Someone's Son Chapter 9

CHAPTER NINE

His father came a little later today, 9:15 AM instead of 9 AM. He's usually right on schedule, Sheldon thought. That gave him a few extra minutes to ponder things.

          He wore his new khaki pants and khaki hat. Camouflage type. So the deer wouldn't see him. Each time they went out now, they looked for the elusive animals. “Trees must keep blocking my view," Sheldon had said. He was sure his father was teasing about deer living in great numbers in the woods.

          "Parents teach their young to be watchful and wary," his father said.

          “Maybe there's one watching now from the bushes," Sheldon answered at the time.      

"I packed a great lunch," his mother said, interrupting his thoughts.

He was happy she was easier to get along with this week. Not nagging as much. Sheldon liked that. She's off his case about his room. Now he didn't feel the need to kick any dirty clothes under the bed.

          "Hide and seek again?" his mother used to say.

          Instead he’s firing them into the clothes hamper. Sometimes he really believes he's changing his attitude. And Troy’s name hasn’t been mentioned once, since Sheldon had avoided him lately. Even chewing his thumbnail has been cut down. And believe it or not, the bed isn't getting wet as much. And, his nightmares weren't coming so often. Was having his father around helping him settle down?

          And mom seems much happier.

 

The familiar 'toot-toot' from the car worked its way through the front door. Sheldon thundered down the stairs.

          "Not so fast...be careful," Sheldon and his mom sing-sang together.

          She looked at him, head cocked to the right, arms folded. Sheldon thought she looked younger these days.

          He blew her a kiss. After all, she was his mom. Maybe a little hug would put cream on the pie, or how about one big hug? He waggled his fingers. "Bye mom," and headed out the door. He carried his swimming suit and towel. The sun was a ball of fire pouring a warm smile over everything.

          "It's going to be a great day," Sheldon said out loud. He didn't mind if the whole world knew he really felt good. And he hoped it would stay that way. He knew he was a terrible swimmer, since he was afraid of water. If his feet couldn't touch, then watch out. He was dangerous to be around when he panicked.

          Someone would have to sock him in the jaw if they ever tried to save him. His mom said he had a bad scare at summer camp when he was seven. A couple of bigger kids had picked him up then thrown him off the dock into deep water.

          They figured it would help the little scared-cat boy learn how to swim. Except, it had the opposite effect. Remembering that day almost made his body go rigid. Good thing a counselor was nearby then or he wouldn't be here now. His parents wouldn't allow him to go to summer camp from that moment on.

          His father didn't say anything as Sheldon approached the car. Usually he peppered Sheldon with questions, about the past week. Almost like he was a lawyer on some TV program.

          "Did you do this? Did you enjoy that? And what do you think of...?" On and on it went, about school and his friends. Each Saturday was like 'Twenty Questions.' Everything that happened to Sheldon during the week had to be shared. Actually, Sheldon didn't mind. At least his father was interested in what was happening to his son.

          His father continued to quietly sit in the car this morning. Sheldon stopped looking around and began watching him. His father looked at his watch, eyes darting back and forth. Sheldon thought his father had something to say, but didn't quite know how to say it.

          Do adults have as many problems as kids? Sheldon wondered. Was there something on his father's mind that he could help him with? Sheldon felt he should lighten up the trip a little. So he rattled on about usual kid stuff. His hands moved around a lot when he talked. “Just like a Frenchman,” Larry had often said. Before long he had his father laughing.

          The boy told stories, like the one about Jamie, his friend down the street. “He kept pestering me for a ride on my new bike. He didn't understand the word, "No." Sheldon laughed as he remembered the incident. “And after Jamie took it anyway, I grabbed it back, plus an apology. The next time I might bop him a good one.”

          His father seemed pleased Sheldon was standing up for his rights. “But drop the bopping, okay?” he asked.

          “And Julia… Sheldon continued …Jamie's sister, stuck her tongue at me, because I said she was ugly.” That really happened two weeks ago, but he threw the story in anyways. Stuff like that. But none of it seemed earth shattering right now. His father wasn't laughing anymore. Maybe Sheldon's tongue went too far. "Sorry about Jamie's sister. I'll apologize, promise," the boy said.

          "Right. I'll feel better then," his father answered.

          Then Sheldon changed the subject. "I'm doing my chores around the house more cheerfully now," he said. Sheldon looked forward to going places with his father. It was important for both of them to be happy, since pushing away any thoughts of running away.

          So he finally shut up.

          The familiar smell of his father's cigarette smoke made Sheldon wrinkle his nose. But there were other good things to think about. He didn't want to make any more negative comments.

          Sheldon had grown used to going out often with Larry. Now he felt comfortable with his father taking him every Saturday. Their new relationship helped make up for some of the time missed.

Sheldon hardly saw Troy anymore, either.

          For him it was an exciting time to look forward to. During lunch or whenever he spoke to Larry on the phone, he was always sharing what his father and he had done.

“I’m really happy for you Shel,” Larry said.

Sheldon wondered if Larry was getting even a little jealous.

 

A head full of thoughts disappeared as the car rolled along. Then they arrived at a familiar spot, Cook's Brook, north of Bass River.

          Father and son sat quietly for a few minutes. Sheldon jumped when his father said, "OK, sport, out." The man had been so quiet all the way, Sheldon almost asked, "What's bothering you?” But he didn't.

          The trail they were on was near one of Larry's good spots. It was a real wilderness area, of about ten thousand acres of deep forest. How did his father know about this place? Larry took Sheldon often to this area. "It's a super place," Larry had said. "Lots of wildlife here. Animals call it their Paradise."

          Father and son now walked for what seemed like two miles. As they arrived at their destination, two men and a lady were leaving the falls.

          What a 'cool' place.

          From twenty feet above, a ledge marked the spot where braver kids jumped into a deep pool. The Falls looked inviting, and Sheldon couldn't wait to get cooled off. Sheldon and his father changed into their swimming trunks.

          His father had been more of a stranger at first. Now he was closer to being a great buddy. And Sheldon kept hoping he might be a full-time dad again. Not just one day a week.

          His father led the way into the water. "Take it easy at first," he said. "Let your body get used to the temperature change. Splash water on your wrist, face, shoulders, heart and belly button, like this." It was exactly what Larry told Sheldon to do.

          Sheldon’s father stepped boldly into the water. It took a bit longer for Sheldon to do the same. The next two hours were filled with laughing and screaming. Imagine, Sheldon having fun with his father. It was like a dream come true.

          It looked funny with Sheldon and his father not moving, heads sticking out of the water, like two frogs.

          His father moved closer to Sheldon. Then closer. The man's eyes were dripping water. Sheldon had a strange feeling that some of the moisture was more like tears. His father moved to within a foot of Sheldon's face. The boy wasn't uncomfortable. Sheldon simply stared at his father's nose and eyes and the hair now beginning to fall out.

          A sudden feeling in Sheldon's heart caused him to also do something special. He moved forward slowly until his nose touched his father's. And then he gently pushed. His father pushed back.

          "I love you," his father said. Sheldon squeezed his eyes shut, then opened them and answered, "I love you too!" 

          After drying off and leaving the waterfall they didn't go straight home. Sheldon found out the day wasn't over yet.

          They drove into Larry's yard and Sheldon opened his eyes really wide. Now he knew why his father acted so mysterious today. A surprise birthday party! Mom quickly explained they were celebrating his twelfth birthday all over again. It was because his father missed it. Everyone was there, Mom, Larry, Troy, his aunts, cousin Diane and even, Melanie.

          They had hot dogs, hamburgers, pop and everything else to eat. And of course, every color of different sized balloons. Even auntie's dog Jody was getting in on the eating fun. The birthday cake was yellow and green. And the candles were huge as fireworks.

          Sheldon scrunched up his face and whooshed out all those burning flames. He barely had breath left over to laugh. But, somehow he did. He noticed his father smiling. Mom too, even Larry.

          "Happy birthday Sheldon!!" their voices shouted.

          It was a great day. He had many awesome gifts- ‘Save the Earth’ track pants, sweaters, a poster of a deer and even a $20.00 bill in a card. Many pictures were taken, with Sheldon being in most of them. The boy decided the next time his father came to get him on Saturday, he was going to call him, “Dad.” Just like he wanted. He didn't think mom or Larry would mind.

          Sheldon couldn't wait.