Andre and Chris - 24. Chapter 24

Wednesday came faster than I expected. Jackson slipped easily into staying with us and assuming the role of big brother to Ollie. I was aware that the awesome4some were planning another video. They were receiving products to review so they had some choices.

Jenny completed the electrics for the two shops (we kept calling them shops) and the carpet for mine was laid on Tuesday and as arranged Andre’s would be laid on Friday next week after the painters had finished. Andre had insisted that we lease furniture for each shop. He said there was some tax advantage but more importantly we can easily change anything that’s not working for us. Mine was being delivered the next day.

We gathered in the kitchen for breakfast. Ollie didn’t mention it was his birthday and we didn’t let on that we knew. Jackson was keen to get started helping set up for the party. Ollie’s phone pinged a message. He looked at and disappointment filled his face. “Riley’s got to visit his grandmother so we can’t catch up.”

Andre smiled, “In that case we’re going shopping and you’re coming with us.”

“Why do I have to go with you?”

“Because we’re buying new furniture for your bedroom.”

“Why?”

I answered, “Because next weekend all the stuff in my workroom is being moved over to my shop downstairs. Then we will move back to the townhouse where you will need a bed. Unless you want to sleep on the floor.”

“I’d like to have a bed.”

Andre added, “When here is all renovated we will move everything from the townhouse to here and that will include your new bed for your renovated room.”

“I s’pose. I don’t really like shopping.”

I laughed. “I don’t either but you’ll see Andre loves it. Ollie we need you with us because we want you to have bedroom furniture you like, not just stuff we choose.”

He brightened. “I get to choose! Cool.” I got the impression his opinion wasn’t usually taken into account.

He looked at Jackson. “Are you coming with us?”

“Sorry, mate. I’m meeting up with Tyron for a big brother catch up.” He used air quotes for big brother.

“Yeah, probably go to the club and drink beer and play billiards.”

Jackson smiled and ruffled Ollie’s hair. “You could be right buddy.”

“Noooo. Now I have to brush it again.”

At Tuggerah we started looking in furniture stores and went straight to the bedroom section.

Ollie’s eyes went wide, “Can I have a big bed?”

“Yes. I think for your room a double. That will leave room for bedside tables and a desk and chair.”

“I’m getting my own desk?”

“Of course you’re getting a desk. You’re in high school and you need a desk in your room for study and your laptop. You won’t have to keep using the dining table. Right now we’re looking for a bed.”

He went back to looking at beds and bouncingly sitting on mattresses. I suggested we look in the other stores before deciding. The smile that spread across his face told me that either Andre’s love of shopping was contagious, or it was the first time Ollie was allowed to shop for himself.

There were plenty of shops to check out and Ollie checked out all of them. In most nothing appealed to him but I could see him developing a mental short list. I suggested that we stop at Brunch N Brew so Andre and I could have a coffee and Ollie could have a smoothy. We listened to Ollie talk about the beds he’d seen and what he liked along with bedside tables and a desk and a gaming chair. After some discussion we revisited the three stores where Ollie had seen what he wanted.

He looked concerned about the cost so we told him that they were things he needed so we were happy to purchase them for him. Andre then took him to a store where he selected bedding for his room. They were both happy as we placed the pillows, sheets, doona and quilt covers in the boot. The furniture would be delivered next week.

I’d been watching the time and decided we needed to move to be back home by the agreed 11;30. As we parked, Andre discretely sent a text to Jackson. We left the bedding in the car and at the top of the stairs I suggested we go into what was Ollie’s old apartment to check that the furniture would fit in this bedroom.

Ollie shrugged agreement so I used my key, opened the door and guided Ollie inside. He stopped and his mouth gaped open. The room was decorated with coloured balloons and bunting, and a large sign saying, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY OLIVER”.

Still totally surprised, he looked at us, “You knew, you didn’t say anything, but you knew.” He hugged us, “Thanks.” As he was doing this the room filled with his friends shouting “surprise”. He was on the verge of happy tears as his face lit up and his friends, including Tyron and Jackson surrounded him, wishing him happy birthday.

Jackson moved everyone back a bit, “Ollie, we’ve having a party for you, but first up is presents and they’re all over there. Tyron and Riley took Ollie over to the presents and started handing them to him.

The first present was from Andre and me. It was a bike. We had decided on the same type as Riley had but it was still in its box. We had expected it to be assembled and I said this to Jackson.

“Where’s the fun in that Uncle Chris! This way we get to video the unboxing and assembly to post on the channel. We can post it in December when all those fathers have bought bikes as Christmas presents and can’t work out how to assemble them.”

Riley handed Ollie a present from his family. Ollie pulled the paper off to reveal a guitar case. He carefully opened the case and inside was an acoustic guitar. It wasn’t new but was in really good condition. Ollie gently lifted it out, caressed it and strummed a chord. “It’s like the one I used to have. Thank you, Riley and your family.”

Riley responded, “We knew you liked playing and didn’t have your guitar and we thought you would like this one.”

He was excited and fighting back happy tears. “I love it. I can’t thank you and your family enough.”

Tyron announced that the next present was special and handed Ollie a parcel. I noticed some movement in the group as Ollie opened his present. He gasped as he pulled out a T shirt with a simple awesome4some logo consisting of the YouTube logo accompanied with the words awesone4some on the front. When he turned it around it had his name and underneath his title, Mystery Cameraman. There was also a similar hoodie.

He looked up to comment and saw that the other Awesome4somes were holding up similar shirts and hoodies. He gave them a double thumbs up and they moved together. Phone cameras recorded them together holding up the shirts.

Tyron and Riley moved on to handing over individual gifts from Ollie’s friends. These were very much teenager to teenager. Posters, T shirts and other merchandise for Star Wars, Marvel Universe and Minecraft or gift cards for EBGames. All very meaningful to them.

As he opened each present he made eye contact with the friend it was from and personally thanked them with a personal comment about the present.

When he opened Harold and Marjory’s present his face lit up almost as much as with the guitar. It was another link to his past. He looked at me and I answered his unasked question. “Marjory wanted you to have it. I’ll tell you more later.” He hugged the quilt and smiled happily. I took a photo.

Then there was a skateboard and associated gear from Michael and Jamie, a collection of sports equipment, including footballs and basketballs, from Beau and Skye and a bundle of cinema vouchers to each of the two cinema chains from Carol and Lachlan. Birthday presents had gone a long way in giving Ollie the things that a 13 year old teenager has usually accumulated.

Presents out of the way, the next main event was food. Carol and Ashley had that under control and told them that they would have food and drink now and then after the party activities they would have the birthday cake. They didn’t care as long as they got fed.

While the party crowd were eating Andre and I went to look at what had been set up for the party. It wasn’t a surprise that one room was devoted to bean bags, gaming consoles and screens. Another room was set up for board games. Again, not a surprise. What was a surprise was that one room was going to be used for a virtual reality experience. I could see multiple headsets so I assumed they would be having lots of fun.

Back in the living area they were all eating. I was curious about the virtual reality system, so I quietly asked Tyron, “Where did you get the VR system from?”

“Uni. They lent it to me.”

“Wow. They must think highly of you to do that.”

“Could be more about what they think of you.”

“What’s that mean?”

“I’ll tell you later. I need to get some food before it’s all gone. By the way, thanks for keeping Ollie out of the way this morning. I loved the look on his face when he saw the sign. He didn’t suspect anything. How’d you get him to come in here without him becoming suspicious?”

“I’ll tell you later.”

He laughed, “I love working with you.” He walked over to the food table.

Carol said there were wraps for the four of us in the kitchen if we didn’t want party food. Andre and I decided to leave the party food for the young ones and joined Carol and Ashley in the kitchen.

The wraps were delicious and filling. I had a tandoori chicken and salad wrap, and Andre decided on prawn, mayo, lettuce and tabbouleh. We thanked both Carol and Ashley for organizing the food for the party but, both said they were having fun being with the teenagers. Ashley added that the party kept her three children, who were at the party, occupied for the day which was a bonus during school holidays.

I commented, “Ashley the guitar is a wonderfully thoughtful gift for Ollie. We didn’t even know he was interested in guitar.”

“Oh yes, he is. His father was really good and was teaching Ollie. We decided it’s a present he will use.”

I spoke for both of us, “We’ll encourage him as much as he wants.”

Ashley smiled, “I can see that you will. We don’t know why he’s in foster care, but we’re very happy it’s with you two.”

The party crowd finished eating and drinking. There was very little left. They were sure to want seconds later. Jackson and Tyron organized everyone into activity groups and the fun started.

Carol and Ashley refused our offer to help clean up and we excused ourselves. Carol said they would call when it was time for the cake. We went next door and spent time making sure everything was ready for our move into the shops. We could just hear happy party noise through the common wall.

Around 2:30 we received a text saying they were ready to cut the cake, so we headed next door. Tyron and Jackson had assembled the over excited party people for the candle and cake celebration ritual. Ashley carried the cake with thirteen lit birthday candles into the room and placed it on a table.

Everyone was ready to burst into singing happy birthday, when Ollie stopped them and picked up his guitar. A quick tune up and he was strumming the opening to chords to happy birthday. After a short laugh circled the group, he played and everyone sang. That done, Ollie leaned over and blew out all thirteen candles. Everyone cheered. The cake was cut up and served with ice cream. More food including that leftover from lunch was also brought out and eaten.

The cake cutting and eating clearly indicated the end of the celebrations. The room was still filled with happiness but most of the teenagers were exhausted and happy to accept the party had finished. They were ready to leave and go home, especially if they had a parent turn up to collect them. However, there were some who wanted to continue to play games and especially experience more VR activity.

Tyron checked with his fellow organizers and came up with a compromise. The games and VR experience would be available from 9 to 11 tomorrow for anyone who wanted to come and use them. There was general agreement amongst the group. I was starting to understand the extras that come with a teenage son. Andre and I were happy to embrace the challenge.

I noticed Tyron talking to Bradley and walked over and heard Tyron say, “But we need you here tomorrow to do the unboxing of the bike.”

“I know. I want to be here but I’m not sure dad will agree to me being here again tomorrow.”

I interrupted, “What’s going on?”

Tyron answered, “I was hoping Bradley could be here to help pack up and be part of the video unpacking the bike”.

“Do you want to be here tomorrow, Bradley.”

“Of course I do.”

“OK what if I phone your dad and talk about it?”

“That could work.”

“Why do you think he would say ‘no’?”

“Just all the time I’ve been spending over here lately.”

I smiled, “Yeah, you have been here a lot lately. I’ll call him.”

I walked away and called David. He answered on his car Bluetooth. He was on his way to pick up Bradley. There were no problems with Bradley coming back tomorrow if he wanted to. David and Chelsea were thrilled that he was involved and making more friends.

I walked back and told Bradley that his dad was driving over now to take him home but tomorrow should be fine. A happy Bradley went down to meet his father. I noticed him talking to Riley, Cooper and Sophie while he waited.

Everyone had gone home. Jackson and Tyron had decided to meet Tyron’s girlfriend, Chloe, and play some pool before having dinner.

Ollie had just given each of us a hug. “Thank you for the best birthday ever and the most awesome surprise ever. Today has been uber cool.”

“It wasn’t really us. We found out the date of your birthday and thought you would love a surprise birthday party. Tyron and Riley did all the organizing with a bit of help.”

“Doesn’t matter, it was your idea.”

“As long as you enjoyed it. That’s all that’s important.”

“Enjoy it! I loved every bit of it.” That earned us another hug.

“Uncle?” It wasn’t clear which one of us he was asking. “Can I ask for something else?”

“Sure.” Came from both of us. Andre followed up with, “What do you want?”

“No, I shouldn’t, it’s silly.”

Andre put his arm around Ollie, “Doesn’t matter. It’s your birthday. That’s when you can have a silly wish. What is it you want?”

“Can I go and tell my dad about today?”

Andre and I looked at each other. We both knew Ollie’s father was dead. Then I realized.

“Ollie, do you want to visit your dad’s grave?”

Softly, “Yes.” Followed by, “I know, it’s silly. Just forget it.”

“Ollie if you want to visit your father’s grave, we’ll take you. Do you know where it is?’

Softly, “It’s in Palmdale.”

I looked at Andre, who said, “It’s a lawn cemetery not far from here. I can drive.”

In the car I searched on my phone. “We can search for someone’s grave online. Ollie, what your dad’s first name?”

Ollie told me and the grave site came up. A site map search showed me the location. At Palmdale we parked and walked to the grave site, I pointed to a neatly mown grassed grave plot amongst other equally neatly mown grave plots. “Here we are. This is it.”

Ollie shook his head, “No. This isn’t it.”

Andre took hold of Ollie’s hand. “What’s wrong?”

“Dad’s grave has a plaque with his name and stuff. This one doesn’t.”

He was right about there not being a plaque. I looked around. The graves on either side had plaques. I suggested, “The office is still open. Let’s go and check there.”

Rachael, the sole person in the office, was very patient, listened to the problem and was then very helpful. That is helpful in that she confirmed that we had found the right grave site. Ollie was still not convinced so I asked, “Can you give us the names of the people in the graves next to the one we’re looking for.”

Rachael smiled, “Of course I’ll be happy to do that. I’ll just look it up.” She did a quick search, then wrote two names on a pad, tore off the sheet and handed it to Andre.

“Thank you. You’ve been very helpful.”

“You’re welcome. I hope your visit to Palmdale brings you comfort.”

Back at the grave we checked the plaques on the graves on either side. We were in the right place.

Ollie all but lost it. “I can’t believe it. I can’t believe she’d do this to dad and me. She promised.” The sobs started. Andre and I wrapped our arms around him as the sobs continued and tears rolled down his cheeks.

“She promised. She promised to have a plaque. We had the money then. She basically told me the plaque was made and in place.” Deeper sobs and more tears. More comforting hugs.

Ollie continued and we let him get it out. “She lied. She lied to dad. She lied to me.” More sobs. “She wouldn’t let me come here. She said it was because I’d be too upset visiting the grave. It was all lies. She didn’t want me to know. Why? Why didn’t she get the plaque made? Why did she lie about it?”

We continued to hold and reassure him while he let it all out. When the sobs stopped and his breathing returned to more like normal, I said “Ollie, your dad will have a plaque. We will make it happen. The three of us and, with the wording you want.”

“But, that’s not fair. You shouldn’t have to do that. I can’t expect you to do that. Mum should do it.” More tears.

Andre gave Ollie an extra warm hug, “That’s not important, Ollie. What’s important is that we love you and if your mum won’t do it then we want to do it for you and for your dad.”

“You’ll really do this?”

I replied, “Sure we will.” I paused. “Ollie, we came out here so you could tell your dad about your birthday. Andre and I will walk over there so you can have some private time with your dad. Come to us when you’re ready.”

Ollie smiled and softly replied “thank you”. We walked away so we couldn’t hear but could still watch. I expected him to just stand and talk but he dropped to his knees and bent as if talking into the grave. We gave him as much time as he wanted.

Back home we weren’t really hungry so pulling together what we could find in the fridge was satisfactory for the three of us. Jackson was still out with Tyron and Chloe.

It had been a big day and we were all ready for bed. Andre and I went in to say good night to Ollie. He wasn’t in bed. Instead he was sitting on the edge of his bed and looking at the floor. We sat either side of him.

“Still upset about what happened at the cemetery?” I offered.

He softly replied, “Yeah sort of. But, just thinking.”

Andre wrapped an arm around Ollie, and he leaned into the hug. “Any way we can help?”

“Can I sleep with you two tonight?”

My head snapped to look at Andre who was staring back at me. We were both questioning what this was about.

“I know I’m safe with you. I just don’t want to sleep by myself tonight. I’d feel lonely.”

I put my hand on Ollie’s shoulder. “Sure you can. Just put on a top and come join us.” We walked to our bedroom and pulled on T shirts. We put Ollie in the middle and slipped in next to him.

Ollie stared at the ceiling. “Thank you for the birthday party and for taking me to the cemetery. I told dad all about the party and you. He was happy. I was thinking. I lost my dad when he was killed but now, I’ve got two dads.”

Tears were welling up in my eyes. “We love you?”

“I know and I love you two.” He snuggled down into the bed.

I heard Jackson enter the apartment and moments later he was at our door just wearing his boxers and ready for bed. “Uncle Chris, Ollie’s missing he’s not in his bed.” There was a definite edge of panic in his voice.

Ollie called out “It’s OK Jackie. I’m in here with my dads.”

Jackson slowly moved over to the bed and sat on the edge looking at us. We explained about going to the cemetery and Ollie not wanting to sleep my himself tonight. Jackson smiled, “Is there room there for a big brother as well?”

“Yes.” Came from Ollie.

I relented and looked up at Jackson. “OK go and put on a top and bring some extra pillows.”

Ollie smiled, “It’s going to be like a family on a camping trip. I know I’m safe with you all but thank you for making me feel safe as well.”