Chapter Twenty-Six

“Lift, you skinny wimp!” Sean screamed as Kevin dipped the front end of a couch too low and missed the ramp onto the truck.

“I am!” Kevin yelled back. “You’re going too damned fast...slow down!”

“Charlie has more upper body strength than you!”

“Bite me, dumbass! Some of us got brawn, others got the brains.”

“You two haven’t changed since grade school,” Caroline said as she came into the van behind them with cardboard boxes. “Do I need to get the hose and break this up?”

“He started it!” Kevin and Sean answered simultaneously

“Take a break,” Caroline said. “It’s obvious one of you needs a timeout, and I’m too tired to decide which one.”

“Fine,” Kevin said, and stormed down the ramp. “I’m taking my timeout in the kitchen, with a beer.”

Sean fell onto the sofa, and Caroline joined him. “It’s starting to look better in there,” she said. “Do you think you can work your magic and turn it into something resembling a home?”

“I know we can make it look great. The real problem is, can we convince Mom to move in?”

Sean laid his head on the back of the sofa, noticing the box Caroline brought in. “What’s in there?”

“Stuff from my dad’s house; pots, pans...oh, and these.” She pulled out a pair of dingy ice skates. “Believe it or not, these were once white. I went through a figure skating phase in eighth grade.”

She went on, “Mom used to take me to the rink at dawn, three days a week, for lessons. God bless her. I thank my lucky stars Trev never wanted to play hockey. That’s not the kind of schedule I’m willing to keep.”

Caroline pulled back the tongue of the left skate. “See these stars?” Sean leaned over for a closer look as she explained, “I drew one every time I landed a double axel. Notice there’s only two; thus, my career as a professional skater was short-lived.”

“Skating’s loss is advertising’s gain,” Sean teased.

“Thanks.” She put the skates back in the box and placed it in the pile with the other donations. “I still remember those early morning practices. Mom sat in the freezing rink without a single complaint. I was so lucky to have her, even for a short time. I miss her, every single day.”

“She was one in a million, just like her daughter,” Sean said.

Caroline smiled. “Speaking of mother-daughters...Do you think Lib is okay?”

“I checked my phone a few minutes ago, no urgent texts for help, so I assume Mom either entertained the idea, or Lib is bound and gagged somewhere unable to call for help.”

He scanned the truck and let out a long whistle. “I can’t believe all this stuff was crammed into that little house.”

“I know,” Caroline said. “Once the junk came out you can see the size of the place. I think it’s perfect for Mae—enough room, and plenty of privacy.”

“I had a job over in New Haven a few weeks back, an old Victorian the owners wanted to update,” Sean explained. “They were going to toss out the old claw foot tub, so I snagged it. I think it would be perfect in here. And I’ve picked up some old door knobs and hinges that would look fantastic in the kitchen.”

Caroline looked at him and grinned. “You are excited about this, aren’t you?”

“I have downtime right now. This should be a good project to keep me busy during the winter.”

He looked at Caroline, her head tilted to one side and eyebrows raised. He said, “Okay, yes, I’m excited. I actually like restoration work better than new construction, and yes, I enjoy a challenge. Happy?”

“Yes. You can try and be blasé all you want, but I know you want to do this for your mom, and that’s why you’re a good egg, Sean McGinn.” She gave him what she intended to be a quick kiss on the lips, but lingered slightly longer than smart.

Sean grabbed onto the back of her neck and deepened the kiss before she could pull back. Her lips parted, and a moan from deep in her dormant sex drive sent his mouth into frenzy. She found the bottom of his soft cotton T-shirt and slipped her hands under the hem. Running her fingers over his chest hair, his nipples snapped to attention, along with his common sense.

“Whoa,”—he reluctantly pulled an inch back—“I have to breathe. Give me a second.” His panting was matched only by hers. His low growl warned, “You’re opening an old door here, Duffy. Once it’s open, I’m coming in, slamming it shut, and putting up the Do Not Disturb sign until neither one of us can move. No one in, no one out. I’ve waited too long.”

She licked her plumped-with-kisses lips.

He groaned. “You play dirty,” he said. “I like it.”

The sound of a car in the driveway sent them scrambling to their feet and to the truck ramp.

Caroline waved to Libby and Mae as they got out of the car. “I feel like I just got caught making out on the front porch,” she said between her smiling teeth.

“You’re lucky they came when they did,” he said. “If it were up to me we’d be testing the springs on that old couch right now.”

Sean mirrored her clenched smile and waved to Mae and Libby as he said, “Forget what I said in the office the other day. This is not over. Not by a long shot. We’re just getting started.”

Caroline felt heat creep into her cheeks as she walked over to say hello. “Welcome to chaos!” she said to Mae and Libby. “How was brunch? Did you have the omelets, or the French toast? I love The Mill, they have the best food.”

Mae hugged Caroline, and said, “You can stop acting like a cruise director, dear. I appreciate it, but there’s no need. I’m considering the idea you kids came up with.” Mae frowned and put her hand to Caroline’s head. “Are you feeling well, Caroline? You look flushed.”

“Oh,” Caroline stammered. “Well, it must be all the moving and lifting. I’m a little overheated, that’s all.”

Sean jumped down from the truck and joined the group. “Hi Mom, how was brunch?”

“Sean Bernard?” Mae saw her son’s equally rosy complexion. “Is everything all right?”

Libby took note that he ran his left hand through his hair.

“Sure, why?” he answered, again hand-combing lefty.

“No reason,” Mae’s lips broke into a sly smile. Well, well, well, it’s about time. “You both appear a little overheated. Don’t they, Libby?”

Libby’s stare went from Caroline to Sean and back again. Neither looked her in the eye. “Why yes, they do look a little red.” No way, there is no way—Sean and Caroline? That has to border on incest, in a strangely good way. “Where are Bob and Kevin?” she asked. “Shouldn’t they be helping?”

“Kevin’s in the house on his beer break. Union rules,” Sean said. “I think Bob is in the back room sorting tools—lots of metal banging going on.”

He looked at Mae. “So Mom, you’re okay with this? Living this close to Lib would drive me to drink. Think you can handle it?”

Libby slapped his arm.

“Darling,”—Mae put her hand on his cheek—“I know you will build me a palace out of a pile of sand. Or in this case, a lovely apartment out of a tool shed.”

“Mom,” Libby interrupted, “this is far from a tool shed. All you’ve seen is the piles of junk stored in there, not the real house. It’s somewhat nice once you get past the clutter—wood floors and lots of light; private, and still be close enough to drive me ’round the bend. Come in and take a look.”

Cleaning efforts were evident when the group walked in. All boxes and dilapidated furniture had been removed from the living room, Caroline gave the floors a quick sweep and damp mop hours earlier, and the small fieldstone hearth was vacuumed clean of cobwebs and waiting for a toasty fire. In the miniature kitchen, the scrubbed-clean lead-glass cabinet doors sparkled over the now-empty-of-old-magazines-and-newspapers porcelain sink.

“I have to admit, this is much nicer than I anticipated,” Mae said. “It still needs loads of work. Are you sure, there’s time for this, Sean? I know the lion’s share of the work is on your shoulders.”

“I’ve got time, Mom. And Lib, Caroline and Suzanne are going to help you pick out the fixtures and girly touches.”

“Right,” Caroline added, “And Sean even has a—”

Before she could tell Mae about the claw foot tub, Sean yanked her into his chest and clamped a hand over her mouth.

“Shh, it’s a surprise. Mom has to wait and see.” Sean released her mouth but left his arm snugly around her waist.

The earlier crimson returned to Caroline’s cheeks, confirming Mae’s suspicion the couple’s complexions had nothing to do with the day’s manual labors.

A loud crash came from the bedroom. “Shit!” Bob yelled.

Libby ran to the room, followed closely by the rest.

Bob, seated on the floor, rubbed his foot. “Dropped a training wheel on my toe,” he said. “Those suckers are heavy.”

“Poor baby.” Libby sat alongside him. “But it looks like you made a ton of progress back here.”

“It is amazing how much crap you can accumulate in such a short period of time.” He pointed to boxes by the door. “Those are pictures and stuff you probably want to keep; the rest of this can go.”

Libby frowned. The top box brimmed with trophies. “Are you sure you want to part with the triumphs of your youth?” she asked.

“Honey, you are the only trophy I need.” He planted a dramatic kiss on her lips.

“Aw, he’s so sweet.” Caroline said.

“Not so fast.” Libby wiggled free. “We’ve been together long enough for me to know you want something in return. What is it?”

Bob stood and dusted off his pants. With a smirk on his face, he said, “You know me so well. As it just so happens I found some of my old Yankees pictures, from back in my apartment, and I got to thinking. You know that blank wall in the living room, the one that screams for some artwork?”

“I’m going to regret this, but yes.”

“I was thinking of getting some of these eight-by-tens framed up and hanging them over Old Stink. Great idea, right?”

Sean picked up the pictures, and said, “These are awesome, Bob. You know I could put some direct overhead accent lighting in and really bring attention to them—especially this one.” He held up a black-and-white team photo of the 1937 World Series Champion New York Yankees.

Bob’s face lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. “Really? That would be perfect!”

“Yes, Sean, perfect.” Libby sighed. “Maybe while you’re at it you can put a urinal in the downstairs bathroom; really make it feel more stadium-like.”

The front door closed, and Kevin entered. “Here’s where you all went.” He gave Mae a quick kiss. “What do you think of the place, Mom?”

Mae walked around the bedroom and took in the large windows and hardwood floors. “It does have a certain charm.”

“Did Sean show you the blueprints yet?”

“You had time to draw up blueprints?” Libby asked.

“Preliminary stuff, nothing set in stone. I thought it would help Mom get a better idea what the place would look like after we’re done.”

“Wow, I’m impressed. When did you have the time to do that?”

“I had a few hours last night and took a shot at it.”

“Wait a minute,” Kevin said. “I thought you had a hot date with that dental hygienist last night.”

Sean cast a glance at Caroline. Their eyes met and held. “Change of plans.”

He smiled and switched subject. “I left the blueprints on the kitchen table. How about we head in and all take a look.”

****

With everyone seated around Libby and Bob’s kitchen table, Sean explained the designs. “I figure we’ll need to rough in the heat and AC first. Surprisingly, the electrical is in decent shape. As far as the kitchen goes, Mom, you are going to need to pick out some appliances and a new faucet, but I think it would be great to keep the original sink; it’s got a lot of character.”

“I agree.” Mae answered. “How bad is the plumbing? You know Daddy always said plumbing kills the budget.”

“I can’t tell until we put the water back on out there, but it looks like one of the previous owners took a stab at bringing it up to code. It shouldn’t be too bad, but you are going to want to add a shower. That will be some work. What about a dishwasher?”

“I don’t need one; I rarely use mine, as it is. I’d rather you spend time buffing up those floors and double insulating.”

Libby tapped her fingers on the table. “Give us a ballpark, big brother,” she said. “How long do you think the project will take?”

“I know I sound like a typical contractor, but the truth is it’s hard to say. We’re not making any significant structural changes. Adding a full bathroom and new roof will take time, and we need permits. That’s mostly a matter of getting the town inspectors out here and on schedule. If we start the first of the year, to be safe, I’d say three months.”

“Mom,” Kevin spoke up. “I know Suzanne is not your favorite person, but we were wondering if you would like to stay with us and help with Saratoga until the place is ready. We can make it work if you’re willing to give it a try?”

“I appreciate that, Kevin.” She held his hand. “The last weeks have been lovely, but I think we both know that’s not a smart idea. And not because of Suzanne, who for the record, I love just as much as the rest of you—but we need to take each other in limited blocks of time. Living together that long would be too difficult.”

Bob stood up and went to the fridge. “Mae, you can stay here,” he called over his shoulder. “You’ll have to cook for your room and board. Someone’s got to save us from Lib’s gourmet experiments.”

Libby wanted to kiss and kick him at the same time.

“You are a sweet man to say that, and my favorite son-in-law, to boot,” Mae said, “but I’ve made other plans.”

The group shared joint confusion.

She explained, “I spoke with William last night, and he invited me to live with him for a while. At the time, it was just a stopgap until I could figure out what to do next, but now we have a plan and I’ll enjoy the time away—worry free. I think a warm climate for the next few months is just what the doctor ordered. After all, Will and I are not getting any younger, and we hardly ever see each other.”

A quizzical look on her face, she asked, “Do you think if William has dementia, he’ll forget he’s gay? Good Lord, he’ll come out of the closet so many times he’ll need a revolving door.” No one laughed.

“For the love of Mike, people, lighten up, it’s dementia humor. If I can’t laugh about it once in a while, what’s the point? All of you need to stop looking at me like I’m going to break. I’m okay today. We’ll deal with tomorrow when it gets here. Stop borrowing worry. All it will give you is indigestion.”

Caroline hugged Mae. “That sounds like fabulous advice. No more worrying tonight. How about we order some Chinese food and finish tossing the garbage out of the cottage.

Kevin slapped the table and stood up to leave. “Good plan. I’ve got to go get Suzanne and Sara from her parent’s place, but we can swing back here after. Place an order at Moon Dynasty and I’ll grab it on my way past.”

“I love it when Kevin pays.” Bob clapped his hands together. “I’m ordering double egg rolls. I deserve them today.”

“We all do.” Sean dug his keys from his pocket. “I’ll run the truck back to the office. José’s going to take it to the shelter for me on Monday. Be back in about an hour.”