Back in the Day 3:: The Final Chapter

By Rob French

Back in the Day 3: The Final Chapter starts in more modern day and is designed to take you back almost 3 decades to where Back in the Day 2: The College Years left off. Through the use of reflection you go from more current time back to 1978 where the 2nd book of the Trilogy leaves off and eventually comes to an end. The story tells of good times and sad times and what the characters did to make it through it all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: May 10, 2013
• ISBN: 9781481733359

Rob French

A native of Massachusetts, Rob French began his writing career in the very early 2000s. After many attempts on his first manuscript, he put it away for about 10 years. He never felt his story contained a message he wanted to convey. He finally scrapped the entire manuscript and started from scratch. It took him almost a year to come up with a manuscript that met his approval. He went on to create a sequel to the first book and then the third to comprise a trilogy. His fourth book was geared to the generation of 20 to 30 somethings. He felt he finally found his niche. Recently he published his fifth book Guardian Angel on Window Lake adding a little bit of a twist from his usual style of writing. He continues to write in hopes that his readers can once again find the special message(s) he has tried to weave into his novels. Living on the Coast is his sixth novel.

Book preview

Back in the Day 3

The Final Chapter

Rob French

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AuthorHouse™

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.authorhouse.com

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© 2013 by Rob French. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 04/01/2013

ISBN: 978-1-4817-3336-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4817-3334-2 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4817-3335-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013905551

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Final Thoughts

With Gratitude

Dedication

In loving memory

Of my my mother

Lillian French 1919-1986

You were a true inspiration to me

With your unconditional love for

Your family.

It is because of that unconditional love

That I was able to transfer that

Into the characters of this trilogy.

You are very much loved and missed

You will always be in my heart.

Chapter 1

It was a beautiful summer day. The sun shone bright and the air was warm with a soft gentle breeze flowing. Ordinarily this would have been one of the greatest days to enjoy the outdoors. I, however, was having a difficult time handling everything that had gone on in recent weeks. I used to look forward with such anticipation each summer for days like this to sit out in the back yard in the old tire swing. I would gaze at the beautiful blue sky. It reminded me of the blue waters of the ocean. The puffy white clouds here and there, in my mind anyway, resembled the white caps on the ocean waves. But today I sat and looked up in the sky as I had done so many times and found a distinct calmness and an almost void of motion contrary to the visions I once had.

I sat out there and looked upwards for the longest time before I heard my name being called out from inside the house. It was time to come back down out of the clouds to reality, a reality I did not want to face. So many details needed to be arranged. I had to find a suit that was appropriate. The banquet hall had to be set up and decorated. Flowers for the tables had to be ordered. I tried to persuade the Kensingtons to go with a vase of red and white roses on each table. The decision of whether to hire a band or a DJ needed to be made. I was glad the Kensingtons were around to help me make the decisions. It was decided that people would be given a choice between roast beef, chicken or salmon. Oh, how am I ever going to get all these tasks done in time? I thought to myself. The K’s were always there to help and I knew I could count on them once again.

Planning a 50th wedding anniversary party was not an easy task. So much preparation was necessary. Mrs. K showed up with some samples of invitations. After looking at them we decided on something simple. We picked a standard white stock with gold lettering. We spent some time putting together a guest list. I just wish Kirk was here for all of this. The house seems so empty when he is not around, but I understand.

All the guys have called and are making their reservations (to come home) so they can be here for the big event. Each and every one of them had picked out something that they would do to help with all the arrangements. Everyone would be staying here at the house. All of their rooms are just as they left them when they moved out. All the bed linens had been stripped off the beds and laundered and remade. In just under a couple of weeks, the house would once again be filled with chatter and laughter and reminiscing of the old days and catching up on more recent times. I couldn’t wait; the anticipation was killing me, so to speak.

Every day there was something different to do. Some days things at the Home were hectic which meant long hours into the night planning the party. But in the end, I knew it would all be worth the hard work. Between work at the Home and the party planning, the days seemed to go by rather quickly. In just a couple days everyone would be here. What a reunion this will be. All the extended family was going to be here but it was going to be tough to keep their presence a secret until the right time. I set my coffee cup down and walked over to the wall in the living room that had everyone’s pictures on it. I stopped momentarily when I got to Thomas’ picture. Without realizing it, I spoke out loud and asked him what he thought of it all and how I wished he were here to see it. I knew he was watching down on all of us from above. He would make sure that we all got everything done that we needed to do and that the party would be a success.

It was at that moment, I heard the front door open and close shut. There are a lot of memories in those pictures. I turned and there was Kirk. I ran to him, tears flowing from my eyes. How, when, I mean, well you know what I mean! I exclaimed. He began to tell me how he felt it was time to come home for a little while. Three months of sitting in that hospital room just waiting. I asked how Dad was. He’s holding his own, getting stronger each day. The doctors are hoping he can come home soon. I got Kirk settled and fixed him some lunch. There was so much to talk about, so many things I wanted and needed to know.

I told him how the guys would be here in a couple of days to help finalize all the plans for the party. It would have been nice if Dad could have been here for the party, but I know he will be here in spirit I told Kirk. He patted my shoulder and told me everything would be fine and that Dad would be home soon. He thought it might be a good idea if I went to the hospital to visit him. I had only gone a few times since the accident and it was very tough to see him lying there knowing there was nothing I could do to help him. I thought to myself that if I had been more careful that he would not be where he is now. Kirk tried to reassure me that it was not my fault and I needed to stop blaming myself. He thought I really needed to see him in order to stop this feeling of guilt. Go see him, tell him you love him and he will welcome you with open arms. I just did not know if I could go through with it even though Kirk said how much better he was doing, I still felt to blame.

The following day, I forced myself to go to the hospital. I must have walked around the courtyard in front of the hospital for about an hour before gathering the strength to go inside and up to his room. I walked very slowly, trying to put off breaking down in front of him like I had done a few times before. But maybe now that he is getting better and stronger, it won’t seem so bad. Maybe this is the time that I can be strong, strong enough for the both of us. I walked off the elevator and turned to the right. His room was only a few doors down from the bank of elevators. I approached his room and froze in the doorway. His head turned and he smiled at me. He patted the edge of the bed, motioning for me to come and sit next to him.

I walked up and sat on the edge of the bed. I took his hand and began to weep. I’m so sorry Dad, it’s all my fault. I could see the tears start to trickle down his cheek. He grasped my hand and said, Son, this is no one’s fault but mine. I was careless and not paying attention to what I was doing. You have to stop blaming yourself. But Dad I started to say. He stopped me in my tracks. He blatantly told me he would not stand for this guilt trip I put myself on. He said what we needed to focus on was him getting well enough to come home from the hospital. He told me how he has physical therapy twice a day now that he is getting stronger and it is just a matter of time and he will be strong enough to leave the hospital. He would need help once he is released until he regains full mobility.

I kept replaying the incident in my head over and over. I cried every time I thought of it for the past six months. Dad was right though. It was time to put it behind us and focus on getting him well enough to come home. We talked for what seemed like hours. I told him how all the guys were going to be here in a couple of days and they couldn’t wait to see him. They all miss him very much. Everyone so wanted a family camping trip this summer but after the accident, it was not in the cards. It was getting late and I needed to head home and finish with the plans. I told him I would be back in a few days and would not be so distant from now on. I think our talk really did me some good.

I went home and Kirk was waiting for me. He wanted to know how the visit went. I filled him in and told him how I was starting to feel better. Dad was healing physically and I was healing emotionally. It would take me a while to lose the guilty feelings completely, but I was working on it. I was tired and asked Kirk if he minded if I just headed up to bed and skipped dinner. He thought it would be okay considering I had been spending so many hours planning the party.

Final preparations were being made and it was getting closer to the party. I still wish things had been different so that Dad could have been here to enjoy. A couple more days and all the guys would be here. Everyone seemed to be so excited about their arrival. There was so much to catch up on with how things were going at the Homes that they were running. I will say this much, all that money spent on college really paid off. I was going to take a break today and go see Dad at the hospital. I had promised I would visit more often and was trying to live up to that promise. He understood how tiring it can be planning a party.

That night I quickly ate dinner and wound up crashing on the sofa. I didn’t even hear Kirk head up for bed. He must have known how tired I was. Instead of waking me, he just threw a blanket over me and let me sleep. He can be so thoughtful. One more day and the troops would be descending on our home. Everything was done in anticipation of their arrival. All we had to do was go to the airport and pick up our guests. In a little less than a week the party would be upon us. So much left to do and so little time to do it in. It sure is going to be nice having the guys here to help with last minute preparations.

I tried to keep myself busy all day to help make the time go by faster. I checked all the bedrooms to make sure everyone had fresh towels. Linens had all been done. I worked out in the back yard for a while. I sat in the tire swing when I took a break. I thought back to all the times Dad and I came out here to talk. That’s the thing about my Dad. He always made time to talk with me when I needed a shoulder to lean on. It was just one more thing that showed how caring a man he was. I finished up with my yard work and put everything away. When I went inside, Kirk had dinner waiting for me. He felt that we should call it an early night as we had people to pick up at the airport in the morning. It was going to be hectic as not everyone was arriving at the same time so there would be a couple trips back and forth to the airport.

In the morning Kirk and I got ready and headed to the airport to pick up Chris and Manny. It was so great to see them. I had missed them so much. We met them down at baggage claim which was easier now that post 9-11 security was so tight. It had been five years since that horrific day but I remember it like it was yesterday. Whatever happened to the days when people were so excited and happy about flying? Now they just get on the plane, buckle their seat belts and pray for the best. All the way home from the airport it was like 20 questions. Chris kept telling me to slow down, there would be plenty of time to talk and get caught up. Manny must have been pretty tired. He slept most of the way home. Once we got back to the house though he made a beeline for the wall with all the photos.

So many memories this wall holds. I remember when we all moved into the house. I can’t believe it’s been 28 years since then. Manny stated. Chris was probably just as emotional as Manny but he held it in better. Chris didn’t show his emotions as quickly and easily as Manny did. I think losing his father really hit him hard. His mom did the best she could to comfort him and be there for him. She had done a really good job of living up to that promise she made him during college. Everyone sat down and Kirk made a pot of coffee. We talked and talked until it was time to head back to the airport to pick up Kyle and Philip.

Once again, back in the car and off to the airport. It was so emotional when Kyle approached and Kirk ran to him and threw his arms around him and cried like a baby. It is funny how after all these years, you still couldn’t tell the two of them apart. Philip came up and hugged everyone. Kirk told him there was a pot of coffee waiting for him back at the house. Oh! God no! Please tell me that you learned how to make a decent pot of coffee! he exclaimed. Kirk just laughed and told him he’s been making it the same way as he taught him before he and Kyle moved out.

We packed their luggage into the trunk of the car. We headed back to the house where Chris and Manny were anxiously awaiting their arrival. It was going to be a long day as we had one more trip to make to the airport in the latter part of the afternoon. As we pulled into the driveway Chris and Manny came running out of the house. They couldn’t wait until we were all inside. Hugs were flying all over the place. It had been some time since we were all together. It was like old times only everyone seemed to have gotten a bit older. The first thing Philip did when we got in the house was to grab a cup of coffee. Not bad Kirk. I see you have been practicing! he joked. Kirk gave Philip a nudge to the shoulder. We all sat around talking and patiently waiting to make that last trip to the airport.

Based on the time of the arrival of Chaz and Jason’s flight we would all be able to sit down together for a family dinner. I noticed how as each couple arrived; they made their way to the wall of photos. How everyone wished that Thomas could have been here for this. Chris claimed that Thomas was watching over all of us. It was now about three o’clock and time to head back to the airport. It was just Kirk and I that went and left the others to catch up. It was not a problem for us as they had lived in that house long enough that they knew their way around. After arriving at the airport we made our way just like the previous two trips to the baggage claim area. Chaz and Jason were standing there waiting for us. Their flight arrived about 15 minutes early. We packed up their suitcases into the trunk and headed for home. The whole gang was waiting in the house like a welcoming committee. Their presence had to be kept a secret or it would have ruined the surprise.

While we were gone everyone had taken their luggage and brought it to their respective rooms. Everyone got to stay in their old rooms. They all had to walk around the house and relive old times. Philip was the first to ask when they could all go to the hospital to see Dad. It was late and he would be tired from the physical therapy so we thought it best to wait until the next day. We did however, make a call to his room so they could all at least say hello and tell him that they made it safely. It was like a madhouse, everyone wanted to get on the phone first. The chats were kept to a minimum so as not to tire him out too quickly. There would be time the next day to chat more when they visited him.

It didn’t take long before the doorbell rang. Philip’s parents showed up for a long awaited reunion with their son. We had told them in advance to keep their presence here a secret so as not to spoil the surprise. Mrs. K just couldn’t seem to bring herself to stop hugging Philip. His parents kept rattling off questions one after another. They barely gave him time to answer one question before they were asking another. His mom commented how he looked a little thin and wanted to be reassured that he had been eating properly. That was not difficult for Philip to do considering how good a cook he was.

Everyone gathered in the living room and found a place to sit. More coffee was made as the group got larger and larger. Mrs. K inquired of Kirk, So where is your mother? He responded that she was visiting Dad at the hospital. It had been a few days since the K’s had gone to visit him. How is he doing? she asked. Kirk said he is getting much better and gaining more and more strength each day and that it wouldn’t be long now before he could come home and start rehab on an outpatient basis. Everyone was pleased to hear that. He had been away from home all too long now. No one had thought about what to do for dinner. The K’s decided they would treat everyone to dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant.

We piled into the cars and headed for the restaurant. It felt nice to be back in familiar surroundings as a family again. It has been many years since our last family dinner there. Kyle was astonished to find the the same waiter there but now he was the owner of the place. He had saved and saved for so long and eventually when the owner was going to close down the restaurant he made the owner an offer to buy it and keep it going. He kept the name and kept up the tradition of such generous portions while maintaining an affordable price. Everyone laughed and cried