Summer in the City

Chapter 5

“Hey Pop, isn’t the cottage that a way?” Gus pointed toward the opposite direction in which they were traveling. Joan was sitting in the front passenger seat taking it all in. Brian had driven into Pittsburgh to pick them up.

“Very funny, Sonny Boy,” Brian smirked. “I want to see the Village project site. John’s men are working double time on it. The apartment has tenants lined up. Gordon and Betsie have started moving their things down here. And the landscapers have just about finished the garden park. Some of Hunter’s kids really got into gardening. I want to take some pictures to send to Cynthia. We’re thinking of doing a small campaign to promote the Village and the new shops. Hunter wants it kept low key but you can’t sell anything if you don’t know where the store is,” Brian stated reasonably.

Brian slowly drove down the ‘main street’. It was paved and lined with street lamps just like any other street in downtown Pittsburgh but with one main difference. Instead of skyscrapers looming above, the tallest structures were the apartment building and the garage across the way. Brian was able to find a parking spot around the corner. As they parked, John approached them. Brian was snapping pictures then gave his camera to Gus. Gus had proved himself a great photographer.

“So what do you think?” John beamed with pride. He was very happy with the results of their work. Hunter’s kids threw themselves into the project. Many would come out with the skills to work in construction or enough interest to go to college for engineering or architecture.

“Fan-fucking-tastic, Big Bro!” Brian stated. “Just a few short months ago this place looked like an old war zone. Now it’s beautiful. Is Emmett really opening up a full restaurant?”

“Yes, he is, and Drew’s opening up a sport boutique next door. Betsie’s flower shop is open for business. Her kids have been helping her and Gordon move their stuff here. They’re selling their house in Bridgeton.”

“Pop! Look at the garden!” Gus said loudly then ran off to get a better look and take more pictures. Brian, Joan and John followed the teen at a slower pace.

“I love these street lamps,” Joan remarked. The lamps that lined the paths between the shops, and that lit the gardens, were similar to the one that lined the main road; however, John’s lamps were solar powered.

“I’m very proud of our solar lamps. We also have solar panels on the apartment and garage. Each house and shop has solar panels. We use 60% less of the city’s electricity and we can store some of it in batteries. The apartment is also equipped with back up generators. We’re trying to be energy efficient here.”

As they approached the new Book Store, Danny greeted them. “Hi there! Can I offer you some tea or coffee?” Danny asked with enthusiasm. The Book Store was really taking shape with wall to wall books, plush love seats and overstuffed chairs where a reader could sit back, enjoy the quiet and read.

“Thank you, Daniel, I’d love a cup of tea,” Joan stated coyly. Danny smiled as he poured hot water into a mug. Twin Kinney eyebrows arched up high as Brian and John watched Danny and Joan flirt.

“I thought he was gay,” John whispered to Brian.

“So did I,” Brian answered, sotto voce. “But Michael did come from somewhere,” Brian added.

“So Danny and Debbie...” John confirmed. Brian nodded. The brothers shuddered.

The brothers watched Danny and Joan with quiet fascination until Gus burst into the shop.

“Hey Pop, did Grandma Joan tell you about her new job?” Gus asked with a wide smile.

“What new job?” the brothers Kinney asked in unison.

“Joan has kindly accepted my offer to help me run this store,” Danny stated happily.

“Mother? Joan?” Brian and John spoke at the same time.

Joan set down her mug to address her son and his brother. “Before I met Jack, I was planning to go to college and major in English literature. I’ve always loved books but then things happened. Now, more than fifty years later I have been given an opportunity to go back to those books. I’m not an expert on rare books but I do love hunting down a good mystery or two and Gus has been very helpful in showing me how to use the computer for research.”

Brian and John nearly got whiplash as they quickly turned their heads toward Gus who was standing tall and very smug.

“I’ll help out here so that Daniel can still help Michael at the comic book store.”

Brian and John thought about it and it did make sense. The Village wasn’t all that far from Joan’s house and if it made her happy then it was worth it. Brian smiled his approval.

After their tour of the Book Store, Brian, Joan and Gus were saying their good byes. Brian was going to take them to Edna’s Treasures. John would see them later that night. After an initial horseback riding lesson that was planned for the next day, the Kinney-Taylor family would be heading for the Big Apple.

As Danny was waving goodbye from the door, Joan smiled brightly. Brian and John exchanged glances.

“Good bye, Daniel. See you in about a month,” Joan said confidently. Danny nodded.

“Daniel?” the brothers said in unison as they shrugged their shoulders. Gus broke out into giggles as Joan smirked like a cat who drank all the cream.

The brothers shook their heads in wonder then parted company.

 

*****
 

“Are we fucking ready?” Brian demanded.

“I’m ready, Dada,” Bree said cheerfully from the car seat where she was strapped into the back of Justin’s SUV.

“Me too, Pop,” Gus chimed in.

Brian looked over at John’s Navigator. John gave his brother the thumbs up and started down the lane. Brian turned to look back at the front door of the cottage. Justin and Joan waved as he drove down the lane behind John.

It seemed like it had taken the better part of the morning to get things organized. He had spent way too long on the phone with Albert Harmon. The man had to write down every fucking word that Brian gave him to direct the man and his son to the farm. At least Brian didn’t have to pick up Sheldon and his lemonade as a result. He and his father would meet them at the farm, if they fucking didn’t get lost somewhere on their way there. They were now on their way to collect Ashley to take her to the farm with them too. John and Bobby had Patrick and JR in the Navigator and were going straight to the farm. They had waited almost an hour for Melanie to show up with her daughter. Thank God she had some kind of an appointment to go to and had left immediately. Brian’s last nerve wouldn’t have stood any more minutes of Melanie’s instructions making sure that they would take care of her daughter.

“Tell me again why I’m doing this,” Brian muttered.

Gus’ young ears caught the words even though Brian had not intended to get a response. “Because you’re a good Dada, and you want the kids to have a fun day,” Gus laughed as he informed his tense father.

“I don’t even like kids,” Brian griped.

Gus laughed. “Sure you do. You just don’t like admitting it.”

“You don’t like me, Dada?” a worried little voice said from the back seat.

“Of course, I like you, Squirt. I love you. I meant other kids.”

“You don’t like Ashley?” Bree asked in that same small voice.

“I like Ashley,” Brian declared.

“But you said…” Bree started to contradict.

“Pop loves them all, Bree. He’s just in a bad mood,” Gus told her.

“Oh,” Bree replied. “No more bad mood, Dada. We have to make Ashley feel better.”

“Right, of course, what was I thinking?” Brian muttered. He mouthed a thank you to Gus for getting him out of the spot his big mouth had gotten him into with his daughter.

Gus chuckled. “It’s a beautiful day, Pop, and the kids are going to have a blast. Don’t worry.”

“Don’t worry, Dada,” Bree chimed in too.

“Not a worry in the world,” Brian lied as they pulled into the driveway at Ashley’s.

 

*****
 

About a half hour later Brian stopped the car in the driveway at Claire’s. He could see John’s Navigator parked there along with another car that he figured must belong to Albert Harmon. Claire came out of the screen porch as they were all getting out of the SUV.

“Gamma Claire,” Bree yelled and ran to get the mandatory hug from one of her five gammas.

“There’s my sweet little girl,” Claire crowed as she hugged the little bundle who wrapped herself around her grandmother’s lower body.

“We go ride the ponies,” Bree told her.

“You mean the horses,” Claire corrected her. “The farm doesn’t have any ponies.”

”Oh,” Bree said with a frown. She liked the little pony she had ridden at her party. She thought that’s what she would be riding today.

“Bree,” a little voice said from behind her.

“Gamma Claire, this is my friend Ashley,” Bree said introducing her schoolmate.

“Hello, dear,” Claire said extending her hand to take Ashley’s little one. “Are you looking forward to riding the horses?”

“Yes, a lot,” Ashley said with a smile.

“John’s already over at the farm,” Claire said to Brian. “Hello, Gus. Are you helping out today?”

“Gonna try,” Gus grinned.

“That’s my boy. You guys better get over there. The morning’s almost gone.”

“It is gone,” Brian said looking at his watch. “It’s a miracle we got here at all.”

“Get a move on, young man,” Claire instructed him. “They’ll be waiting for you.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Brian replied. He couldn’t help but smile at Claire’s gentle way with everyone. “Sorry to be such a grump.”

“I know you have a lot on your plate these days, but don’t disappoint the children,” Claire whispered as Brian gave her a hug.

“I’ll do my best.”

“And your best will be just right,” she said as her fingers touched Brian’s cheek for just a moment.

Brian nodded before turning to the children and saying, "Let’s get this show on the road.”

He quickly led them through the shortcut to the farm. Bree held his hand while Gus took Ashley’s. Ashley seemed totally fearless in her quest to ride. They quickly covered the short distance to the farm. They found John and the others with the horses all saddled and waiting for them.

Bree came to a stop as soon as she saw the horses. Brian felt the tug on his arm as she dug her heels in.

“What’s the matter, Squirt?”

“Big, Dada,” Bree said staring at the horses. “Very big.”

“You don’t need to worry. I’ll be right there with you.”

Bree frowned and studied the horses. She wasn’t so sure about this now.

“I’m ready,” Ashley said confidently.

“Good girl,” Gus replied. He had been designated as the minder of Ashley while they gave the children a ride.

“Mount up,” John ordered.

Gus lifted Ashley onto the horse John indicated. Albert helped Sheldon get onto his horse. The little boy looked pleased with himself. Bobby lifted Patrick into the saddle of his horse and John helped JR. Brian picked up Bree and tried to set her atop her horse. She clung to his neck and wouldn’t let go.

“What’s wrong, Bree?” Brian asked.

“Don’t like this horse.”

“This is Brandy, Bree,” John said coming over to find out what was wrong. He patted the horse’s neck. “She’s very gentle. See.” John rubbed Brandy’s nose and the mare bobbed her head in acknowledgement.

Bree reached out her hand and touched Brandy’s nose tentatively. Brandy snorted and Bree drew her hand back quickly.

“Don’t be afraid, Bree,” Brian said gently. “That just means Brandy likes you.”

Bree reached out and rubbed Brandy’s nose. “Soft,” she whispered.

“Don’t worry, Bree,” Ashley called. “See, you can do it. You can ride as good as me.” Ashley sat proudly atop her horse, a huge smile on her face.

Bree studied her friend. If Ashley liked her horse maybe it would be all right to get on this one. “I try, Dada,” she said releasing her hold on Brian’s neck.

“That’s my girl.” Brian set Bree carefully on the saddle and put her feet in the very shortened stirrups. “You’re doing great, Squirt. Hold onto the saddlehorn and the reins,” Brian said as he directed her hands to the right spots. “I’ve got you,” he said as he held the back of her shorts making sure there was no way she could fall off.

“Ready?” John asked.

Little heads bobbed all around. Even Bree’s. John started JR’s horse in a slow walk around the yard of the farm. Steve and Bill came out to watch the goings-on. They smiled their approval as all the children stayed in their saddles while the horses walked them about following John’s lead.

After several minutes of this, John stopped. “You each should make the acquaintance of your horse and thank him for the ride. Pat his neck and ruffle his mane,” John instructed.

The children did as directed and the horses snorted their approval. Bree smiled happily at Brian. Her fear seemed to be gone.

“Can we ride a little longer?” JR asked. She was really enjoying being on her horse.

“Yeah,” Ashley concurred.

Brian didn’t think he’d ever seen the little girl smile so much.

They continued walking the horses around for several more minutes. Finally John called another halt and the children were all helped down. Bill came over with four carrots. He showed the children how to feed a carrot to their horse, and they each did so. There were lots of giggles as the horses nosed the small hands that were feeding them.

“Good Brandy,” Bree said as Brandy polished off the carrot.

“Did you all enjoy riding the horses?” Steve asked as he walked over carrying Sheldon’s thermos of lemonade. He had a supply of paper cups which he filled and handed to each of those present. There was a resounding chorus of “Yes” from all the children.

“Good,” Bree said sipping her lemonade.

Sheldon beamed at her. “My mom helps me make it,” Sheldon said proudly.

Brian tasted the lemonade and had to admit that it was very tasty. He had ten bucks in his pocket ready to pay Sheldon for his efforts. The lemonade hit the spot.

“How many of you would like to ride again?” John asked.

Everyone said they wanted to.

“But can we go faster next time?” JR asked.

John chuckled. “If you really are interested in riding, there’s a lot to learn before we get to the fast part.”

“I want to learn,” JR stated emphatically.

“Me too,” Ashley agreed.

“What about you, Bree?” Brian asked quietly.

“I like Brandy. I’ll ride her,” Bree said.

Brian smiled and gave his daughter a hug. “Then maybe we can make an appointment with Uncle John to do this again when we come back from New York.”

“How long will that be, Uncle Brian?” JR asked.

“A month.”

“Wow, that’s a long time,” Patrick piped up.

“It will go by quickly,” John said.

“I be ready,” Ashley stated.

“Me too,” Bree agreed.

“Me too,” Sheldon said.

“Looks like you’re in business, bro’,” Brian chuckled.

“I can hardly wait for you to get back from New York,” John said smiling at his brother.

“I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“I know. And there’s a little blond painting up a storm at Edna’s Treasures who will make sure you do.”

“You got that right,” Brian agreed. “Ready to go home, Squirt?”

“Ready, Dada. Bye, Brandy,” Bree said as she ran over to the horse for one final nose rub before she left.

“I think she’s made a friend,” Brian chuckled.

“So has Brandy,” John laughed.

“Okay, gang, across the yard and through the woods, to Gamma Claire’s we go. Head ‘em up and move ‘em out!” Brian called.

“Silly, Dada,” Bree said as she took his hand and they started back.


 

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