Chapter 12
TWELVE
Burk
“I’m glad you came,” Gramps states as I prepare to leave.
I’ve been here all day, or at least since about ten thirty, and now it’s almost completely dark outside when I glance out the window.
We had lunch together in the private dining room for families and then came back to his room, where we’ve been catching up all afternoon.
We shared the cupcakes for an afternoon snack, and I helped him hide the sugar cookies in his nightstand drawer.
Now, it’s close to dinnertime and Gram is on her way. Both offered for me to stay and eat with them, but I want to give them a little time together. I know Gram stayed away longer than normal so Gramps and I could visit, and while I’ve loved spending that time with him, I really should get back.
Plus, since I have the whole day off, I plan to move the piles of wood Gram asked me to move to clean up the shed for when he comes home.
“I am too.” With my throat suddenly thick with emotion, I add, “I’m sorry I’ve stayed away so long.”
His eyes turn misty as he stares up at me from his chair.
“That’s my fault, Burk. I shouldn’t have let emotions get in the way of family.
I shouldn’t have let it continue so long.
” He exhales and closes his eyes for a brief moment.
“I’m stubborn. All of us Whitman men are.
I had a vision of what the family farm would be, and when your dad came to me and said he didn’t want to be a part of it anymore, I didn’t take it well.
I should have listened better. I regret it. All of it.”
I nod, thinking about how alike my dad and his dad are. Both are stubborn like mules, and while I don’t know if their relationship is repairable, I do know I can do my part in fixing the one I have with my grandparents. “I promise not to let the past have any more hold on my future.”
He gives me a sad smile. “You were young, boy, and I should have made a bigger effort. Even if I was mad at your dad, I shouldn’t have let it affect our relationship.”
“It’s okay,” I assure, but he quickly chimes back in.
“No, it’s not, but I’ll do better. Gram loves having you here. I wish I were home so I could be there and work beside you, but it’s not in the cards yet. But I’m gonna put in the work. My goal is to be home for Christmas, and I’ll do my damnedest to make it happen.”
My heart is practically tap dancing in my chest with giddiness. “That would be pretty great, but even if you’re not out of here yet, I’m sure we’ll all come see you here.”
He smiles, the right side of his face not quite catching up to the left yet.
The stroke has affected the left side of his body, especially his leg and arm.
They’re both weaker now, which is why the rehab program here is necessary.
Fortunately, it didn’t affect his speech much, which would have created another layer of difficulty to his therapy program.
“Well, you have that wedding to go to that day,” Gramps announces, catching me off guard.
I’m surprised he’s heard about that, considering Joy just asked me to go yesterday and I haven’t told anyone yet. But that’s Snowflake Falls for you. It’s a small town where everyone knows your business.
“I do,” I confirm.
“I also hear you’re spending some time with Joy.” His statement is laced with humor but not like he’s laughing at me. It’s more the fact he knows and is ready for me to dispute it.
“I am,” I answer.
“She’s a good egg.”
“She is,” I agree.
“Well, enjoy your time with her.”
I can’t help but smile. “I will.”
“All right, well get out of here. I’m sure you have better things to do than hang with me all day,” he insists, shifting in his chair as best he can, considering his right-side weakness.
“Gram should be here shortly,” I reply, just as the door pushes open.
“I’m here now,” she announces, stepping into the room and giving us both a wide grin. She walks over to set her purse on the bed before bending down and giving Gramps a kiss. “Have you been behaving?” she asks, a knowing glint in her eyes.
“Of course I have!” he insists, his eyes betraying us when he glances toward his nightstand.
Gram catches the movement of his eyes and walks over to open the drawer. Slowly, she turns and pins me with a stern look.
“Get out of my stuff, woman!” Gramps teases, feigning outrage.
“Hey, you told me not to bring him those nasty Christmas tree cakes. I didn’t,” I reply, crossing my arms over my chest and standing my ground.
Gramps gasps. “Nasty?”
“I never said nasty, even though they’re not great, Dale,” Gram replies, shutting the drawer and shaking her head. “I suppose if you’re going to cheat, it should be with goodies from The Sweet Escape.”
“I was supporting a local entrepreneur,” I add, fighting a smile.
Gram waves off my comment. “Oh, please. You were just necking with the owner.”
Gramps’ eyes widen with delight. “Necking? You’ve been necking?”
“All right, I’m out of here,” I state, walking over and placing a kiss on Gram’s cheek. “I’ll see you back at the house.”
“Drive safe, Burk,” she replies, giving me a hug.
“I will.”
Turning to my grandpa, I reach out my left hand.
He reaches with his and tugs, wrapping his good arm around my neck for a hug.
His right one moves at a much slower rate, and eventually I feel that hand touch my arm.
He gives it a squeeze, but it’s still incredibly weak.
“Come back soon,” he whispers, and I’m man enough to admit, I get a little choked up.
“I will. Promise.”
He smiles a crooked smile and releases me. “Next time, I want to hear more about your time with Joy.”
I roll my eyes. “Isn’t anything private around here?”
He just barks out a laugh. “Not in this town, it isn’t.”
I wave goodbye to both my grandparents and exit the room, feeling much lighter than I have in a very long time. Reconnecting with my grandparents has been one of the greatest parts of this trip back to Colorado. Doing the same with Joy is also at the top of the list.
Being here feels good, and the thought of heading back to the opposite side of country causes a lump to form in my throat and the knot to tighten in my chest. I like it here. Just like I did growing up. So what now?
Well, now, I’m going to push those thoughts out of my head and do what I came here to do. I’ll help my family with the tree farm business during peak season, spending as much time with Joy as I can on the side. What comes next can wait until, well, later.
Tonight, I’m going to go back to the farm and take care of Gramps’ shed. I can’t wait to see what he’s been hiding inside that building.
Holy mistletoe!
I wasn’t expecting this.
I stand in the open doorway, staring, my jaw unhinged in complete shock.
“What the hell?” I mutter, stepping inside the shed and closing the door. I find the light switches and bathe the entire space in light.
All I can do is gape.
Gramps has an entire woodworking shop in here, and I had no clue.
Running my hand down my face, I just take in the sight of his space.
I don’t really remember him being in here, and when he was, I was too busy doing my own thing to worry about what was inside.
Now, I wish I would have paid closer attention, maybe spent some time here with him.
I’ve always loved woodworking and have made a career out of it.
I learned a lot from my neighbor, but could you imagine if I had also been able to learn from Gramps too?
I notice the pile of wood sitting off to the side. There’s a variety of scraps and odds and ends all thrown together. My mind starts to work, as it always does when I see random pieces of wood. What can I make with that?
I shake off the thought, because that’s not what I’m here for. I told Gram I’d help get this place ready for Gramps’s return, and that’s what I’ll do.
But first…I take a tour of his shop.
He has everything you need and a handful of wants too. Table saw, band saw, miter saw, wood lathe, and more. Not to mention a wall of hand tools, all in their own spot, and every accessory you can possibly think of.
This place is a replica of my own shop back at home.
I shake my head as I take in the tools, surprised, yet not surprised.
Gramps has always been handy around the property, that I remember from when I was younger.
So it really doesn’t shock me too much that he’d have a hobby where he works with his hands.
I guess to discover we have this in common just strikes a chord.
After spending time admiring his shop, I move to the scrap pile of wood and start sorting it.
Some of it needs to go straight to the burn pit, as Gram suggested, but there’s a few decent pieces here, and my brain instantly starts spinning ideas.
I lay the good pieces across the workstation in the middle of the room and check them over.
Then, I get to work.
When I finish, I step back and smile at the multi-bottle wine bottle and glass holder. It’s not stained or finished yet, but it’s a great, random piece. I didn’t use any template, just went with my gut, and that rarely leads me astray.
I leave the piece I made sitting on the table and start sweeping up the wood shavings and tossing the scraps into a bucket.
I haul the pieces I’m going to burn outside and place them in the firepit.
When I remove the larger scraps, I find a torch lighter sitting on the shelf and bring it along.
After all the wood Gram requested I move is out of the building, I light the firepit and step back to watch.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I’m instantly hit with a mix of emotions. I’m anxious, hoping it’s Joy who’s messaging me, and I feel terrible I didn’t let her know when I was back from my visit with Gramps.
Joy
I hope you enjoyed your visit. Heading to bed and was wanting to tell you goodnight.
Instead of replying to her text, I hit the phone icon and bring the phone to my ear.
“Hello?” she answers, her smile evident in her voice.