Rest of the evening went by quickly, George and Alyssa danced often. Around six we ran out of food and the crowd seemed to start dispersing shortly after. The happy couple has a chartered flight waiting for them and they leave at 7 o’clock to catch it.
While George and Alyssa are away, we had it planned down to the last minute. Across the river will be building them a cottage for the two of them. Daniel of course was the architect we hired to design it. Shortly after the two of them became a couple, the family came together with an idea for the wedding present of the cottage. Daniel and Marshall scouted the land and decided on an area across the river. We had it surveyed and all the permits already attained. Even before the wedding some of the work accomplished off-site.
Early that Monday morning the heavy equipment rolled in and the major work would begin. We hired everyone available to work on it. We were going to do our own version of extreme home-building.
With all the research we’ve done we felt pretty sure Alyssa would love it. Joan and Johnny had given a lot of input on the design and what her mother’s taste was. Joan had taken the opportunity to ask her mother a lot of questions, as if going into her own home. Daniel had even asked Alyssa a few questions, when Joan wasn’t available. Hopefully we got it right. The house was a simple cottage with only two bedrooms, perfect for George and Alyssa to spend time together on the weekends. George of course still has his large home in town.
Even before I left for school Monday morning, the driveway opposite the fence extends down to the river. Several tractor-trailers are at the end of the driveway, most hold the heavy equipment needed for the construction of the bridge. One tractor-trailer carries the forms needed for the peers to the bridge. By this evening the bridge should be well underway and completed by Wednesday. A barge would move some of the heavy equipment across the river where the work can begin there today also. By tomorrow afternoon a barge and Crane will navigate of the River with a prefabricated bridge.
A company that makes bridge parts sold us a prefabricated kit for a two-lane bridge that was actually cheaper than designing a single lane bridge. The bridge is high enough above the river that it wouldn’t interfere with boat traffic. This side we had a boating ramp and install a dock for MC, Joan, and Marshall. A second dock will mirror this one on the opposite shore for George and Alyssa. It’s a good thing to my dock is a little overcrowded.
Monday at lunch Kathryn and Sam showed up driven by MC, the office hadn’t even gotten back with me to let me know if they could stay. So we ate our lunch, and I try to give the office another call. Not getting an answer I chose to take their silence as a yes. They failed to tell me no after all. There’s nothing in the code of conduct about that.
I had a free period, after lunch and before the beginners’ self-defense course. Not having my own office Kathryn and I took Sam to the library. Sam’s eyes lit up seeing all the books. I had to tell Sam that she’s in a public library and to keep her voice soft, as not to disturb the other readers.
Sam enjoyed her hour in the library. She is really enjoying the book she started so I checked it out for her. Sam’s love of reading is something I hope she never loses. Sam set in Kathryn’s lap as they watch me give the self-defense classes. At the end of the day, they stayed through football practice. Sam had nearly completed a fourth of the book by the end of the day.
I had arranged for a charter flight, first we were going to Sam’s grandmother’s house to pick up some of the personal items still there. Ron actually had a key, and we finally got a letter addressed to the guardians of Samantha Sheridan. The letter basically informed us of the property transfer to Sam. Sam’s property taxes were overdue. Kathryn quickly paid the late taxes, to keep the property for Samantha. We would hire someone as a caretaker for the property at a later date. We basically fly there for a day then on back to Texas to drop off Ron and Reese before returning home later Sunday.
The Coach likes to have me at the games, but understood the need so he allowed me to leave that Friday after school. We leave from the airport a half hour after the end of the school day. I’m beginning to love chartered flights, they’re very expensive compared to normal tickets but so much more convenient. On this flight we have a female pilot, after we are at cruising altitude she comes back and seen Sam looking out the window and how excited she is. The pilot invites her up to the cockpit to look out the front for a few moments of course Daddy has to carry her. Our pilot giggles at Sam’s excitement, Sam loves to fly and getting to see from the cockpit is a big thrill for her.
Sam’s moment ends far too soon, and she’s a little disappointed having to return to our seats. I tell her, “Sam when you’re sixteen you can learn to fly your own airplane. You could be my pilot if you want to.”
Sam giggles and says, “Daddy you know I won’t forget.”
With a chuckle I say, “And neither will I. You may change your mind by then.” Sam giggles and then started looking out the window again. The rest of the flight goes by quickly as the light fades and Sam can’t see anything else she comes to my lap and falls asleep. Kathryn is beside us resting on my shoulder she falls asleep shortly after Sam.
The flight attendant woke us before we started our approach to land. We fasten our seatbelts with Sam between Kathryn and I. Ron and Reese set opposite to us and when no one else is around they take each other’s hand.
When we exit the plane our luggage waits for us. We head off to the rent a car to pick up the vehicle we will use. There are a number of things we need to do while we’re here. Because of the time difference is only 6 o’clock local. Sam’s grandmother’s house is a good hour away, and we have two hotel suites reserved fifteen minutes from here. Very early tomorrow morning we’ll go to Sam’s grandmother’s house, to pick up photos and any personal items Sam wants. We also had to hire a caretaker for the property, and I had arranged for several applicants to meet me tonight at the hotel.
A man in his late-50s accompanied by his minister arrives early for his interview. After speaking with a man for a short time, and then his minister I learned he had been homeless for a number of years. He was underemployed most of his life, but he has not become bitter by his experiences. He is friendly and outgoing. Even Sam and Kathryn like him, Ron is a little reserved on his opinion until he finds out the man is a Vietnam vet having served near the end of the war. The minister is his contact; he doesn’t have a phone or local address.
One other man is in the running for the job is a young man near my age. He is physically able to do any of the work needed around the place, but lacks the experience and knowledge to do it. At the end of the interview I asked if he would be willing to work with the older gentleman. I say to him, “I have another candidate who is older and more experienced. He may not be physically able to do all the work. Would you be willing to work with him? He has the knowledge and experience of a lifetime doing work like this.”
The young man has a bright smile until he asks, “Who will I be working with.”
Giving him his name the young man’s bright smile returns as he says, “That’s my uncle Steve, he knows about everything when it comes to repairing a house. I can learn a lot from him.”
Feeling good about the two I say, “If you and your uncle Steve could be at the house tomorrow at noon. We’ll get you a key, and I have the paperwork set up to hire you.”
The next morning we got up as early as we could, a little earlier than Sam might like. She fell back asleep on my lap during breakfast. Ron chuckled at her. He pointed out, “That’s the third or fourth time I caught her asleep in your lap. You say she doesn’t do that very often.”
Chuckling myself I say, “She hasn’t in the past. She probably was very excited and got up very early yesterday.”
Reese says, “I know she didn’t have a nap yesterday too. She was very excited about flying again.”
Still chuckling Ron says, “It really doesn’t matter. Obviously Sam is very comfortable with you.”
Chuckling in return I say, “Obviously.”
We arrive at Sam’s house a little after eight. Sam slept most of the way here having fallen asleep shortly after leaving the hotel. The cottage we arrive at is in poor condition, and is definitely need of many repairs. Without someone working on it the house would probably fall down in a number of years, far short of a decade.
Sam seems to wake up the instant I turn off the SUV we rented. When Sam recognizes where we are at, she jumps out running around the edge of the house. Not understanding why or where Sam is going I follow first at a walk but losing sight of her on the second corner I break into a run following her. Once around the corner I can’t see Sam anywhere, a playhouse is in the backyard with the door open. Kathryn rounding the corner, she calls out for Sam. We barely hear Sam’s reply, but it lets us know she is in the play house. My heart rate begins returning to normal. Ron and Reese are right behind Kathryn.
The doorway is a little more than four foot tall, and I have to bend over to look in. Sam is in what looks like a comfortable chair but she holds her knees to her chest. The playhouse holds a daybed, and table and three chairs, stuffed animals set at two of the chairs. A tea set is on the table, undisturbed since Sam was last here.
I ask, “Princess, are you okay?”
Sam looks up scared and small again. I see Sam’s pain deep down to her soul. Gone is the self-assured little girl, unsure of our love. I’m looking at a loss and terrified girl who probably hidden in here. My heart breaks like seeing her for the first time again. I moved through the doorway and Kathryn follows quickly. There’s not enough room for me to fully stand, so I go to my knees and shuffle across to Sam. Kathryn and I take her into our arms and Sam begins to cry. After a long time she finally stops, looking into our faces she asks, “Did you bring me here to leave me?”
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