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Oakcrest Estates. Lakeside Division of Bartlett.
The roads leading around Lake Kironos had been repaved in the last year offering a smooth ride. Garrison Dhorne recalls the beauty of the oldest area of Bartlett, Alabama. The town itself was named after pioneer Edgar Bartlett. The extension of Bartlett’s claim adjoined it’s border and was renamed “Oakcrest”, by the other founding father’s back in the dawn of the 1700’s.
Not much was known about the first settler’s other than names and money but their descendants fluoresced and occupied the area with pride. The lake itself was built over coal deposits in the early 1900’s when said descendants of the founding families decided that enough was enough. They didn’t want their town destroyed any further than it had already been. Garrison Dhorne recalled a forbidden history. One that had escaped generations. A secret very few survivors knew about. One that deserved to stay buried.
He would respect the dead.
Winding around the coil of back roads through a thick wooded area he came up to a driveway barricaded by an iron gate complete with camera’s and intercom system. Leaning out his truck window he presses a keypad informing the residents of his arrival. Truck idling he awaited a response, glancing about to spot his own home through the amass of trees in the distance. A home he shared years ago with his late wife “Nora” and his young son “Connor”.
The estate had sat empty for the last few years while he had served his country in ways very few people even knew about. Classified and unheard of by even those who took part. Zip it.
“Who is it?” barked a gruff feminine voice which to those who didnt know better might assume was a man.
Dhorne smiled, “That you Ms. Trinity?”
A long pause he knew meant the cranky old housekeeper needed to put her glasses on to view the surveillance monitor. She returned with a grouchy sigh, “Look what the cat refused to drag in. If you’re looking for table scraps, try “Leftovers” in town.”
Dhorne lifted his sunglasses and winked into the camera. “Now. now! Ms. Maguire is that any way to treat the prodigal son-in law? Bab’s is gonna have you suckin’ suds for treating me all vagabond.”
She cackles, “What’s the password?”
Dhorne rubs his goatee in thought before replying, “ASSWIPE?”
The intercom erupts in a gravel sounding laughter, “And who’s the ASSWIPE?”
Dhorne shakes his head replacing his glasses over his big brown eyes. “That would be my boy. Diaper days are over Ms. Trin.”
Another round of mischievous cackles leads to Trinity opening the gates with a buzz. “We shall see my Baby.”
As Oz beams a cheesy grin at the monitor he steps on his gas pedal. Just out of sight of the camera he grimaces with a shiver, “Now that there just put stains in my Hanes.” He had to laugh at the ole girl.
Steering along the asphalt drive, the foliage beside it abandons his obstructed view of the massive Victorian home belonging to his late wife’s parents “Augustus and Barbara LeGend”.
Again he reflects back to better days. Back when He and Nora first got together eighteen years ago. Many of the trees and flowers he had helped plant. Even in the late summer the flowers were in full bloom. With a single teary eye he knew Nora was tending her garden. That or the pollen count was high.
He puckers up and blows kisses in all four directions, “Get on outta that flower bed and welcome yer MASTER home NoraJean. And, bring those rosy cheeks a wigglin’.” With a memorable sigh he retreats his emotions.
Finally reaching a circle drive he pulls his Dodge Ram up behind a Mercedes Benz freshly coated in wax. Shutting his ignition off he rests back in his seat and exhales, “I can do this. Just goose me along NoraJean.”
His moment of concentration was quickly distilled when he hears the front door of the mansion open.
“Garrison! Welcome home!” He steps out of his truck shutting the door to meet a stunning woman in her early sixties. She was thin and dressed in a jogging suit of ivory and pale yellow. She races into his arms hugging him snugly.
“Good to see ya, Babs. Still the sexiest senior citizen in Bartlett I see. Ole Gus drop over yet so I can tease his crumpet?”
She brightly exhales, “It’s good to see you. And no! Augustus is still kicking. Darn him! He’s down on the dock practicing his yoga.”
Dhorne chuckles, “Maybe Yogi will kick too high and get a booboo.”
She coyly smiles, “That was beary funny, Garrison.”
He shrugs, “Not many fellas like me out there. Being ME’s no picnic.”
She hisses jabbing him in the ribs finding a ticklish spot. “Careful now! Grandma the Wolf just dropped by.” She jabs him again with a stern face.
“Yer gonna break a nail before it goes in yer coffin.”
She doubles up a fist and slugs him in the lower stomach knocking the wind out of him.
“Keep it up I won’t have nuff oxygen to give you CPR.”
Another jab makes him wince, “Dammit Babs. illegal bahis I never should have taught you self defense. Bad nuff I pulled a muscle in my back. Now you’ve gone and tickled my fancy.”
In a sweep of his position he twirls her around and pulls the elderly woman into him digging his fingers all around her rib cage forcing laughter. “Garrison STOP this instant. Before I wet myself.”
He grins from ear to ear, “Whistle for Trinity. She’ll loan ya some “Depends”.” She stops laughing and stomps her heal on his boot toe.
“Damn Babs. You sure ain’t lost yer spunk.”
He releases her at the exact same moment a gravel coated voice erupts behind them, “Get your mitts off the Mistress before I flog you with a frying pan.”
Both Dhorne and Babs turn in unison to see the grumpiest maid in a Tri-State area.
“There’s my butt ugly Primadonna. I knew the ole pack mule would come home for the carrot juicer.”
Babs slaps her son-in-laws arm, “Be nice Garrison. She’s ready to retire in three months.”
Dhorne raises an eyebrow, “No shit! It’s about time you game show junkies played “Nudgin’ the Curmudgeon”. Hey if ya need references for the retirement home I’ll have my buddy the Crypt keeper put in a good word for ya.”
The short redhead sneers at him with one narrowed eye, “I dated the bastard. Dead lay if I ever met one. I’d welcome ya home but I’m swatting the welcome mat in the backyard. Thought you died in some rat infested jungle. Malaria. Malaysia. Wherever!”
Dhorne steps back opening his tailgate, “Naaa! I taught the head hunters how to regrow shrunken heads. Hell they’re runnin’ bowlegged chasin’ anything with a hole. I put the LAY in maLAYsia.”
Bab’s face turns red while Trinity steps to the truck bed extending her arms for a hug, “C’mere you foul mouthed wise ass.”
Dhorne feigns disgust as he hesitates embracing her like the plague. He winks at Babs over Trinity’s shoulder to show her he was only playing. Of course Barbara LeGend knew he was. The respect between them was unconditional.
“Garrison why don’t you let Trinity and I get your bags. Go down to the lake and tell Augustus a few new jokes.”
Dhorne nods trying to break free of Trinity’s bear hug. He reluctantly pats the old woman on the back numerous times to let her know he’s glad to see her again as well. Still she holds on burying her face into his coat.
Babs smirks taking a deep breath before stepping in to clutch both of Trinity’s shoulders, “You can let go now Dear.”
The old woman slides her hands down to grasp both of his butt cheeks as he jumps with a surprised response.
“Frisky critter.”
He chuckles glancing at Babs who apologizes with her eyes. “I dunno what kind of fabric softener yall buy but the static cling around here’s a mite magnetic.”
Babs squeezes her maids shoulders, “Release OZ this instant or I’ll hide your Oreos.”
The old woman immediately lets go looking back with a bitter glare, “That’s it kick an old woman while she’s down. Maybe I’ll just sheer the fur off of that taxidermy poodle you still pamper.”
Barbara drops her jaw, “Don’t you dare go near Mr. Maestro. You’re just jealous because he has more hair than you do.”
Trinity Maguire throws her hands in the air, “What goods a dog collecting dust? Best in Show my freckled ass. The only thing that beast showed was his teeth.”
“And, you showed him your dentures.” Babs fires back.
Dhorne didn’t know whether to play referee or run like hell. As the bickering continued he mimicked silently as if he were telling them he was going to just go see Gus. Slipping away into the house he took time to look over the new furnishings and the long history of family portraits dating back six generations. He stopped at the portrait of his late wife Nora in the Fortier staring up at her with love in his gaze.
Before a tear could well up he looked at the portrait beside Nora. It was that of her slightly older sister “Nina”, “Goddamn Nina. Yer fugly as ever. Reckon you don’t get out much. You gettin’ cross eyed? Or are ya just lookin’ shifty?” He shakes his head reaching up to tilt her painting on it’s wire until it was severely uneven. “Shifty. Yup.”
Turning around he faces the one obstacle he dreaded more than “Nina LeGend Sabastian”. A photograph of his son. Not the photo itself but the boy who had grown up without asking permission. Now the tear he had fought gave way as he quickly wipes it aside, “Our boy’s a looker NoraJean. Look at him in uniform. Reminds me of Dudley Do Right.”
A flutter on his shoulder made his stomach churn, “Bout time you said Boo. I hope you know I’m gonna be a better Mr. Mom this time around.” He reaches up and places a hand on the shoulder that felt the sensation leaving it there as he stared at his son. “Connor James Dhorne. Geeky but all mine.”
He turns his chin slightly, “Ours! If I’m gonna do this NoraJean its gotta be MY WAY. Don’t you tell me to go easy on casino siteleri the Beaver. Gonna be tough. We both know he’s gonna resent me for leaving him. Without you I wasn’t ready to be Ward Cleaver. Course ole June sure did put the Cleave in Cleavage. No wonder the Beav had buck teeth. He breast fed til he was seven.”
He chuckles tilting his chin again. “Yeah, I know. You had better milk money.”
A moment of silence his humor fades, “Hope you understand it was bad judgement on my part taking a chance on yer sister. You wanted her to care for him if anything happened to us. I let you make that decision. I just delivered the goods. He needed a Momma. Even though Nina was all goat’s milk and steel wool. I figured with her attitude she could play Mom and Pop both. Her Hubby Donatello was the shining light in that two lane highway. At least our boy had the chance to know the guy for a spell. Also thought by having “Conjob” around she might get over losing Don Sebastian. Bless his soul. Two birds with one stone. Her never having kids I reckon I thought she would be a better surrogate.”
He lowers his chin, “I’m a bad parent ain’t I? Deadbeat and beaten. All I know is war and intrigue.”
He banters about in a series of nods, “How to be a MASTER.”
With a deep sigh he lets her spirit have it, “You made me find Cupid after I shot his ass outta the sky. My ONE true love. When I lost you I couldn’t love again. Only possess. Lead with a silver tongue and a fist of iron.”
He listens to the silence nodding, “Of course I made sure our boy was financially independent. He wasn’t spoiled like Nina was. I learned from ya Nora. Just like you learned from me. Sure I owned you. Collared, leashed, and obedient to the “T”. Yet, I allowed you inside. To tame me in yer own way. Takes a tough gal to give up her soul. That gift of love was given back. Rewarded through that songbird voice.”
“You controlled yer audience. Possessed ’em. And, still you crawled to ME out of respect. Gave me a boy who might one day grow up to be a better MASTER.” He hesitates softly laughing, “Who are we kiddin’? That boy’s gonna grow up to be a clerk at a “Panty Waist” lingerie store in South Beach.”
He winces chuckling then settles his arm from his shoulder to his coat pocket. Feeling a piece of paper but merely feels a warmth to its texture. Silence befalls him as he loses all expression. Huffing without aim he takes his leave.
His stroll leads him out the back of the mansion as again he admires the beauty of the landscape. Timber shrouded two sides of the back half of the estate. Only a guest house which Trinity Maguire called home, a six car garage, and a large gazebo rested amid a path of flowers. A large fountain full of Koi, and ornate statues lined the path amid the Orchids.
Following the cobblestone walkway he reaches a slope going down to the lake. He absorbed the tranquility of the crystalline water spotted by a series of islands two miles out. Sailboats gently made their way like swans across the lake. It was breathtaking. He frowned every time he heard the pounding of hammers coming from the neighboring property.
At the bottom of the slope was a rather large dock with a cabin cruiser anchored inside a boat shelter. Midway of the dock was a large planked square. Within that square stood an elderly man in satin pajamas. His stature was a healthy 5’7″, 150 pounds, silver hair, well trimmed moustache, and wire rimmed glasses. Dhorne always thought he looked like actor John Forsythe.
For a length of time he watched his Father-in-law move about stretching in slow motion almost appearing more of a martial arts warm up than anything yoga. “Lookin’ fit as a fiddle, Mr. MiYogi. Better tighten yer Bible belt ‘fore yer pants fall down” Oz calls out.
The gentleman kept his pose ignoring the outside world as he monitored his breathing. Dhorne realized he had gone unnoticed and cautiously crept up behind the man. Amused by the lack of hearing he noted a wireless headset which prevented any outside disturbances. Puckering his lips he raised his right hand and lightly touched the hair on the back of Augustus LeGend’s neck.
The man became aware swatting back at what he thought was an annoying fly. Time and time again Gus took jabs at the little nonexistent pest. Finally he opened his eyes and grumbled “Leave me alone God darn you.”
Then came a tap to his shoulder making him jump out of his skin as he swiftly turns around, “Egad Man! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?”
Dhorne smiled brightly at his growing recognition. “Reckon that means I’m an Egadfly.”
The elder throws his arms around his long absent son-in-law pinning Dhorne’s arms to his sides.
“Good to see you too Gus.”
The man let go long enough to take in the long overdue sight before throwing himself into another bear hug.
“Just don’t squeeze my ass like Trinity did, Gus. I might have to widow make ole Babs.”
Gus lets go eventually poker siteleri and quickly removes the earplugs, “What did you say? Germinate the bulbs? Tell the Gardner when he comes on Friday.”
Oz shakes his head, “Same ole Gus. Tuning out the Wife and Life.”
Gus smirks putting the headset up to Garrison’s ear. He listens to the soft melody of the most beautiful voice he had ever heard and smiles, “Nora”.
Augustus LeGend sighs lowering his gaze, “Nora”.
The song nearly brought both men to tears when abruptly Gus reached to the MP3 player clipped to the waist band of his pajama pants, shutting it off, “You’re a day early Son.”
Oz sniffles then adjusts his emotions, “Reckon I needed a head start. Soul searchin’ ain’t always so easy to find the tracks it leaves behind. Suppose I needed a day of calm before the storm.”
Gus nods, “Connor will be just fine. You know you can count on the Mrs. and I. If not your sister-in-law. Nora wanted Nina appointed guardian while you were abroad should anything delay your return.”
Oz fidgets taking a deep breath, “I know. I consented not relented. I figured Nina would have cared more. I reckon the loss of her Hubby Don took its toll on her. Hoped maybe Conjob and Nina could have held each other up.” A momentary pause to reflect, “When’s the witch coming home?”
Gus frowns at the name calling then nods after thinking about his daughter, “Her broom arrives the day after tomorrow.”
Dhorne grinned reluctantly, “Reckon she puts the ASS in First clASS. Ain’t she allergic to Nuts? No wait! If she was she’d be allergic to herself.”
Gus wants to laugh but respects his daughter as much as possible. “Nina rented a limo to drive her here from Birmingham. What time does Connor’s bus get to Bartlett?”
Oz glances without thought to his reaction toward the hammering on the property on the opposite side of the forest. “Tomorrow at 7:00 P.M.. Can’t wait.”
Gus notes his son-in-law’s sarcasm.
“Relax. The first week might be rough, but he’ll come around. You both need each other.” He reaches out gripping Dhorne’s right arm, “Stick it out this time.”
Oz shakes his head of all thoughts negative, “Gonna. Good with the bad.” He changes the subject with a cleared throat, “Sounds like Mercedes is behind schedule.”
Gus puts his hands over his eyes to block the sun as he looks toward the beach line to the east.
“She and her crew have worked diligently for two weeks now. The pools are laid and the additional rooms are completed. I believe they are still erecting the upper deck and roofing the new garage. Why don’t you take a walk over and see for yourself. Comeback when you’re ready. And, Ozymandias?”
Dhorne looks for the punchline. “Breath. Gotcha, Yoda. I mean Yoga. Is that his little brother?” With a wink Oz strolls along the shore.
Gus was glad to see his son-in-law.
Dhorne too was glad that he had checked into his favorite Hotel.
The Open Arms.
Even though he had reservations about his stay.
Watching his son-in-law vanish around the bend of trees aligning his estate Augustus Antonio LeGend drifted into thoughts of the past. His reflections led back to the day He and his wife Barbara were introduced to the dashing gentleman in Naval attire. Garrison Dhorne was well mannered and smart as a whip with nine barbs. Soft spoken at times, lush with humor, and an intensity that proved him dedicated not only to his career but to their daughter.
It was refreshing he had thought as Garrison took pride in asking He and Barbara for Nora’s hand in marriage. That in itself gave Augustus a hint of trust. A trust that over the years grew invincible. Even after Nora’s death and the struggles Garrison had with being a single parent Augustus knew this day would come. The day Garrison Dhorne would come to his senses. He knew his son-in-law would do the right thing. Augustus knew immediately from first contact with Garrison that he had found the one man capable of honoring the family oath.
Having no son to carry on the LeGend family crest Augustus could only buy his time until either Nora or Nina could provide an heir apparent. Not only to the LeGend fortune but also as Guardian over the secret that his ancestry had kept all these centuries. Garrison Dhorne was born with a destiny built on strength and honor. After digging up the history of the Dhorne family he knew. Augustus was fortunate that Nora found him. Perhaps Augustus thought she had finally found G.O.D. Bless her soul.
“Augustus? Is that a tear I see? Are you alright?”
He twists his head to witness his beautiful wife Barbara sliding her arms around his waist as she pecks his cheek with a kiss. He pats her hands on his abdomen, “Of course. Memory lane, Babs. That’s all. I have faith in the boy. I’m quite certain our daughter is smiling down at us.”
Barbara grins peering up at the sky, “You must be relieved. I’m sure that Nora is not the only family member sighing with relief.”
He nods, “A long chorus line indeed.”
Their moment of jubilation is ripped out from under them when the intercom speaker attached to the beach staircase echoes the sound of a scratched record, “Put a sock in it Lovebird’s. Augie has a call on Line one.”
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