Adam Blake - 18. Chapter 18

“Dad, have you ever thought of getting a cabin-like your friends? It would be a great place to relax. I will even help you if you make sure I had my own bedroom.”

“Your mother and I have talked about it. We weren’t sure if we wanted a place by the shore or in the mountains. Each has its advantage. If you had a choice which would you want?”

“That’s a hard decision, these last two weeks at the ashore were nice but the mountains would be nice as well if there was a lake nearby. I like to run and then cool off in the water with a few laps.”

“Dad looked at Mom and just smiled. Later that day at dinner I told them about taking Scotty and Billy to Disney. “I need to do something with Scotty after taking time with Billy. Taking Billy along will give Scotty someone to ride with.”

“You really have taken to those kids?”

“Bill and I have always been close. Some people thought we were related. Until I find the right girl and settle down, I’ll practice with Bill’s kids.”

I saw the sparkle in mum’s eyes when I said the right girl. Dad knew he was in for an ear beating and if I stay too long, there will be a series of young women being presented cleverly by my mother and her friends.

Tuesday night I was invited to Bill’s for dinner. Scotty was all over me and he must have asked did I have my surprise for him. I chuckled and whispered, “After dinner if you are a good boy.” I knew when I told him he’d be all over me and a thousand questions would beat on my eardrums.

Bill offered me a beer, I asked for a cup of coffee instead. We chatted about Billy running the 30 miles and jogging back to the cabin. Billy mentioned the leg cramps and how I used hot towels to reduce the pain. “Dad, Uncle said I should try out for the Olympics. What do you think?”

“After the way, I saw you run in that competition and if Uncle Adam said you’re ready, then I say go for it. Mom and I will do everything to make sure you're ready for the trials.”

Billy’s grin stretched from ear to ear. Jennifer called us to dinner and I was surprised to see a young lady there who was introduced to me as a friend of Jennifer’s. I looked at Billy and he smiled. He must have said something to his mother about my description of the woman I’d like. Actually, I enjoyed dinner very much. Jennifer was a good cook, the conversation was pleasant and Billy was excited that his dad had supported his Olympic trials. Scotty was bouncing in his seat and kept looking at me.

Over dessert, “Scotty, I need to go to Disney and check out their teaching methods for new employees, would you like to come along?” I watched this being absorbed into the little guy’s head. He looked at his mom, she smiled, he looked at his dad, he smiled. He looked at Billy and Billy’s reaction was very different for a second and then he smiled. I knew Billy wanted to go along as well but he was happy for Scotty. “Scotty, is there anyone you’d like to take with you?”

Scotty thought for a while, looked at Billy, and then smiled. He got out of his chair and climbed on my lap, whispering in my ear, “Can Billy come?”

I whispered back, “Ask him he might not want to go.”

I think Bill and Jennifer knew what was happening, Scotty went to Billy, pulling him down to his level whispered in his ear. Billy looked at me, I nodded yes. He whispered back to Scotty, Scotty yelled yes and headed to his room.

Jennifer quickly got up and ran after him. She caught him as he was dragging a suitcase to his room. “Scotty, we can do that tomorrow morning after breakfast. Uncle Adam will be here for lunch.”

Jennifer and Scotty returned to the dining room, Scotty climbed back on my lap. In a conspirator whisper, “Mom says we’ll leave after lunch, can we leave after breakfast instead?”

“Yes, but let’s keep it a secret ok, just between you and me.” He was nodding his head up and down so fast if it wasn’t connected to his neck it would have fallen off. Jennifer looked at me and mouthed breakfast, I nodded.

After the table was cleared, we went to the living room while the boys were goggling Disney. Every once in a while we would hear Scotty, “I want to ride that, Billy do you think we’ll see Mickey?” The comments made me feel good and thinking what Mom was thinking I knew that when I got married I wanted children, more of a question, how many.

As I knew she would, Jennifer steered the conversation toward her friend, Elizabeth. It was obvious that Billy had told his mom about our discussion. Elizabeth was a very nice-looking lady and had a lot of what I spoke to Billy about. But there’s more than looks and meeting criteria, love doesn’t happen like that. I knew several couples that started with, the girl I marry or the boy I marry must have this and be like this. Then when I meet them, their partner isn’t anything like what they said. Love is strange and in my case, although Elizabeth met some of my criteria, I just didn’t feel it.