"We found Mom and Jeff chatting away, mostly about raising kids and how tiring and wonderful it can be."
"This was Carter's last Day camp although he'll still spend some time with his friend Auggie but he will be mostly under Chase or Janisse' care. I suppose I should include Jem in that, Carter is totally in Jem's camp," Jeff explained.
"Little ones have always flocked to him, I hope he has that effect on our newest family member. We are welcoming a little four year old boy into our family Tuesday afternoon. Jem suggested that it might be a good idea to ask if Carter could be here to meet him as well. It might put the boy at ease since he's had some troubles being the youngest at his group home."
"That's wonderful, Minnie, you're so kind to open your home to a child in need. I can see where Jem gets his attitudes towards people. I am continually impressed by his poise and his bearing. Often I feel like I'm speaking with another adult."
"He's always been a remarkable boy and so serious sometimes. The things he thinks about sometimes are well beyond the average child. And then he'll do something very childlike and astonish me."
"Well I think that Carter would enjoy meeting your new son, perhaps as you say he can put him at ease and it will be good for Carter. His best friend's Mother has just informed me that they will be moving away before school starts and it will be a wrench for both boys."
"Oh I'm so sorry to hear that, one of Jem's little friends was just devastated when Jem told him we were moving. But Jem brought him closer with another of his friends and the two boys were able to bond and ease the pain of losing Jem."
"I think it would kill my Chase if Jem moved away at this point. You do know they are very close, don't you?"
"Yes, and they seem so right with each other. Almost as if the fates had contrived to bring him here to meet your son. Chase is another remarkable boy and Jem tells me he looks after Carter like he was his own son and not his brother."
"Yes that was one of our first conversations, he commented how close Carter and Chase are. It was an amazing insight from a boy of his age. He told me if Carter was scratched, Chase would bleed. And he's really impressed our housekeeper, she's absolutely in love with his singing voice, he's sung Carter to sleep several times and now he's got Chase doing it as well."
"I always wanted him to join the choir but he prefers the piano. He says his voice will eventually change and who knows what it will sound like afterwards, but a well-tuned piano is very reliable."
"Well you have to admit he's right; it took years before I sang again after mine changed. I can carry a tune but I won't be performing at the Met," Jeff chuckled.
"We all like to sing when Jem is at the piano, all our friends have enjoyed those evenings and I see no reason to stop."
"Did he tell you that he taught Carter I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts? It was wonderful, we all had a great time that night."
"Well here they come with little Carter; he is so adorable."
"Minnie do you know the circumstances that brought this little boy to your attention?"
"Yes, he was abandoned at a park, a nice couple noticed him and invited him to join them and their children for lunch, and after asking where his family was, he couldn't answer. So they called the Police who in turn called Child Services, I'm afraid that's all I know."
"That's so sad, well I think they've found a great place for him in your family."
Jeff turned to Carter and lifted him up. "Do you think you could help a little boy that's coming to live here get used to the place? He might need someone to lean on for a while."
"Sure Daddy, when will he be here?"
Minnie tells me he'll be here Tuesday; would you like to be here to greet him?"
"Yes Daddy, I'd like that. Um, how old is he?"
"He's four just like you, isn't that something?"
"It will be great to have someone my own age right across the street. Will Chase be here Tuesday too."
"I would expect so, this little boy will be his brother soon. Just like Jem is your brother now."
Carter smiled broadly and hugged Jeff's neck.
"I need to take these two home and get them fed. I hope you'll all join us for dinner soon. It will likely be a while before you're able to use your kitchen effectively. And please let me know if you need any kind of help."
"We will Jeff, thank you."
I kissed Chase and Carter goodbye and gave Jeff a hug. I watched them walk across the street and up their front stairs.
I returned to Art's apartment to find Mom repacking her suitcase. "I'm going to break in the new guest bed. I have everything I need to spend the night and then the movers will arrive early tomorrow. The new fridge has all I need and I bought a small coffee maker for the guest room."
"Are you sure Mom, I could sleep there and you could use the room up here another night."
"No dear, I'm sure. It will allow me to get my mind in the right place to meet the challenges the next week is going to throw at us. You should know that there is a police investigation regarding little John and how he ended up at the park. They haven't told me much and John couldn't tell them anything except he came to the park with his Aunt Tammy and she left. He said she had done it before but she always came back for him."
"That's terrible Mom, but it sort of explains how he was abandoned. Maybe she went to get them some lunch and had an accident, she could be in a hospital or something."
"I don't have any answers sweetheart, it's a very sad situation any way you look at it though."
"Do you worry that they'll find her and take John away?"
"No, I fear that it's something worse and little John will need us all the more because of it."
"We'll help him through it Mom, whatever it is."
Mom threw her arms around me and sobbed for a few seconds but regained her composure quickly. She's a strong woman but the plight of that little boy touched her heart.
"Hey Jem, I put your bike in the garage and here's something Dave threw into the deal."
Art held up a soft case with a high quality air pump and repair kit with a set of hand tools included.
"I hope you told him how much I would appreciate this. I'll call him and thank him myself."
"I did and I think it would be a nice gesture for you to call and thank him. I didn't even need to suggest it," Art grinned.
"Thanks for picking it up Art, but we're not ready to relax yet. We have a mission."
"A mission?"
"Nothing intense, we just need to move all of John's new furniture to the room next to me. That way he can get to me quickly if he needs me during the night. We'll have the movers put my piano in the other room so we have to do it today I'm afraid."
"Somehow I don't think that was Mom's idea. But it's a good one. Let's go, it won't take long except maybe the bed. I'll grab my tool bag and see you up there okay?"
"Thanks Art, I'll see you there."
Disassembling the firetruck bed was the most difficult part of the project but Art is good with tools and we got the whole thing done in half an hour. Mom came up and grabbed the wall decorations and rehung them in John's room.
I was up early the next day and rousted Art from his bed, Seneca complained loudly at being disturbed. I figured the movers would block the driveway and suggested Art put his and Mom's cars on the street. While he was doing that I received a visitor.
"Hello traveler, are things going well?"
"They seem to be, I've made some adjustments in bedroom assignments. I want to be able to hear if he's upset and for him to have access if he needs it."
"I think that is best, I came to inform you of some details that have been passed down. The police will find the boy's aunt or at least her body in a parking lot near the Bremerton ferry docks. She was murdered by a client who met her at the park and who then left her in the back of her own van. His mother died early in his life from drug use and the aunt took good care of him while she continued working the streets. The father is known to the observers but they have not passed on his identity. They have only indicated that the man is not a candidate for fatherhood."
"What of the murderer, what if he thinks the boy can identify him?"
"I cannot answer that, I don't have that information. I will communicate your concern to the observers."
"Thank you messenger, I suppose they have considered all contingencies."
"Perhaps, or they may have neglected that facet of human behavior."
"Maybe they should all spend some time as a watcher, messenger or communicator and get a better feel for the people of this planet."
"Perhaps, but it's unlikely."
We chuckled at the thought of observers getting their hands dirty.
"I understand you have heard from young Nate, is that so?"
"Yes, he's very happy with his new arrangement, he tells me the man is kind and affectionate. He said it was strange to have someone treat him that way but he has developed a taste for it. You and your contacts have done a great job."
"Well it was your suggestion but thank you for the commendation."
"Will you keep me informed if there are any developments?"
"Certainly, even if it's outside channels. Messengers have quite a bit of discretion in that respect."
"Thank you Messenger, I will wait to hear from you."
"Very good traveler, I will be in touch."
And then he was gone.
I looked out Art's front window and saw the moving truck arriving, the truck carried our furniture, clothing and household goods. There were another hundred boxes of things in four pods that would be delivered one at a time so their contents could be distributed to the attic or basement. The pianos would be delivered by a special truck and crew and my Studio piano would be placed in the room across the hall from my bedroom. While Mom's Steinway would be set up in the large living room on the main floor. The movers were completely finished in six hours, a few things ended up in the wrong rooms but with eight guys carrying things back and forth but it was easy to put right. Around 5:30 Mom and I got into the rental car and Art drove Mom's XC90 and we drove to Seatac. Mom dropped off the rental and Art drove on to the terminal. We were a bit early but so was Dad's flight and we found him waiting for his luggage. It was great to see him again; I had really missed him. Jeff had been very free with hugs and kisses but it wasn't the same as having my own dad pick me up and squeeze.
Once all the greetings were completed Dad asked if I could watch for his bag. I would know it anywhere; it had the family tartan applied to it with a neon green luggage tag. Dad needed to go to the baggage counter to collect his lock box. The lock box contained two of his pistols and several of my gold coins plus other family valuables.
I spotted Dad's bag as soon as it hit the carousel and I was able to whip in and snatch it.
"Well that's a distinctive bag I have to say," a woman commented.
I smiled and carried Dad's bag to where Mom was sitting with Art. I left the bag with them and walked up behind Dad wrapping my arms around his waist. Things could get back to normal now and I had a great deal to share with him. On the drive home Dad and I sat in the back while Mom drove.
"How was your barbecue on the beach Dad?" I asked.
"Very nice, it was just officers and we mostly told war stories and bad jokes, I will genuinely miss those guys. Funny thing, Brad Holtz has been active, I received a letter from the Under Sheriff's office here in King county asking if I would consider a lateral transfer to their reserve program."
"I'm not surprised Dad, you'd be a valuable asset to any department. With your experience you'd probably be back as a Field Training Officer or supervisor. The news has been saying that King county is shorthanded and they are really trying to recruit people."
"I suppose a lot of that will depend on how flexible they are and of course Boeing's view on the whole thing. I will still need to travel although not quite as much. That will give you and me more time together."
"I would like that Dad. I've really missed you but I've had some nice experiences while I've been here."
"Yes, I heard you made it up to Pike place. I stopped in there a year ago and it wasn't like I remembered it. We came out here in the seventies and it was very weird but in a cool way. I half expected to meet the Adam's family along one of those narrow corridors. They had all sorts of curio and relic shops. A few amazing bookstores and all manner of interesting people. I enjoyed it immensely."
"That's where Gramma bought all that Rookwood pottery wasn't it?" I asked.
"That's right, she found a dozen or so pieces of Rookwood and the seller put a ridiculously low price on it. She insisted on paying a fair price and still came out ahead. She also scolded him for not knowing his inventory and told him to get a book on pottery," Dad recounted.
"I like that story, Gramma was une femme formidable wasn't she Dad," I asked.
"You could certainly say that," He grinned.
Mom stopped suddenly as a car turned left against the light in front of her and then again when a Seattle P.D. car whooped and took off after it with its emergency lights on.
"I love instant Karma," Mom cackled evilly.
"Dear I have a lady and her work crew coming over in the morning to hang the new drapes and some of the wall hangings. We have blinds but they look so stark. Also the piano crew will be here tomorrow as well," Mom informed Dad
"I took the door to the room off and I'll pull the other one across from it in the morning, just to make sure they can make the turn," I put in.
"Good thinking Jem, I'm sure they'll appreciate your foresight," Dad replied.
Dad exited the car and regarded the house for a minute. "I think this was the right choice, and after a few things get done it will be perfect."
"Dad have you met little John?" I asked.
"Nope, I bought him sight unseen," he grinned and then, "no son, I 've only seen pictures and heard the results of your mother's time with him. Are you excited to be a big brother at last?" he inquired.
"Yes Dad, I've been practicing with Chase's little brother Carter."
"You will love him Dear; Carter is adorable, he'll be here when John arrives. Jem thought it might make John more comfortable to have someone like him at our first family meeting."
"That's good thinking Jem, I heard you and Art moved his bed and things into your attached practice space. That was very thoughtful."
"He might get frightened at night and I wanted to be able to hear him if he cries or calls out."
"What do you think of all this Art?" You've not said much."
"Sorry Dad, I'm a little preoccupied. But I think it's great that you're taking the little guy in. He's going to need a good home."
"So what has you so cloud headed?"
"A librarian at UW her name is Madeline and it's getting serious pretty fast. Since my trip got delayed she will be able to join me for the trip to D.C. and then I will take her up to Harvard's Widener library."
"That's great son, I knew you'd find someone who met your standards," Dad teased.
"I think she might be smarter than me actually, I hope I can meet her standards," Art chuckled.
"It sounds like our little family is in for some changes, but we welcome them," Right Minnie?
"That say's it nicely Mike," Mom agreed.