Changes, Again - 11. So, Now That You’re Here

 

I woke still in Don’s arms on Sunday morning. It was comfy there, but I wanted to move, so I rolled onto my back. Don stirred.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“Horses, foster son, not necessarily in that order. Also … I’ve been thinking about Christmas … since I spoke to my mom.”

Don flipped to his side, facing me. “It’s just October. There’s your birthday in a couple of weeks.”

“Yeah. But … well, it doesn’t matter. We’ll go out or something; the three of us.”

“I am sorry about the trip, Lous.” He kissed me.

“It’s okay, honestly. I’m happy, Don. I’m home, we have Max, things are good.”

“Okay, as long as you’re okay.” He reached up and ran his hand over my cheek. He smiled the gentle smile I loved so well, and then said, “So, what’s this about Christmas?”

“Mom, invited us.”

Don gazed at me for a moment. “Christmas in St. John’s? You know that might be a real good time. Maxy too?”

“Yes, she said to bring Max. I said we needed to wait and see. I guess we’d need the okay for him to travel, but he should be all right. I’d like to talk to him about it though. If he really doesn’t want to go then Ma could come here.”

Don kissed me again and ran his hands down my chest and belly. He mumbled into my neck, “Mmmm, yep she can anytime.”

Oh, this was feeling good. Too good. Suddenly Don’s kisses were everywhere. I was about to surrender when my text message alert pinged.

Don who normally would not have been stopped, did. This was Max’s influence, I felt sure.

“Is that Max?”

I read the text. “Yes, he needs the facilities, could I please come and he’s so sorry.”

Don sighed. “Poor kid. It shouldn’t be much longer. You know babe, I don’t want to take him back tonight.”

“No.” I kissed him, before sitting up. I sent a quick, on my way, to Max. “I don’t want to either. But we need to, and hopefully he will be here with us permanently, soon. I guess we’ll need to chat with them about that.” I pulled on some track pants and a t-shirt. “I’ll be back in a few minutes to shower with you if you want.”

He leered at me and licked his lips. “Oh yeah, I want.”

I laughed out loud. I blew him a kiss as I left.

 

I knocked on Max’s door and waited for his reply.

Once he did, I entered the room. “Hey, morning.”

He grinned at me. “Morning, Louis. Let’s do this.”

We were improving and I said so when I went back in to help him up again. “We’ll be perfect soon, and then you won’t need me to be around anymore.”

“Yeah, I’ll be glad when I do this on my own.”

“I know. It won’t be long.” We left his bathroom. “I’m gonna shower and then see to the horses.”

“Louis?”

I turned around. “Yes, Max?”

“Do you know when I can just stay? I mean, I don’t want to go back.”

I sighed a little, and sat on the bed. “We don’t want you to either. Robert … Mr. Walker … is going to find out when you can leave the hospital.”

“Thanks, Louis. I’m not gonna make a big fuss later. I’m just going to do what we need to do.”

Getting to my feet, I said, “Positive thinking, that’s the best way. You’ll be here very soon, I’m sure.”

He grinned at me.

“Listen it’s early still. I’ll ask Don if he’d like to ride, and you two can go out while I fix some breakfast and stuff.”

“Oh, I’d love that, Louis.”

“Let me run it by Don.” I walked toward the doorway.

“Can I go downstairs?”

I turned and leaned on the doorframe. “You officially live here. That means you can go downstairs, raid the fridge, watch TV, sit outside. This is your home now.”

“Okay, thanks a lot, Louis.”

“Yep.” I left Max and went back to shower with Donny.

As I dried Don’s back, I bent and kissed him. “Why don’t you take Max for a ride this morning. It looks nice out. I’ll make waffles, bacon and eggs, and stuff for a nice breakfast.”

He twisted around. “You sure that’s okay?”

I wasn’t sure what he meant. “Do you mean am I okay with that, or is Max okay enough to ride?”

“Both.”

“Yes, to both.”

“Sure, then. I’d like that a lot.”

 

Everyone got dressed, and I went out to give the horses a light feed. I gave them a quick brush while they ate their small rations. I did Badger first as he didn’t mind my interfering during his snack. Clyde was more highly strung and preferred to eat and then be groomed.

I’d made coffee, and we had a cup before Don and Max went for their ride. Max asked for a glass of milk instead. We sat around the table chatting for a few minutes.

Don sipped his beverage and placed the mug on the table. “Max, um, Louis had a call from his mom the other day.”

The boy smiled at me. “That’s nice.”

“Yeah, she asked if we’d go out to Newfoundland for Christmas. You’re invited, just something to think about … you know … you don’t have to decide—”

Max’s head spun toward Don. “Really! Newfoundland?”

I was surprised at his enthusiasm. “Yeah, we weren’t sure … well, we don’t know who or what you’d ….”

“Oh, that would be so great.” Max was excited. “I’d love that. Can we please go?”

Don was grinning. “Wow, so I guess we’re going, Lous.”

That was easier than I’d expected. Some more to add to my list of things to do: get a place to stay that was wheelchair accessible; a place to board the horses; and then there was work to deal with. I added them to my mental list.

“Great. I’ll let Ma know, and make arrangements.” I smiled at my little family. “Let’s get you two on your way. There will be food when you get back.”

We got the horses saddled. Don was on Clyde as he could handle riding slowly without his usual saddle. Max was on the ever-patient Badger. They waved to me as they walked off for a nice trail ride. I felt a bit left out.

“I think I see a third horse in our future.” I laughed and went into the kitchen to prepare our breakfast feast.

 

Once everything was ready, bacon and sausages cooked, and the waffle batter resting in the fridge, I went up to my office and did a bit more work. I turned on my new computer and looked at flights from Toronto to Newfoundland, and more importantly I was looking for accommodations that were wheelchair friendly. We couldn’t stay at Laura’s or Ma’s places.

“Hotels have wheelchair access, but wow, that’s too pricey I think.” I decided to look at short-term house rentals and AirBnB. There was a nice big street-level apartment for rent. It was accessible, and well, we may have to make do a little bit, but there was lots of space, a fireplace and lots of other amenities. The price was right for what we’d be getting as well.

I looked at the price and compared it to a hotel. “Less altogether, and we could have food and meals there if we wanted to.”

I decided to send an ‘I’m interested’ e-mail. This caused me to wonder if we could rent a van, or if maybe we should just drive. The driving thing didn’t appeal because it was winter and The Rock is known for its snow.

My phone pinged. I opened the text message from Donny. “On our way back! Hungry. We had a brilliant time!”

I smiled and jotted some final notes and ideas before shutting down my computer. Trotting down the stairs I turned the oven on low and flicked on the waffle maker to heat. Then I went outside to watch the riders return. I grabbed the lead ropes and a small grooming kit. I’d give the horses a quick brush and hoof clean, then put them in the pasture.

Once the riders were back in their wheelchairs, I unsaddled the horses. Each was quickly groomed. I led them to the pasture gate, opened it and walked them through, removing the lead ropes from their halters. I rubbed each of their heads, and told them to go on.

They didn’t move. Instead, each of them gave me a little push.

“What?”

Shoving their noses into my coat, they hunted for treats. I did have some with me. “You two are awful.” I pulled out several slices of carrot and shared them. Once they’d finished munching, I patted each once more and then left them. Together they wandered up the hill toward the trees and fresh grass.

 

Returning home, I washed in the mud room and hung up my jacket. I went into the kitchen to see the coffee started and the first batch of waffles in the maker.

“Hey, thanks!”

Don looked up, from fruit he was rinsing for a fruit salad. “Seems our newly minted foster child can cook waffles.”

I popped a blueberry in my mouth and then bent to kiss my husband. “Excellent!”

Max sat next to the waffle maker. “My mom showed me how. She said: At least you can cook yourself something."

“That’s true!” I grinned at him. “I’m sure there are lots of things you can cook or prepare. Cooking is just practice, and the biggest things to get right are, not everything needs to be cooked on high, and timing. That could be the hardest thing.”

The waffle maker pinged, Max removed the finished one and poured batter for another. He placed the waffle on the rack which was inside the warming oven.

I finished setting the table while we waited for the rest of the waffles to cook.

 

It wasn’t long before we sat down to a nice Sunday breakfast.

“Listen, you two, just because I’m working from home now, doesn’t mean I’ll be doing this on a daily basis.” I put a spoonful of Don’s fruit salad on my plate.

“Just on Sunday, Louis?” Max lifted a syrupy piece of waffle to his lips.

I eyed him carefully. “Maybe.”

Don sliced a breakfast sausage and stabbed it with his fork. “That’s good, Louis, nice and non-committal.”

We chatted and laughed. Eventually we quieted down and ate.

Max seemed to become a little distracted. I’d noticed this was usually a precursor to a difficult question.

“Ummm, can I ask you guys something?”

Don glanced at me, but he answered. “Anytime, Max.”

“So … well, the guys in the hospital …. Well, I told them that maybe I’d be getting a foster home soon.” He was suddenly silent and then said, “And … oh, it doesn’t matter. Sorry.”

Don frowned. “Look, I think you should just say or ask what you want to. Don’t hold stuff in, Max.”

The boy sighed.

I reached out and gripped his forearm. “Don’s right. If you have something on your mind that’s concerning you, say so, or ask.”

“Okay, well, I told them and they said lots of awful things, like foster kids get beaten up, and that, well … you were only probably doing it for the money.”

I sat back and looked at Don. I didn’t want to handle this one. This parenting thing was going to be a challenge for me.

Don, however, seemed nonplussed. “He’s right … your … your friend. We do get money for taking in foster kids. But that money isn’t for us. It’s not salary; it’s to make sure we can properly look after your needs. It’s not going into our personal bank account. In fact, we will need to open an account for you and deposit funds into it.”

Max stared at Don. “So, like what’s the money for?”

“Like for the modifications we need to make to your room, so you can get in and out of bed more easily. For school, medicine, transportation, or whatever it is, Max. It just helps us pay for things that you’ll need.”

“So, you’re not doing this for the money?”

“No. This money makes it so Louis can stay home and look after you and the house and things. Otherwise to afford everything, he’d need to stay at his full-time job. That’s not what we wanted for you.”

“’K. I see. I didn’t mean to … like say ….”

“We’re not offended or upset by you asking. We have nothing to hide. We’d already met you and decided we’d help long before money was mentioned to us, Max. We were willing just to take you in, no matter what.”

“Thanks.”

“Max, you being here is important to us. You mean a lot to us already. We just wanted to help. Simple as that.”

“Thanks, Don. It means a lot to me too. I just needed to get what those guys were saying out of my head.”

Don grinned then. “Better out than in, they always say.”

That one was worthy of a groan!

 

After breakfast, Max excused himself, wanting to go to his room.

“Unless I should stay and help with the dishes ….”

“Nope, you’re under reprieve from kitchen duty since you cooked.” I smiled at him. “And, it’s all going in the dish washer. So, scram, Sam.”

Max headed to the elevator. “Thanks, you guys!”

 

Don and I stayed at the table finishing our coffee together.

He reached out his hand. I met him halfway and gripped it. He said, “Lous, I want the hospital out of my life. I do not want to take him back.”

“I know, baby. I hope this is the last time. Remember, before you came home, I had to go in and discuss things? I wonder if they will have us do that before Max is discharged.”

“Oh, yeah. That’s right.”

I moved closer to kiss him. “So, how was the ride?”

“It was great. He chatted away about moving here, school and stuff.”

“He seems comfortable with you.”

Don gazed at me, his forehead wrinkled somewhat. “He’s not with you? He seems to be.”

“I think likely it’s more me, than him.”

Don said nothing.

“It’s silly, I know—childish. I was envious as you two went riding this morning.”

My husband drew in a deep breath. “This is what I do not want. I don’t want you left home while he and I go and have a good time without you. I want us all to do things together.”

“Well, Don, there are only two horses ….”

“Call the place we got Badger and Clyde from and tell them what we need. No, better yet, I’ll do it. This will not be, me and Max go enjoy ourselves, while you stay home to do the chores. Enough falls on your shoulders.”

“I don’t mind that it does. I mean that’s why we’ve made the changes right? So I’d be home, more can be done during the weekdays, so we have weekends together.”

“Yeah, that’s it, but with only two horses, you’re home while we go have fun doing something you love too. Or one of us would be. No. I’ll sort it out, Louis.”

I just agreed with him. Don would look after it, if he said he would.

After a few more minutes, he left to make the call, and I put things in the dishwasher and tidied up the kitchen.

Afterward, I went upstairs. I said hi to Max who was chatting to friends online, and then went into my office. I wanted to do some more research for our Christmas trip, and also start work on my business setup.

 

All day I watched the clock tick toward 3pm. We had to take Max back, but it was going to be hard. I shut down my computer and went to check on him. He needed to pack a few things to take back with him.

I knocked on his door.

“Come in.”

I stuck my head in. “Hey.”

Max looked up from his sketch pad. “Hi, Louis.”

I walked over to him. “Is it okay if I look?”

“Sure.” He handed the sketchpad to me. I sat on the end of the bed. “Wow, Max, this is a wonderful picture.”

On the page was a beautiful rendering of the back pasture. Both Badger and Clyde grazed near the small copse of trees.

I tore my eyes away and looked at him. “We haven’t talked about it, but what do you want to do?”

“I’d like to go to a good art school. I’d like to be an artist, but I know it’s hard to make a living at it. Maybe something in design, but I’ll never give up drawing or painting.”

“You paint?”

He nodded. “Yes, well, I haven’t been because of all this. But yes, I do. I love to paint.”

“I see. Then we’ll have to get you what you need for that, Max.”

“Really?”

“Hell yes, you’re talented. You need to develop that. Don and I won’t hold you back.” I was thinking about where we could set up a small studio. I had an idea but I needed to run it by Don.

“Wow, thanks so much. You guys are the best.”

I grinned. “We don’t usually brag about it, but yes we are.”

After a laugh, and another couple of minutes of looking through his sketch book I said, “Um … sorry, but I came in to see if you were ready ….”

“It’s okay, Louis. We need to do this right? Only for a few more days. I’m ready. I’ve packed the few things I need to take back with me.”

I could tell he wasn’t happy but if Max was putting on a brave face, well then, so could I.

I texted Don. I wasn’t sure he’d want to make the trip, but he replied he was ready to go.

So, we did.

We both went into the hospital with Max. We each hugged him tightly. I said we’d text him later to say goodnight.

“Okay, Louis. Thanks for everything.”

“You’ll be back home soon,” Don said.

The boy nodded to us and then said to the nurse who was waiting, “Okay, let’s go.” He twisted around as she pushed him toward the ward doors, “See you guys soon!”

“You will, Maxy. We’ll be back soon.”

I managed to not cry as I said, “Very soon!”

We sat together in the empty waiting room. Don reached for my hand.

“Let’s go get a cup of coffee. We need to talk.”

That was a surprise. “Do we?”

“Yep.”

“Okay.”

I pushed him to the elevators, and we made our way downstairs to the in-hospital Tim Horton’s. I got us a small coffee each and a sour cream doughnut to share. I brought everything to the table and sat down.

“Okay. Coffee and half a doughnut. So, what’s up?”

Don broke off a piece of the sweet treat and chewed. “Are we on a diet?”

Laughing, I said no.

“Lous, I talked Joe Maitland from Pitburn Canadians. Do you remember him?”

“Yes, sure I do.”

“Well, he says he may have a horse for us. He’s about 4 years old, being surrendered back to the farm because his owners are moving and changing lifestyles that won’t allow them to keep him. So, he needs a home. He’s like our two; a gelding because he is not pure enough within the bloodlines to breed. Sad, but okay for us. His name is Taro.”

“Sounds interesting. I’m sure they don’t want to keep him. You want to drive out there to see him?”

“Yes, I said we’d be out there on Tuesday. I knew we had stuff happening tomorrow. Does that sound okay, Lous?”

“Yeah, baby. It sounds fine.”

 

It was already too quiet in our house without Max. We kept in touch by text and drove over to have dinner with him on Monday. I bothered Robert, asking when Max would be discharged … he was looking into it. The installers came and put the trapeze in Max’s room.

On Tuesday we got up, looked after Badger and Clyde and drove the four hours to Pitburn Canadians to check out the prospective Taro. We pulled our trailer with us.

The trailer was a used four-horse model. We bought it because the price was right, but we’d ended up using it more often than we’d thought.

As we drove, I told Don about Max needing some studio space for his art.

“Is he that good?” Don asked.

“Yeah, he is.”

“Okay, so you’ve been thinking about this. What’s on your mind?”

“I was thinking about the attic in the barn.”

Don turned his head toward me. “It would be great, but huge costs to renovate it, baby.”

“No, sorry, not for Max. For me. I thought maybe I’d put my office up there and give Max the other bedroom. It’s got two great windows, lots of nice natural light. What do you think about that?”

“That would work. Yeah, I like it.”

“Okay, great then. That’s what we’ll do.”

 

We finally arrived at the farm about 11am. We pulled in, parked and Joe Maitland came out to meet us. We shook hands.

“Good to see you both again.” Joe nodded at the trailer. “Came prepared, I see.”

“Well, we thought we should, just in case,” Don replied.

“He’s a fine healthy horse. He’s about four years old. Jane, my daughter, has ridden him a few times and says he goes nicely.” The farmer pointed to the left. There was a well-trodden path that could handle Don’s chair. “Jane put him in up there because we knew you’d be coming.”

“Thanks.”

Maitland walked beside us. “How are the other two doing? Healthy?”

“They’re great. We enjoy them very much.”

“So much you want another?”

We laughed and Don said, “Well like I said we have another person joining the family. A foster child, and he’s in a wheelchair also. He’s been on Badger, but we’d like a third so we can all ride together.”

“You know, Taro is used to the cart. Driving can be a lot of fun as well. There is Taro.”

We stopped at the pasture fence and looked where the farmer was pointing. He wasn’t as tall as ours, but he looked sturdy and strong. Joe whistled and the horse raised his head and then started to head in our direction.

I watched as Taro moved; his gait looked good.

“Would you like to ride him?”

I nodded. “Yeah, I’d like to.”

“No problem. Jane left his saddle and things here.”

Taro arrived looking for a treat, which he got. I saddled him and rode him for twenty minutes or so. He moved well, responded quickly. I thought he’d be a nice fit with the other two.

I dismounted, unsaddled the horse and then had a good look at him. I’m no expert but I had learned a few things. Lastly, I asked Taro to pick up his feet and he did with no problem. Once I was done, Jane came to get Taro and led him back to the barn.

Maitland left us saying we should talk and meet him in the office when we were ready.

Don spoke first. “So, what do you think?”

“He’s a nice animal. I think he’d fit with our pair okay. He moves nicely. I don’t think he knows too many words but I’m sure he can learn them.”

Don smiled at me. “So, are we going home with a new horse?”

“Yeah, baby, I think we are.”

“Brilliant. Let’s go and talk to Mr. Maitland then.”

We were both grinning like idiots as we went toward the office.

 

Once the sale was completed, we loaded Taro into the trailer. After a moment’s hesitation, and some bribery with a carrot, he settled into the stall with no problem. I stayed for a minute and rubbed his broad head.

“You just chill back here and we’ll be home soon. You’ll have some new friends and a new boy who will love you.”

The drive back was smooth. We stopped after two hours to let Taro stretch his legs. The last part of the drive home was uneventful.

We unloaded Taro and put him into the smaller pasture next to the other two so they could get a feel for each other. I stood leaning on the fence; Donny sat beside me. We watched Badger go and greet his neighbor. Clyde hung back, watching.

Don’s phone rang. He said nothing, just listened. Then he simply said, “Great, thank you very much.”

Badger was nose-to-nose with Taro.

“Who was that, Donny?”

“It was Robert.”

What! “Robert? What did he say?”

Don turned toward me, his smile was blinding. “He said Friday! Maxy comes home on Friday!”

 

~~~