Clarion - 14. Chapter 14

About 2 hours later, I heard the truck pulling into the garage. Cody entered the kitchen laughing.

“You should have seen him on that bike. You didn’t need to worry about him, he even indicated the direction of his turn. He’s a great kid. His mom and dad just piled praises on him and they couldn’t thank us enough. I invited them over Saturday for a barbecue.”

“Well, in that case, we need to run to the store. Abram is going to deliver my meat this afternoon and as soon as he leaves, we’ll go and shop. I have a gift for Jeff as well.”

Abram brought our meat, wrapped and marked. I offered him something to drink but he declined saying he had to get back as he was still wrapping for other clients. I paid him the agreed price and told him I look forward to be doing business again next year. “If you still want a whole steer, I’ll make sure I have one as well as a whole hog.”

“That would be great Abram. Put me down for that.” We shook on it and that seemed to be enough for the contract. These Mennonites have an ethic that says contracts on a hand shake were all that is necessary. A man’s word is good enough.

Once we put the meat into the freezer, we were ready to go to town. I needed some produce and groceries for the barbecue. I also wanted to see Jeff. Parking the car at Ron’s, I gave Cody the list while I went to look for Jeff. “Hey Mr. Bradley, shopping again.”

“Hi Jeff, actually Cody is shopping with my list. He’ll stick to the list whereas I’ll look at everything. What takes me one hour takes him thirty minutes. In fact here he comes now.”

“Hi Jeff, are you working hard or hardly working?”

“Hi Cody, actually I was getting ready to go home.”

“Before you go Jeff, we have a birthday gift for you.” I gave him the wrapped box. He took it looking at Cody and me. Opening the box, he was stunned at the gold chain and medal. Even Cody was in awe.

Jeff looked at the chain and then looked at me. “Mr. Bradley I can’t accept this.”

“I don’t think I can return it, look at the back side of the medallion.”

When Jeff turned over and saw his name inscribed, his eyes became wet. “Mr. Bradley, Cody, this is a beautiful gift. I can’t tell you how much it’ll mean to me.”

“Turn around and I’ll close the clasp for you. You’re a nice guy Jeff and we enjoy having you around. Now you better get going before Ron finds something for you to do. By the way, you and your family are coming over this Saturday for a barbecue. Bring your girl friend, I’d like to meet her.”

Jeff gave Cody and I a hug and left to go home. Cody and I went to check out.

We spent Saturday morning preparing for our guests. I spent the morning cleaning inside while Cody spent the morning cleaning the patio and the windows, which overlooked the Clarion River. And we had our temporary staff making coffee and lunch for us. I think we were thinking of Andy as an adopted son rather than just a boy we knew. I knew he was growing on Cody.

After lunch there was only a few chores that needed to be done to have everything ship shape. With a fresh cup of coffee, I made a list of what needed to be finished, food that needed to be prepped and a cooking order to ensure all of the food would be ready at the same time. I noticed while I was doing this, my cup never got empty. Our temporary staff kept my cup full.

“Andy, since you’ve been a great help this morning, what would you like for dessert tonight?”

Smiling, “How about we make a blackberry pie with ice cream or a chocolate cake?”

“How about we make both and you can help me make them?”

The smile on Andy’s face answered that question. “When can we start making the dessert?”

“As soon as we finish this list of cleaning, we can start baking.”

Andy took the list, “I can do this, as he pointed out a few things, and maybe I can get Cody to help with the others. That way you can start making the pie and cake.”

“OK, that’s a deal provided you get Cody to help.”

Never underestimate the younger generation. Cody came into the kitchen, “What did you say to Andy that built a fire under him. He came up to me with a list and said I had to do this and he would do that?”

“He wanted pie and cake for dessert. I told him I could start making dessert as soon as the chores where finished.”

“He’d make a good field commander, you do this and I’ll do that. So now the temporary staff has taken charge.”

I gave Cody a kiss and pushed him out of the kitchen, I had a pie and cake to make.

At 4 in the afternoon, Mary and Brian Higgins arrived with Jeff. Cody was going to give them a tour of the house, but Andy beat him to it. When they came back down from the top floor, Andy had a big smile on his face. His mom and dad said he did a great job of being the tour guide.

“You really have a great view from your bedrooms. And I see you have a hot tub on your balcony.”

“Thank you, I designed the home to take advantage of the view. When you live in an apartment in New York City all you see are buildings. Here I see nature, which is much better.”

Cody looked at me with a questioning look. Looking from Andy to his parents and then back to me, I quickly understood his questioning look. Did Andy divulge the fact that Cody and I were lovers? I had taken precautions when I opened the second bedroom to be presented as Cody’s room. But I also planned on showing them around. I shrugged my shoulders indicating what will be, will be.

Cody and Jeff walked down to the river with Brian to show them their fishing spot. I sat on the patio with Mary chatting about nothing special. Andy, the ever faithful temporary staff, came out with a tray containing, cups, sugar, milk and the coffee pot.

Smiling, “Andy has been dubbed our temporary staff. When I returned from New York, I was so tired I went directly to bed. The next morning I was awaken with a hot cup of coffee. I asked Cody who our temporary staff was that made the coffee. He pointed to Andy and ever since, when he’s here in the morning, he makes the coffee.”

We heard Cody and Brian talking as they came back returning from the River. “Dad, I’m going to pick up Nancy Jean, Mr. Bradley invited her to have dinner with us.”

I saw Jeff wave to us as he went by. Cody and Brian continued to walk up the hill behind the house chatting away. I’m not sure what they were saying but they seemed to be amiable.

“Alan, I saw the chain and medallion you gave Jeff for his birthday. It’s beautiful but you shouldn’t have. It must have cost a lot.”

“Mary, I have no children, never married except to my job. When I first moved here, I was lost. It was Jeff who I went to for directions or questions. He really has been a great help. He spent many afternoons here picking up nuts and blackberries. He also introduced Cody to fishing. So it was a gift of thankfulness.”

“And the bike you got Andy was also expensive.”

“How else can I pay our temporary staff? It seems to me that Andy likes being here and especially around Cody. I was afraid of him riding his bicycle here and especially in the winter. He’s a good boy and brightens up the place. You and Brian have great kids, be grateful that their goodness is seen by other people.”

“There is one thing I want to ask you and I don’t want you to think I’m being nosy, but are you and Cody a couple?”

“What gives you that idea?”

“When Andy gave us the tour upstairs, he showed us the master bedroom but didn’t open the door next to the master bedroom. From that I got the impression that that bedroom wasn’t being used.”

I wasn’t sure how to answer her question. I knew if she didn’t like it, it might affect the boys coming over. But, I was never one to lie, taking a drink of my coffee, looking at her, “Yes, we are partners.”

What she said I couldn’t believe my ears. “Since Andy has been spending time around you and Cody, I noticed that there was a major change in his attitude. He’s happier and seemed to accept himself. I know that he’s gay. Mothers can tell, somehow we just know, instinct or closeness, I don’t know but what I do know, you and Cody are partly responsible for that change.”

“We like Andy, he’s sincere and wants to please and that is how he got the title of temporary staff. He’s closer to Cody than me, probably because Cody is younger than me and more close to your and Brian’s age. But make no mistake, Cody is gay, but he would never hurt Andy. In fact we have been discussing the possibility of adopting because of our interactions with Andy. I‘d hope that you’d allow Andy to continue to visit us. That small bedroom next to my study has been claimed by Andy when he’s here. I wouldn’t be surprised if you found some of his clothes in the dresser drawers.”

“I have no desire to stop Andy or Jeff from visiting you. Maybe, in the long run, it’s best. At least Cody can answer his questions.”

“Thanks Mary but how about Brian? He may not be as open minded. Many people feel that a person is not born gay, they are turned gay by someone. Dad’s aren’t so easy in accepting of a gay son.”

“You could be right, but I think he’ll be all right as long as no harm comes to Andy.”

“Alan, are we going to eat tonight or not.”

I laughed as Cody and Brian came and sat down. “You fire up the grill. Andy can help me in the kitchen but remember we have to wait for Jeff and Nancy. Come on temporary staff, we have a job to do.”

“Can I help Alan?”

“No, Mary, you’re our guest just relax and get to know Cody a little more.”

Andy and I went into the kitchen to start preparing the food for the grill. “Andy, as soon as Cody get’s the grill at temperature, you can take these potatoes out to him. Also ask our guests if they want something to drink.”

I chuckled every time Andy walked by the desserts, he would stop, look at them and you could see him begin to drool. I just laughed and went back to putting together dinner.

Andy came back in for the potatoes, “Andy, come back and you can help to set the table. Is Jeff back yet?”

“They just pulled in. They’ll be here as soon as Jeff gets his supply of kisses for the night.” He left laughing.

Andy returned with Jeff and Nancy Jean, Jeff introduced Nancy Jean and I found her to be a charming young lady. Jeff was a lucky guy to have a beautiful and charming girl friend. I noticed Jeff had his gold chain on with the medallion proudly displayed on his chest.

“Can I help Mr. Bradley?”

“Thank you, Nancy Jean but you’re my guest. I have temporary staff that can help. Jeff, help yourself to something for you and Nancy Jean to drink. You might want to show her around while we wait for dinner.”

“OK boss, the table is set. What’s next?”

When I looked at Andy, he was cracking up laughing. “You devil, take drink orders and set out wine glasses. Oh, do your mom and dad drink wine?”

Andy nodded his head and went to see what they wanted to drink for dinner. He came back in and started the coffee. “You can put the salad out on the table and ask Cody if he’s ready for the ribs.”

Andy returned, “Cody said to give him 15 minutes before he’ll need the ribs.”

“Andy there is a platter in the refrigerator with some snacks that’ll hold everyone until the ribs are ready.”

“I thought a crisp white wine would go with the ribs, to cut the sweetness of the sauce. Is that ok?” Everyone agreed even the boys

“Are you ready for the ribs?”

“Yes, you can bring them.” I got up to go and get the pan with the ribs marinating in the barbecue sauce. But I was too slow, Andy had already done it. “Hungry Andy?” Cody teasing.

I went and got the packet of vegetables I had seasoned and wrap in aluminum foil. “Cody, when the ribs are almost done, set these vegetables on.”

I sat down to wait until Cody served the food. I watched Andy, he never left Cody’s side. You could see them talking. It looked like Cody was explaining how to operate the grill.

“How much longer Cody?”

“About another 15 minutes should do it.”

“Andy do you have a minute?” He followed me into the kitchen. “Would you please set out some water glasses and then fill them with cold water. Later on we can put out some small bowls of water to clean our fingers from the barbecue sauce.” He looked at me as if I was a little crazy.

I got out a stack of paper napkins, I knew our fingers were going to get messy.