The Swear Jar (15 page)

“Breakfast, coming right up.  If
you’d set the table, I’ll get the eggs going.”

The two men worked around the
kitchen to make breakfast.  The coffee aroma was joined by the smell of eggs
and bacon.  Duncan scrambled eggs while Mike toasted bagels.  Mike set the
kitchen table and refilled their coffee mugs.  Duncan got orange juice out of
the refrigerator.  The two men sat down to eat.  They passed food back and
forth.

Once their plates were full, Mike
laughed.  “I should save your butt more often.  This is great.  Thank you.  How
are Tom and Lucy?  Have you ever noticed you can’t say their names separately?”

Duncan chuckled.  “Yes, it’s
difficult to think of them as individuals.  Tom and Lucy are doing well.”

“That’s good.  What do they think
of your Meara?”

Duncan smiled.  “They both like
her.  There is a difference of opinion as to how to proceed in my pursuit of a
relationship with Meara.”

“Let me guess.  Tom thinks full
speed ahead and Lucy says go slow.  Sound about right?”

“Yes, you got it.”

“You’ll find a happy medium.  As
soon as I’m done here, I’ll take a shower, if you don’t mind.  I’ll get out of
your hair as soon as possible.”

“You’re no bother at all, my
friend.  It’s been great spending time with you.  We should do this more
often.”

Chapter Seventeen

Soon after breakfast, Mike was
ready to go and carrying his overnight bag.  “I made the bed.  If I had a mint,
I would have left it on the pillow.  Is Hotel Phillips open year round?  You should
think about starting a B and B.  For a guy who claimed all he could do was
grill, you did pretty well this morning.  Thanks again for everything.”

“You’re welcome.  I’ve been
developing my cooking repertoire.  It’s always great to see you.  Please give
my regards to Sara.  Have a safe trip to the Shore.”

“I will.  I left a birthday present
for you upstairs.  It’s nothing big, but I hope you like it.  Don’t open it
until Friday.”

“I’ll try not to.  I make no
promises.”

Duncan watched Mike’s car pull
away.  He was tempted to call Meara.  If he did, he wouldn’t want to leave her,
even for John.  That would make him the worst Grandpa ever.  Around noon, he
decided to leave for Andrew and Lisa’s house.  He didn’t mind socializing with
his own family, but the addition of Lisa’s family and John’s little friends
made him uncomfortable.  He wondered how his family would react if he showed up
with Meara.  They would be shocked, but it would be great to have someone with
him who didn’t treat him like an old geezer.

Duncan found Andrew in the backyard
wrestling with the outdoor grill.  He was mumbling to himself.  He was a
taller, thinner version of Duncan with the same reddish blonde hair, but with
light brown eyes.  Andrew was easy-going and had always been a serious child. 
Duncan smiled at Andrew’s discomfort with the grill.

“Hello, Andrew,” Duncan said. 
“Need some help?”

“Dad!  I am so glad to see you.  I
can’t get this to catch.  Any suggestions?”

“Stand back and let the grill
master take over.”  Duncan rubbed his hands together.

“You’re in a good mood.  Things
going well at the library?”

“Indeed they are.  How are you? 
Besides the toddler party crisis, of course.”

“Fine.  Lisa has everything under
control.  Or as much as you can with our family, her family and about six kids
under the age of five.  Sean’s throwing his first tantrum of the day.”

Duncan’s younger son, Sean, came
over and hugged him.  “Hi Dad.  Very funny, Andy.  Lisa sent me out here to
find out what’s the holdup.  Now that Dad’s here, I guess your barbecue
problems are over.”

Sean was taller than Andrew.  He
had dark blonde hair and blue-green eyes.  Sean had always been the problem
child.  He wasn’t a bad kid.  He had never gotten into serious trouble, but he
was more daring than Andrew.  He wasn’t ready to settle down.  And he was a
smartass.

“Hi Sean, how are you?”

“Just fine, Dad.  Still looking for
someone to change my diaper.  I was hoping Andy could introduce me to one of
the moms here today, but they’re all taken.  How’s it going at the book tomb,
Dad?”

“Fine.  We haven’t found any ghosts
in the stacks lately.”

“Funny!  You’re in rare form
today.  What’s up with you?”

Lisa came out into the backyard. 
She was shorter than Duncan.  She had shoulder length black hair and brown
eyes.  With her hands on her hips and her eyes fixed on them, Lisa was not a
woman to be trifled with when she wanted something done.  She reminded Duncan
of Brenda, but Lisa had a softer side when she wanted.  Now was not one of
those times.

“Thank goodness you’re here, Dad. 
I love you!  Andrew has been fussing with that grill for half an hour.  We’ve
got starving guests and toddlers about to explode.  Sean, I need you inside. 
Andrew, please come get the plate of hot dogs and hamburgers.”

The three men looked at each other
in silence until Lisa disappeared back into the house.

“It’s a good thing we love her. 
Otherwise, I might have to pick a fight with her.  Lovely woman you married,
big brother.  I’m off to do whatever it is she wants me to do.  With my luck,
it’s entertaining the kids,” said Sean.

“Just remember those warm meals she
gives you and all the freeloading you do around here,” Andrew retorted.

“Yeah yeah yeah,” Sean laughed as
he disappeared inside the house.

“How’s it looking, Dad?” asked
Andrew.

“Just fine son,” Duncan replied. 
“I’d go get those hot dogs and hamburgers.  She might come back and throw them
at you.”

“And I’ll kindly remind you Lisa is
extremely fond of you.”

“I know.  I’m fond of her.  Do I
stay chained to the grill?  Or is someone at least going to let me see my
grandson?”

“I’ll be back with the plate and
the kid.”

Duncan grinned as Andrew went into
the house.  He got the coals going.  He was glad he didn’t have to be in the
house with the other guests.   He was wondering what had happened to Andrew
when he heard a squeal of joy.

“Grandpa!  Grandpa!  It’s my
birthday!”

Duncan knelt down.  John ran into
his arms.  Duncan hugged him until he giggled.  John had dark brown hair and brown
eyes.  Duncan kissed his forehead.

“Let me look at you.  I can see
you’ve gotten taller.  Yes, it’s your birthday.  How old are you now?  You’re
ten, right?  No, no, you’re twenty years old, right?”

“Grandpa!  You’re silly.  I’m
three!”

“Three years old?  You’re bigger
than that.  Happy Birthday, John!”  Duncan stood up.

“Thank you Grandpa!”  John hugged
Duncan’s legs.

Duncan laughed.  “Do you want to
help me cook the hot dogs?”

Lisa materialized beside Duncan and
Andrew.  “Oh, no, you don’t.  Get to work boys.  There’s extra cake in it for
you.  Maybe I won’t complain the next time you guys watch football.  Let’s go,
John.  Your friends are looking for you.”

Andrew’s eyes were dancing with
laughter.  Duncan kept a straight face until Lisa went back into the house.

“She’s scary,” Duncan chuckled.

Andrew laughed.  “Yes, it’s true. 
She is sometimes.”

“Let’s get this over with so she
doesn’t come out again.  I don’t want a fork stuck in my backside.”

Duncan and Andrew had platefuls of
food heading into the house.  Sean, the errand boy, came out with new plates to
be cooked.  When Sean returned empty-handed, Duncan and Andrew knew their job
was done.  They headed into the house.  Lisa’s look of approval made Andrew pat
Duncan on the back.

“Thanks, Dad,” Andrew said.

“Anytime, son,” Duncan replied. 
“Can we make a plate and sit outside?  It’s a little noisy in here.  I’m sure
Lisa will track us down for garbage detail when it’s present time.”

“Sounds like a good idea to me,”
said Sean.  “Let’s head for the picnic table.”

“She might kill me, but I’m right
behind you,” Andrew whispered.

They sat at the picnic table,
eating happily.  They talked about birthday parties from the past.  They were
laughing heartily when Lisa appeared.

“Gentlemen,” she said.  “Nice
work.  Thank you.  Andrew, I swear to you now we’ll never do this again.  Only
immediate family in the future.  I promise.”

“Yes, dear,” Andrew replied.

Lisa narrowed her eyes at Andrew. 
“I deserved that one.  Guys, it’s time to open the presents.”

“Let’s go men.  This is the
toughest job yet.  It will be a sea of wrapping paper and ribbons.  We may not
survive, but we’re going in!” said Sean, pointing to the sky.

Sticking her tongue out at Sean,
Lisa took Duncan’s arm and led him inside.  She hugged him.

“I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to
say hi, Dad.  How are you?” Lisa asked.

Although Duncan loved her, she
sometimes treated him like a doddering old man.  “I’m fine.  You might be
surprised at how well things are going for me.”

“That sounds interesting.  Anything
you want to tell me?”

“Not right now.  We’ll see how it
goes.”

She kissed him on the cheek.  “If
you want to talk, let me know.”

He kissed the top of her head.  “I
will.”

Lisa led John to the living room
and sat on the floor.  Family and friends surrounded them.  Duncan, Andrew and
Sean stood around the edges.  They took pictures, handed presents to Lisa and
held garbage bags.  When Lisa read Duncan’s card, John squealed.

“What did Grandpa give me?”  He
clapped his hands.

He quickly shredded the paper.  His
face beamed while browsing the pile of books.  He wanted to stop and read all
of them.

Duncan intervened.  “John, we can
look at the books later.  There’s another present from me.  And John, my friend
Meara says happy birthday.”

Lisa’s head whipped up while Andrew
and Sean stared at Duncan.  He gleefully avoided eye contact.  John reached for
the teddy bear bag and pulled it out.  It was love at first sight as John
hugged the bear.

“Thank you, Grandpa!” John
exclaimed.

“You’re welcome, John.”

Sean made his way over to Duncan. 
“Hey, Dad, who’s Meara?”

“She works at my library,” Duncan
said slowly.

“She works for you?  Is she a
librarian?”

“Yes, she works for me and yes,
she’s a librarian.  We’re also friends.”

Sean liked to tease Duncan.  Andrew
knew Duncan missed Brenda and wouldn’t blame him for wanting companionship. 
Andrew wasn’t sure Sean felt the same way.  If Sean started in on Duncan,
Andrew was going to stop it.  In ten years, Duncan hadn’t mentioned anyone.  If
this Meara was important to Duncan, Andrew was not going to let Sean ruin it.

“How can you be friends if she
works for you?  Is she one of those little old lady librarians with the bun in
her hair and thick rimmed glasses?”  Sean laughed.

“You know I’m friends with Tom,
Lucy and Sherrie.  It’s the same thing.  And no, she’s not a little old lady
librarian.”

“You said Meara wished John a Happy
Birthday.  Did she help you pick out the presents?” asked Andrew gently.

“No, she told me what to look for
at the bookstore.”

Sean smirked.  “She’s a nerdy
bookworm, not a cool cybrarian.”

“Meara’s good with computers and
technology.  She also likes working with children.”

Andrew watched Duncan closely.  His
face lit up when he spoke about Meara.  Andrew wanted hear more about her
without Sean pressing Duncan’s buttons.

Sean continued.  “Is Meara socially
awkward, homely and old?  Are the kids afraid of her?  Does she smell like
peppermints?”

“No, Sean, she’s not.  The kids
love her.  As a matter of fact, when you come for Thanksgiving, John should go
to Meara’s storytime,” Duncan said.

“I’m sure John would love it,”
replied Andrew, glaring at Sean.

“If she’s your friend, does that
mean you’re gonna start dating her?” asked Sean innocently.

“Maybe.  She’s interested in me. 
We could always double date.  Oh wait.  You don’t have a girlfriend, do you?”  Duncan
fired back.

Sean and Andrew were both shocked. 
Whoever this new Duncan was, Andrew liked him.  Sean was not so sure.

“Ouch, Dad,” Sean said.  “What the
hell’s gotten into you?”

“If you can’t take the heat, stay
out of the kitchen,” retorted Duncan.

Andrew laughed.  “He finally got
you, Sean.  Admit it.  Nice one, Dad!”

“Yeah, old man, this round goes to
you, but I’m looking for a way to get you back,” Sean said, walking away.

“Do you think I hurt his feelings?”
asked Duncan.

“Maybe a little, but he deserved
it.  He was asking for it,” replied Andrew.  “Don’t feel bad.  He’ll bounce
back.  Enjoy the victory.”

“I will,” Duncan laughed.

“Dad,” Andrew said, seriously.

“Yes, Andrew,” Duncan said,
nervously.

“I want you to be happy,” Andrew
said.

“Thank you, Andrew,” Duncan
sighed.  “I’d like you to meet Meara.”

“Is it that serious?  You’ve never
mentioned her before.”

“I met her in June.  We’re taking
things slowly.  We’re friends.”

“I mean it when I say I want you to
be happy.”

“I’m not sure Sean would be as
understanding.”

“Don’t worry about Sean.  I’ll take
care of him.  It’s Lisa you have to worry about.  She’s going to want details. 
You’re on your own, even I can’t save you.”

Duncan chuckled.  “I’ll tell her I
can’t find something.  She’ll say I’m a silly old grandpa.  She’ll forget I
ever mentioned Meara.”

“Good luck with that one!”

“Good luck with what?” asked Lisa.

Duncan and Andrew jumped.  Lisa had
a habit of appearing out of nowhere and popping into people’s conversations.

“Nothing, honey.”  Andrew smirked
innocently.

“Yeah, right.  Dad, who’s Meara?” asked
Lisa with determination.

“Meara’s my friend.  She works at
my library,” Duncan said simply.

“Why is Sean mumbling about his own
father picking on him?”

“No clue.”  Grinning, Duncan hoped
the questioning was done.

Lisa was a bulldog.  “Meara’s your
friend?  Friend, as in Tom and Lucy friend, or friend, you need silk boxer
shorts for your birthday friend?”

“Honey, thank you for the lovely
visual.  Now I need to wash my brain out with soap,” Andrew laughed.

“Dad?  You haven’t answered,” Lisa
said, hands on hips.

“Can I pass on that question?”
Duncan replied, his voice serious.

Andrew stopped laughing.  “You’re
not kidding, are you?  Lisa, we’ll be meeting Meara at Thanksgiving.  That’s a
long time off, Dad.”

“We’re taking it slow,” Duncan
said.

“Thanksgiving it is then,” Lisa
said.  “I’m looking forward to meeting your Meara.”

Duncan smiled at the thought of
Meara being his.  He couldn’t wait to see her on Monday.