David C. McLavic - 32. Chapter 32

"Get me a cup of coffee and I'll show you my design" As it turned out, Michael brought me the coffee. He wanted to see the design as well. Within 20 minutes, four more of the men that were there were looking over my shoulder as well. Then the questions.

"How are you going to heat the cabin?"

"The fireplace will be enough."

"But where are you going to get the wood? The trees won't like it if you cut them down."

The trees will allow me to gather up the fallen branches. I can always bring coal from home if necessary. It won't take much to heat the cabin."

Then as they looked at the outline, Bobby wanted to know eherehe would sleep if he stayed over. I told him there will be a cot for him. I chuckled when I said that. Bobby was a nice kid but I got the impression he was ignored many times, The little attention I showed him seemed to brighten his day.

Now I started to work on the outhouse, with my helper. I had to explain why I needed shed. He looked at me and asked if he could stay there. I told him no, it would be too cold. "You can stay in the cabin when you want to sleep over." You would think he just won the prize of the year. He now knows how I feel about him and there will be a place for him.

That evening at Mrs. Cummings I thought about Bobby. It was obvious that he didn't get much attention at home. The little attention I showed him made a significant impact on him. I did have one question for him tomorrow. 'Where does he go to school'?

The next day, I asked him and he said he was home-schooled. His mother is his teacher. His mother wasn't trained as a teacher and so she more or less read to him teaching him how to read. I knew I could help by bringing my old school books.

Two weeks after starting the outhouse, I was almost finished. I just needed to build the storage shed. I made a list of the lumber and roofing material I needed, then headed home with a passenger.

Arriving home, I introduced Bobby to Beth Ann who was preparing dinner for Dd and Uncle Joe. "How long have you been cooking for Dad and Uncle Joe?"

"Iy started two weeks ago. Dad pays me and I could use the money. I want to move into a house and I'll need to come up with the down payment. Tim's dad said he would help but only if I came up with the down payment."

"Certainly Dad could give you the money?"

"He offered and I said no. I need to prove that I can work and support myself if anything happens in the future."

When she said that, Mom flashed through my mind. I hadn't seen her for several years and didn't want to see her but I didn't want to see her on the streets. If he needed money, I'd see she got it .

The following two weeks, Bobby and I bought what I needed to finish the storage shed. Bobby saw some of my high school books, he asked if he could take them. Now he is reading a history book as we drive to the mountain.