with this hot chocolate?” I asked.  “It’s amazing.  I’ve never tasted anything like it.”

          “It’s fresh whole milk, with the cream,” responded Beth.

          Amanda had started to loosen up and was talking a lot more, asking all the Teeples questions about the cabin and the area we rode through earlier.  Mike had calmed down and didn’t seem to be mad anymore.  Jason started telling more funny stories about the family and a few about wrestling.  Some of the family stories poked just a little fun at Beth and she didn’t seem to appreciate that too much; but on the other hand, she didn’t really seem to mind, too much either.  I’ll give him this, what Jason lacked in looks, he made up in personality.  He could be very funny.  We were all laughing so hard, one time, Amanda shot chocolate out her nose.  She was obviously embarrassed; but Beth just put her arm around her and gave her a little squeeze and it all seemed better.  We all laughed, and it was ok.  Everyone, even Amanda told stories; but none of them as funny as Jason’s.  I think it was more his voice and animation than what he actually said, he was just funny and could make the funniest faces.

          After a pretty long lunch, Beth asked; “it’s getting pretty late.  Do you want to go out and snowmobile some more, or do you want to do something else?  We have some games if you want to just stay in here and talk, we can do that.”

          “I’ll go back out if everyone else wants. It was really fun this morning; but I’m having a great time now.  If it’s ok, I’d rather stay in here, play games, and just talk,” said Amanda.

          I was surprised at so much assertiveness from Amanda.  Being in complete agreement, though, I nodded my head and said, “yeah, me too.”  I really did have a great time but was utterly exhausted and really having fun just hanging and talking by the fire. 

          “I’m good with that,” said Jason.  “I’ll go put the snowmobiles away and lock the barn.”

          “Let’s get everything cleaned up and we can find a game and sit down by the fire.” Beth stood up and started clearing the dishes as she was talking.  “Grandpa heated a couple tubs of water on the stove.  We’ll wash in one and rinse in the other and be done in no time.  I’ll wash, who wants to rise and who wants to dry?”

          “I’ll rinse,” Amanda responded.

          “How about I wash and you dry Beth, you know where everything goes.”  I thought this would make more sense plus I really didn’t mind washing.

          “Ok, let me take the washcloth and wash the table off first,” replied Beth as she put an old washcloth in a tub of soapy water and returned to wash the table.  There were two tubs of water sitting on a counter.  As soon as Beth returned, I started washing and was surprised how quickly the job was done and how much fun I had actually had.  All three of us were talking and giggling the whole time.  By the time we were finishing up, and started looking around, we noticed that Mike was gone and Jason had either not come back or was gone again.

          “Who wants to go out-side and see what Jason’s up to, and when he’s coming back in?” asked Beth.

          “I will,” responded Amanda immediately with predictable enthusiasm.

          “Ok, you go check and me and Anna will get this finished up and find a game.  We have Scrabble, Sorry, Monopoly… that would take too long, UNO, and Clue.  Any preference?”

          “I really don’t like Scrabble very much, but any of the others would be ok,” said Amanda as she put her coat and boots back on and left the cabin.

          “How bout you Anna, what do you want to play?” 

          “I’ve never heard of UNO, what’s that like?”

          “It’s a card game.  Pretty simple.  The nice thing is it’s easy to talk and pay at the same time.”

          “That sounds good, let’s try it.”

          “Ok, I’ll grab it from the cupboard.  If you and Amanda don’t like it, we can switch to another game.”  Beth walked over to a cupboard in the kitchen area and pulled out a box that said, Uno then took it over to the coffee table by the fireplace.  

          Just then Jason opened the door and walked in with an arm full of wood followed by Amanda with a smaller load.  They were talking and laughing about something.  Jason walked over to the fireplace and put his wood in a nearby box.  Amanda brought her load into the kitchen.

          “Where does this go Beth?” asked Amanda.

““Right in here.”  Beth walked back to the kitchen and pointed to another box, not touching, but sitting just to the side of the stove.  “Thanks for bringing it in.  Jason, what’s grandpa up to?”

          “He’s out chopping wood,” responded Jason with a little laugh.

          “You know Jason, he really shouldn’t be doing stuff like that.”

          “Well, Beth, I guess you can be the one to go tell him.” Jason grinned as he responded.  “You know you can’t tell grandpa he can’t do something.  Besides, I’ve heard him say a million times, he’d rather die doing something he likes, then just waste away.”

          “Well, I’m not in any hurry to have it happen, and I sure don’t want it to happen when we have company, AND when we’re out in the woods like this without a phone.”

          “He’ll be fine.  He’s leaning against the barn and only cutting kindling.”

          After a pause in their conversation, and while Jason was adding wood to the fire I asked; “what’s upstairs?”

          “Oh my gosh, I forgot to show you.  It’s really cool,” responded Beth, as she motioned for Amanda and me to follow her up the metal circular stairs.  At the top of the stairs was a loft or balcony.  We could see out the upstairs front window.  We could see part of the trails we had snowmobiled on earlier that day.  At one end of the balcony was a bookshelf with lots of what looked like pretty old books.  At the other end was some-kind-of-cupboard.  The loft had a wooden railing and we could see the fireplace, front door, and one of the couches and chairs below.  There were two doors that opened onto the balcony.  Beth opened the one to the left and said, “this is another bedroom.  The one downstairs is bigger and has a queen bed.  Both of the ones up here have twin beds.  Let me show you the back window.”  Beth walked in the bedroom.  The ceiling was slanted to one side and there was a small armoire, dresser, and nightstand with a lantern on it.  As we got to the back, Beth opened the window curtains and said, “isn’t that beautiful?”  It really was beautiful.  I could see part of the barn and some fence, but just beyond that was what looked like a creek or stream with a little bridge arching across.  I thought to myself it was probably the same creek we had followed part of the way here.   

After taking turns looking out the window.  (It wasn’t wide enough for all three of us or even two of us to really get a good look at the same time.)  Beth said, “I’ll show you the other room.  It’s basically the same, but we’ll go look.  There’s three bedrooms and both the couches downstairs open into beds.  When all the cousins are here in the summer, most the kids sleep outside.”  We then walked out the first bedroom and into the second.  It was basically the same, but both Amanda and I walked to the window anyway, to take another look behind the cabin.  After staring for a while, we walked back out onto the balcony and down the circular stairs.

          “It’s about time you got back.  Are we going to play cards?”  Jason had already dealt a hand to each of us and was sitting on one of the coaches.

          We all sat down in front of the coffee table.  The fire was going pretty good and it was very warm in that part of the cabin.  Amanda sat next to Jason and Beth and I sat on the other side.  Jason explained UNO and we began to play.  Beth was right, it wasn’t a game that made you think really hard, but then again, I didn’t really care if I won or not.  We were too busy talking about family and friends and things we’d done and wanted to do.  They all asked questions about San Francisco, especially Amanda.  Jason was a 49’rs fan and we talked a little about sports.  Beth and Jason were really into basketball and big Jazz fans.  They sounded really worried about the Jazz season.  Beth seemed especially hyper about it, talking about what coach Sloan should and shouldn’t do, management mistakes, who was and wasn’t healthy and who was slacking.  Both Beth and Jason played basketball in school.  Jason played baseball too, and Beth played volleyball.  According to both Jason and Amanda, Beth was an exceptionally good volleyball player.  I’m not that into sports but it was still interesting.  After a while, the UNO game just kind-a stopped without anyone winning. 

          We were all so engrossed in just talking and laughing that we forgot everything else until it got cold enough that Amanda nudged Jason and asked; “could you turn up the heat a little?”

          Jason looking like he had just been startled out of a trance, jumped just slightly and said, “oh, I guess it is getting a little cold.” Then put some more wood on the fire, warming the room again quickly.

          Jason then told more funny stories, which I expected he might have embellished just a little.  It was obvious that both he and his dad were big jokesters.  Not that they would have to wait for the excuse, but I got the impression April 1st may be Max and Jason’s favorite holiday. 

          Beth told a couple stories about jokes Max and Jason had played over the years. “One time in the middle of the night on the morning of April 1st, my dad got up super early and turned all the electricity off in the house.  He then went into every room and turned radios, CD players, TV’s, lights, and about anything he could think of, that would make a noise or light, on and up.  He then went back to the breaker and turned the power on.  Thomas and Mark came running out of their room to my mom and dad’s room.  I fell out of bed.  Once the noise was turned off, I could hear Jason laughing and yelling: “Good one dad!”  And… I could hear Mom yell; “Max!”  Mom and I went looking for dad but he wasn’t anywhere in the house.  We could see the light on in the shop.  After a while he walked in like nothing had happened and asked why we were all up…  Just matter-of-factly said he’d been out working in the shop for hours.  Eventually he always confessed, and that time he confessed by lunch.  Mom was SO mad, but I think she forgave him by dinner, because by then there was way too much PDA going on again.

Another time Jason played a really good joke on mom and dad.  It was sometime in January or February.  They have an electric blanket with dual controls.  One-time Jason snuck into their bedroom and very carefully ran the controls behind the bed to the opposite sides.  When they got in bed, dad was too hot and kept turning his control down.  Mom was too cold and kept turning hers up.  Dad just kept getting hotter and mom kept getting colder until they figured it out.  Dad got a good laugh out of it; mom wasn’t so happy.”

          “OK, sometimes I wonder if you guys speak a different language here. What’s PDA other than an electronic device?” I was finally comfortable enough to ask a few of my ‘stupid’ questions.

          “Oh, PDA is public display of affection,” replied Beth. “I think our parents sometimes kiss and hug in front of us a little too much just to gross us out.”

          “OK, I have another one for you. What’s a granola?”

          “A granola is a person, usually from the east or west coast who moves to the mountains in the west to “get back to nature.” They’re usually tree huggers and don’t have anywhere near the common sense of the native people who’ve lived here for thousands of years.  They do stupid things like set up tepees in the mountains and live there all year and freeze their behinds off.  They might live in a cabin like this year around and that wouldn’t be too bad; but even though I love it here, I wouldn’t want to live here all the time. They’re not a bad sort, just kind of kooky,” responded Jason.

          “So, I’m not a granola?” I asked.

          “Heck no! You’re just one of them ‘Californians.’ Jason replied with his characteristic grin that was beginning to grow on me and using a funny voice to say the word Californians.

          “Did someone call you a granola?”

          ““Yeah, one of my first days.  Just didn’t know what it meant.”  Looking at Beth then Amanda, I asked; “for some reason Charlie wanted me to watch this old movie, The Earthling.  I decided to get it.  It will be here next Friday.  Do you want to come over and watch it with me, maybe spend the night?” I then looked at Jason and smiled, “Sorry Jason, you’re not invited.”

          Jason laughed, shaking his head and said, “That’s ok, really not into sleepovers anyway.”

          “Sure, that would be fun, I’ll bring food.  Do I need anything else?” asked Beth.

          “No, we’ve got plenty of blankets and I have this huge queen size bed and the couch in the den is a pull out.”

          “I was going to hang with D’Lisa Friday night, but we don’t have plans. Can I bring her?” asked Amanda.

          “Sure, that would be great. Ok with you Beth?”

          “Fine with me.”

          “D’Lisa usually goes to Mass early on Saturday with her family, but they can just pick her up.  She’s ok for another day, even if she doesn’t get much sleep,” responded Amanda with her genuine enthusiasm.

          “Great, about 7.”

          “Sounds good,” replied both Beth and Amanda.

          About then the door opened, and Mike walked in. “Jason, would you run me up the road for a few minutes? I told the Wilson’s I’d take a gander at their cabin every-once-in-a-while this winter since they’re snow birding down in St. George this winter.  We’ve had a pretty good snow and I want to check their roof.  It’s getting late, you girls might want to get the hot chocolate and hot dogs going and we can do the smores when we get back.  I’ll have Jason put the hot dogs on the porch before we leave.”

          “Sure grandpa. I’ll grab my coat and boots and be right out.” 

          Jason and Mike were out the door within just a couple minutes, and I looked at Amanda and then Beth. “See what I mean about the language. What does gander mean?”

          I was looking at Amanda, who responded, “I have absolutely no idea.”

          I then turned and looked at Beth, who grinned and said, “that’s a really old term, grandpa uses it all the time but most people around here don’t say it much anymore.  It means look.  He’s going to take a look at the cabin.  Grandpa has all kinds of expressions like that. Some are pretty embarrassing.”

          “Ok, what’s snow birding?” I then asked.

          “Oh, I know that one,” responded Amanda with a happy/proud look on her face. “It’s something some old people do in the winter. They go south.”

          Just the way Amanda said it made me laugh. 

          Beth then went into the kitchen and got out a pot for water.  "One of you want to come pump for me?  We're out of milk, so will have to make the hot chocolate with powdered mix.  Not as good, but it’ll do."

          "Sure." Responded Amanda as she got up and went to the kitchen to pump.

          "I’ll grab the hot dogs from the porch, and we can have everything ready when grandpa and Jason get back." After adding a little wood to the stove and blowing on the fire a little Beth walked over to a cupboard and got out some long stick things that looked sort of like a very long two-pronged fork.

          "What are those for?" I asked.

          "We'll open up the front of the stove in the fireplace and cook our hot dogs inside. We can put a couple on at a time. I'll get started so we can eat when grandpa and Jason get back.  See that bag on the counter." Beth pointed one of the bags. "There's hotdog buns and all kinds of condiments.  Would one of you grab that sack and take it to the coffee table.  The other sack over here on the floor," Beth pointed to another sack. "has paper plates, more napkins, chocolate, marshmallows, and gram crackers."  Amanda grabbed the first bag, and I grabbed the second.

          We had just barely cooked the first batch of hotdogs when Jason and Mike got back.  Soon we were all eating hot dogs, smores, and drinking hot chocolate.  I had never had smores before.  They were a mess, and we were all laughing about it, even Mike.  It felt good to see Mike laughing again.  Most of the time he really did look like he was in a lot of pain.  I think being with his grandkids and us and laughing helped him take his mind off the pain, maybe it even made it go away just a little.

          It was getting dark by then and we all cleaned up. Beth put the fire out in the stove and Jason put it out in the fireplace.  Mike and Jason put the lanterns out as we were leaving, and Mike locked up.

          Maybe, this had been the best day of my life. I had not been so happy since that one summer I spent with my grandma before she died.

          Unfortunately, things were about to change for the worse. Much, much, worse.