TIME-TO-SEE-81
Sean kept Dillon entertained for most of the drive from Los Angeles to Escondido. When they reached the northern edge of San Diego County, Dillon finally collapsed from sheer exhaustion, falling asleep in his car seat.
And for the first time since they landed, Sean had time to sit all to himself thinking about the last two days. It all seemed impossible, but it had happened, because here he was, sitting in Craig and Jake's car in the United States, far from the dangers in his home country. He would never have ever dreamed such a chain of events.
"Did we lose both of you, or are you still awake, Sean?" Jake asked looking in the rearview mirror.
"Oh, no Sir. I'm awake. I think Dillon was really tired though from all of his play," Sean replied.
"You doing okay? Hungry?" Craig asked.
"No Sir. The Mexican food still has me feeling quite full. I think it will be a while..." Sean said.
Jake looked over at Craig and said, "When we get back, how about you take Dillon in and put him down, if you don't mind."
Craig said, "Oh, no...I wonder whether you and Sean can go over to Kevin and Hugo's place and feed the dogs for tonight. They're probably going crazy being locked up all day..."
"Sure." Jake answered. "I feel up to it." Then he looked over his shoulder into the back seat and spoke, "Sean... you mind going with me over to Kevin's and Hugo's house to feed and exercise their dogs?"
"Oh, no Sir. I'd like that," Sean replied.
"How many dogs do they have?" Sean asked.
"Four." Craig answered.
"FOUR!? That's a lot of dogs... I bet they eat a lot." Sean said.
"Yeah! And they make plenty of noise and lots of poop too," Jake answered.
"Then I can tell them that I am taking care of their dogs, and they're helping to take care of MY dog.... that is, you can tell my dad and he can tell Nicky and Jilder," Sean said.
"And Dillon has a mutt too," Craig said looking over the seat into the back.
"YOU have a dog too?" Sean asked.
"We do indeed. He's bigger than Dillon, but Dillon behaves like he's the master when it's clear that the dog could eat him alive if he cared to, but actually, that dog is so gentle he never complains when Dillon hangs on him or scolds him..." Craig explained.
"That's so great," Sean replied.
"Yeah! It's nice that the two of them get along so well..." Craig said.
The miles hurried by. They had driven out of the big city a long time ago and now sped down the interstate freeways heading for Escondido.
Sean watched silently as the miles and the sights whipped by...
Finally Jake pulled the car up into their driveway and cut the engine.
Everyone simply sat without moving or speaking for a moment... The highly motivated activities of the morning left them all ready for a bit of quiet and peace...
Craig popped out of the front seat and opened the car door next to Dillon's car seat. Gently he unbuckled little Dillon and lifted him out of his padded cacoon; all of this pulling and tugging didn't rouse Dillon at all. The child slept on completely untroubled.
Craig kissed Dillon on his little blond head and on his ear, held him close and securely next to his body, and walked slowly up to the front door.
Jake ran ahead to unlock the door before Craig arrived with Dillon. And he managed to swing the storm door open just before they got there.
He watched Sean as Craig and Dillon passed him on the way toward the house. Jake found himself looking directly at Sean, who was watching Dillon in Craig's arms. At that moment Sean's eyes betrayed an unmistakable longing for love as he looked on Craig embracing little Dillon, so peaceful and safe, in his father's arms.
Jake let the storm door swing closed after Craig and Dillon went in. He walked down the few steps from the porch to the sidewalk and took a few more steps before he reached Sean.
And looking directly into Sean's eyes, Jake reached out and pulled the boy into his arms and gave him a loving bear hug, rocking the two of them back and forth. We're glad to have you with us for as long as you need our help. You'll have a place here, Sean, whenever you need us, even after your own dads arrive. And, Sean, we love you and want you to be here as much as- and maybe more than- you may need to be here."
"You have FOUR dads, Sean, if you need them..."
And Jake kissed Sean on the side of his head, right in the dark, shaggy mop of hair that fell around his ears, and he rubbed Sean on the back again as he did.
The boy relaxed into Jake's strong embrace, realizing how scared and tense he had been for all of those long hours after he escaped from the Lufthansa flight, hiding in the terminal, avoiding notice, and then meeting Craig and deciding whether there was more danger to be negotiated with Craig. "Thank you, God, for sending these nice people to protect me." Sean thought...
Sean said, "Thank you, Sir. I want to stay with you until my own dad comes for me. But I like you and Craig... You can be my dads too, my American dads..."
And Sean hugged Jake back. His heartbeat instantly reset to slow and calm, feeling the child-like need that Jake had given him permission to admit. Jake brought out with his perception and his spontaneous hug that it was alright to feel small and feel like he wanted to be loved. "Thank you," Sean said again...He paused, and then he spoke to Jake: "I love you..."
And Jake patted and rubbed his back again, "I love you too, Son..."
And they both returned to the car and drove off together.
Having left Craig at home to be with Dillon while he slept, Jake and Sean drove over to Kevin and Jake's townhouse and went into the backyard where the dogs had been left during the day.
"This is very strange looking grass," Sean commented to Jake as they went in.
"Yep, it is." Jake replied. "Because it's actually not grass at all. Look closely."
Sean was inundated by barking pooches, all of them jumping up on him at once. The dogs knew Jake; he wasn't interesting, because there was this new smell that was driving all of them crazy... The smell was called "Sean."
"Yeah! I see. Jake, it's everywhere... I mean, don't they have any REAL grass around here?" Sean asked.
"Yep. The grass outside of the fence, on the side of the house and all of the grass out in front is the real thing," Jake answered.
"Why do Kevin and Hugo have this.... Uh? What do you call it???" Sean said.
"You can call it Astroturf. It's the same stuff that they put on professional football fields..." Jake said. "When they brought home all of these dogs, Kevin thought it would save them work and make it easier to clean up the poop if they had this fake grass installed."
Jake went on, "I do have to admit it makes cleaning up tons of dog shit MUCH easier if there's no mud and stuff to make things messier."
Sean laughed at Jake's calling the dog poop "dog shit."
"Well, Sean, that's what it is: DOG SHIT!"
And Sean laughed again, "Yeah, but I don't usually hear adults calling it that..."
"Well, Sean, you're in the United States now. I'm sure you'll notice all sorts of odd things... Just ask if it puzzles you," Jake said. "And laugh if you feel like it."
"Yes, Sir. I will" Sean replied.
"I guess we ought to go inside and fill up the dogs' bowls with their supper," Jake said.
Sean was reluctant to leave the dogs after they were fed. He felt like he wanted their company. Jake washed the doggie bowls and left fresh water for them. Then he brought the dogs in and sequestered them in the kitchen-dining area, where they stayed when Josh and Craig weren't feeding or playing with them.
Craig would feed them again tomorrow morning, before he took Dillon to the sitter's house, and went on to work himself."
Back at the house..."Alright, Sean, now for room assignments," Craig joked. "How about we give you the empty bedroom; so you won't have to deal with Dillon if he wakes up in the middle of the night."
"Really, Sir, I like being with Dillon. And I wouldn't mind if he wakes up and needs to be picked up..."
"Well, I'll make allowance for the fact that you've never had a little kid around; so if you wanna move into the empty bedroom tomorrow night, feel free. We don't charge any more for those accommodations," Jake kidded.
"No. Really, Sir. If Dillon needs attention in the middle of the night, I don't mind picking him up and talking with him..."
"Well, he sometimes has bad dreams and wakes up frightened and crying. You'd have to pick him up and hold him and maybe rock him back to sleep. You'll see we have a big rocking chair in his room just for that purpose," Craig clarified for Sean, not wanting him to be misled into thinking that sleeping in Dillon's room would be without any interruptions..."
Craig looked over at Jake and only with his eyes asked him the unspoken question of whether involving Sean would be a good idea.
Jake nodded and spoke, "I think Sean would be just what Dillon needs. Especially since Sean doesn't seem to mind..."
"Well, it's fine with me," Craig answered... Then he turned to Sean, "Do you have any clothes in your carry-on bag? I suspect that you have only what you're wearing... Am I right?"
"Yes, Sir." Sean replied feeling somewhat embarrassed at being so helpless about taking care of himself.
"Oh, we can deal with that," Jake said. "Why don't you take your shower now, Sean. Throw your clothes out into the hallway, and we'll wash and dry them this evening. They'll be fresh and clean for you to wear in a couple of hours."
Craig went on, "Yep. And I'll dig up some jogging pants and a tee-shirt for you to use until your own things are clean again... You can sleep in the stuff I give you too... And tomorrow, we'll stop at Target and pick-up a few other things for you to wear."
"Craig, Jake, you are both so kind. I'll repay you when my dad comes with my money... Oh, and Craig, I still have some of the money that Hugo gave to me; so I can help buy clothes tomorrow... I don't want to be a bother..." Sean said.
"Oh, Sean, anybody who volunteers to sleep in Dillon's room and get up with him if he has a bad dream as EARNED those new clothes... Don't worry, Sean..." Craig answered.
The logistics settled, Craig, Jake, and Sean fixed supper, and they sat around the table in the kitchen while Sean told them all about his experiences with the terrorists, escaping from his flight, and a lot about Kevin and Hugo and the boys, and his new friend Artie, and his new dads in Ireland.
It was quite late when Jake said, "Babe, I hate to end this fascinating conversation, but I REALLY HAVE to get to bed because five a.m. comes very early, and I know that you've got a full day tomorrow too... Remember, it's your turn to feed the dogs over at Kev's house tomorrow morning."
Sean, feeling at home and very comfortable with Craig and Jake spoke up, "May I come with you tomorrow to feed the dogs?" he asked.
"Sure, I'd appreciate the help... Even if you could just watch Dillon while we're over there, THAT would be an enormous help."
"Yes. Sir... Thank you, Sir." Sean said with a genuine smile on his face... This boy lost no time finding a place in this wonderful new family he was visiting. And they welcomed him in every way possible.
Everyone was sound asleep. Jake and Craig were wrapped around one another in their bed just like pretzels, while Sean was sawing wood in the little Junior bed in Dillon's room. It had low wooden sides and was right across the room from the crib where Dillon slept.
Dillon was really just as happy to sleep anywhere that he fell asleep, but the crib seemed convenient tonight. A dim light radiated from the little colorful, plastic panochio puppet that was plugged into a receptacle on the wall.
The night moved by peacefully until Sean became aware of low sounds of crying. He woke immediately and sat up in his bed. Dillon was sitting in his crib crying and holding out his arms in Sean's direction.
"Oh, Dillon! What's the matter, mate?" Sean asked as he jumped up and went to Dillon immediately.
"Dillon just looked into Sean's eyes, continued to hold up his arms begging to be embraced, and cried huge gushes of tears, as though his heart were breaking..
"OH, Dillon, boy... You're alright. What's the matter? Did you have a bad dream, mate?" Sean said as he hoisted Dillon out of bed.
Now picking up Dillon was not exactly like lifting up Spirit. Nope. Dillon was MUCH heavier and on top of that, Sean felt a very sloppy wet, drippy pajama bottom on him as well.
"OH, Dillon! You peed in your pants... We gotta get you dry too... And with no concern for his own need to be dry, Sean gathered Sean to his chest, patted him on his wet bottom, and rocked him in his arms.
In a minute, Dillon quieted and began sucking his thumb.
"Oh, so you likes the thumb? Eh?" Sean said in a low voice. "Well, how about let's get some dry pants now; so you'll feel more like sleeping... Okay?"
Dillon had his penetrating eyes glued to Sean, watching his expressions and listening to him speak with such a soothing voice. Dillon sucked noisly on his thumb and never took his eyes off of Sean for a moment.
Before long, Sean had removed the wet clothes and found something dry to put on Dillon in their place.
Sean then went to the kitchen, carrying Dillon on his shoulders with Dillon's legs around his neck and fixed Dillon a glass of warm milk, and then they both returned to Dillon's room. The two of them rocked in the rocking chair while Dillon drank a few sips of the milk...
Sean held Dillon in his lap close to his chest, and together they became drowsy listening to each other's hearts beat...
Dillon was completely calm and peaceful, and Sean gave him a kiss on the top of his head and continued to rock them both gently... And finally Dillon fell asleep.
Realizing that Dillon was safe and peaceful once again, Sean relaxed and fell asleep in the rocking chair himself, waking only when his left arm that Dillon leaned on went limp and tingled...
Since the crib was full of wet bed covers, Sean placed Dillon in the little bed that he had been sleeping in. Then Sean climbed into the bed himself and cuddled like spoons with Dillon.
And very quickly Sean was sound asleep too...
And Sean dreamed...
Everything was in slow motion. Sean watched a machine shooting tennis balls across the net. He slugged them back across the net with a mighty swing but the balls moved very, very slowly as they soared up into the sky.
"Teriffic, Sean. You're a born tennis player!" someone said, and that made Sean feel very good.
Then he was aware that Artie was sitting right next to him crying. "Artie, what's the matter?" Sean asked.
"You are so handsome, and I'm so hideous. No one will want to be my friend when they could be yours..." and Artie buried his face in his hands and continued to cry.
"Oh, Artie. It's not important how you look. Everyone knows that you're the best and friendliest person in the world. Please don't cry. I love you, Artie. Will you be MY friend? Please don't cry..."
The next thing Sean realized was that Hugo stood very close to him, in the tight space afforded by the tiny lavatory on the airplane. "Sean, what are you doing?" Hugo asked
Sean said, "You are being stupid, Hugo. Those men will kill us. I've got to get out of here..."
And Hugo handed Sean his cell phone and his money... And Sean ran...
Sean ran and ran and ran... His heart beat faster and faster...Terrified Sean ran out of the airplane and down the ramp and into the terminal... "What am I going to do?" Sean thought, his heart still racing.
Then Craig appeared standing before Sean wearing his ridiculous, crumpled, black top hat with the red velvet trim... "And do you be Spirit?" he asked.
"No my dog is Spirit." Sean answered. "And why are you wearing that dumb looking hat?"
"Because I'm looking for a boy named Spirit," Craig said...
"Oh, well that's me too... My dad called me Spirit so I won't be found by the men who want to kill me..."
"I'm Craig. I've come to take you to my home in the United States where you'll be safe. We want you to stay with our son Dillon; he needs a big brother to love him... and you may help us take care of the dogs too, if you wouldn't mind." Craig said.
"Oh, that would be wonderful, Sir." Sean answered
And Craig took Sean's hand and led him off toward a waiting airplane...
"Sean, Sean, you feel like getting up?" Craig asked as he stood over Sean's little bed.
Craig was holding Dillon who said, "I want to hold "Sawn". And without warning, Dillon made a dive from Craig's arms to the bed where Sean was sleeping. Craig held on to Dillon's legs, but the top part of Dillon landed on Sean's shoulder, and Sean jumped, startled... His eyes were wide and his mind raced to make sense of where he was and what was going on....
Then he broke into a big grin. "Dillon! YOU TURKEY... You scared me to death... Come here and give me a hug..." And he took Dillon from Craig completely, turned him right-side up, patted him on the bottom, and gave him a BIG bear hug and a very noisy, wet kiss on his check!
"Yuck!" Dillon retorted as he rubbed his face...
"Sorry to disturb you, Sean, but we need to get moving. If you want to go over to Kevin's place to help me with Dillon and the dogs, I could sure use it... But if you want to sleep in, I understand..."
"Oh, No, Sir." Sean said throwing his legs out of bed as he spoke. "I really want to go with you... And help deal with this TURKEY~!" And Sean gave Dillon yet another loud, messy kiss that made Dillon squeal with delight.
"Great." Craig replied.
"I'll leave you to get dressed. There's some breakfast for you on the table in the kitchen, if you feel like eating eggs and toast. And I'll get Dillon dressed to go to the sitter."
"Can I keep Dillon?" Sean asked. "I mean, I can do what a sitter does..."
"Well, that would be wonderful. And we sure need to talk about that, but this morning I think we ought to go on to the sitter, because I need for you to go with me to the Flower Mart in San Diego and load up a ton of fresh flowers and supplies for the store. I have three weddings this weekend... Of course I'll pay you, because it's really work, Sean."
"Oh, Sir. I don't mind. You don't need to pay me...," Sean said.
"Why don't you wait until you see how much we'll be doing today. THEN you won't be so ready to do it all for nothing..." Craig smiled. "Nope. It's for PAY, Sean..." And he took Dillon from Sean and let the boy go get his breakfast...
"I wanna go 'Sawn", Dillon complained.
"Oh, alright. Just stay out of his way so he can get dressed and eat." And with that, Craig put Dillon down to run around the house on his own...
"What a wonderful place to live," Sean thought. "There is so much going on..."
Craig and Sean pulled up in front of the Flower Mart in the Flower Shop's truck. Craig got out and Sean followed him into the mart. It was a huge building, a metal warehouse structure, but it was brightly lit by skylights in the roof that must have been 40 feet above the floor, and it was very clean.
Growers occupied small sections of the mart, displaying their flowers in an endless array of blazing colors.
Craig started explaining to Sean as they walked into the mart: "This weekend I have three weddings to supply with flowers. I have to decorate the churches and the reception halls and even provide bouquets for the brides and brides' maids." How about we walk through the mart first to survey what they have to offer today, then we'll go back and I'll purchase what I'll need. Then, if you can begin removing the bulk flowers to the truck as I pay for them, we can do the shopping in record time..." Craig said.
Craig was totally consumed with thoughts of his work. So much so that he didn't even think about what an enormous amount of material he was needing to have moved to the truck.
"Oh, Sean," Craig said when the magnitude of the task hit him..."I'll have to help you to move all this stuff. I forgot how much there would be..."
"They're beautiful, Sir," Sean said. "I like looking at them all, and they couldn't be very heavy... I mean, flowers might take up a lot of space, but they couldn't be very heavy..."
"True, but work is work, kiddo... I'll help you after I get finished buying everything... Then we can move the boxes together..."
"Sure, whatever you say..." Sean said as he hurried along keeping up with Craig.
It took over an hour to buy and identify the needed blooms and then nearly another hour to get everything in the truck.
Finally, when they had all of the flowers loaded, Craig and Sean both climbed back into the truck.
"Do you mind helping me get these flowers into the shop refrigerator before we stop for lunch? I don't want to run the risk of loosing any of them because I failed to keep them cool until we use them..."
"Oh, no, Sir. I'm doing just fine. I can wait a while before we eat," Sean Said.
"Great. I appreciate your being so helpful, Sean... I find myself thinking how nice it would be if I could have you working with me all the time. YOU are a super help..." Craig said.
"How are you going to get these things to the churches?" Sean asked...
"Uh??" Craig replied... "I really hadn't thought about that yet..."
"Well, I'd like to help you, if you don't have a better helper..." Sean said.
"Goodness, Sean. You're like a gift from heaven. I'd really love it if you feel like you want to help me. Of course, I'll pay you... Humm? How about $12 an hour? Would that be enough?"
"Oh, Sir. That sounds like a lot to me. Anything would be good. I'd like to learn how to make the decorations too," Sean said.
Craig turned to Sean and replied in surprise: "You've got to be kidding me! You want to learn how to do the floral work TOO? Sure, I really could use an assistant. How about we put these things in the refrigerator, then go out for some lunch. When we're finished eating, then I can show you to how to build and store the decorations for each event."
Five p.m. rolled around before they realized it, and it was time to get Dillon from the baby sitter.
"Come on, Sean. Let's go get Dillon. We can finish these flowers tomorrow," Craig said.
"Alright, Craig. I'll be ready to go when you are..." Sean answered.
And in no time they were on their way to the sitter's house.
Dillon saw them coming and ran to the door yelling. I want "Sawn."
"Hi there, little man. Come over here." Sean called to Dillon when they entered the sitter's house.
Dillon ran to Sean and jumped on him, throwing his arms around Sean's shoulders after Sean had stooped down to greet Dillon.
"You wanna eat?" Dillon asked Sean.
"Well, now that you ask me, Dillon, I think I do..." Sean replied.
"How about we drive back home and pick up Jake, and if he hasn't started supper, we can all go out to eat at Coco's..." Craig said.
And off they sped with Dillon strapped in his car seat babbling to "Sawn" an endless and incomprehensible stream of communications.
Sean turned to Craig and asked, "Do you understand what he's saying?"
"Oh, he's always talking about one thing or another, but I'm not always so sure what it is... He's lots more understandable now than just a few weeks ago though. He picks up everything so fast," Craig said.
"I like being around a little kid. It's fun, and I don't feel so much like the baby," Sean said laughing.
"Oh, my goodness, Sean. You are definitely NOT a baby. You are quite the opposite... I mean, you ought to enjoy your youthfulness without thinking there's anything wrong with being young. I sure think you are at a wonderful age..."
Sean said, "Oh, Thank you, Sir. But I still enjoy being around little kids."
"Great!" Craig replied.
As Craig approached the house he said, "Oh, good; see Jake's car is here; so he's home. Why don't you just stay in the car with Dillon while I run in and get Jake... Would you mind, Sean?"
"Sure. Dillon and I will "talk", and Sean laughed when he said "talk."
Only a minute or two later both men, Jake and Craig, ran out of the house and climbed into the car.
"Hi, Sean. Hi, Dillon. How are you guys doin?" Jake asked.
"Hi, Jake. We're doing great... I even think I understand a little of what Dillon is telling me... He pointed up to the front of the car and said 'Turn on the radio...' I think..." He knows what he wants to say. His pronunciation is just a little garbled. But the longer I'm around him, the better I get at realizing what he's saying."
"You're better than I am." Jake replied. "Sometime I have no idea what he's talking about, even when he goes on and on about it..."
"Yeah! Well I'm sure not perfect, but I like the challenge of trying to figure out what he's saying..."
"Okay." Craig interrupted. "You guys have any special requests? Mexican food? Chinese? Sit-down dinner like at Coco's?"
"Jake said, I'm good for any of those... You like Chinese food, Sean?"
Sean replied, "Sir, I haven't ever eaten at a Chinese restaurant."
"Oh, good. Then there's no time like the present. We'll order several dishes and give you a share of each one; so you can decide what you like and don't like..." Jake said.
"That would be good with me, Sir." Sean said.
Craig said, "That's it then; Chinese food at the Golden Pagoda... right?" And he turned to look at Jake.
"Sure, sounds okay to me." Jake answered.
And the car drove off in the direction of the Golden Pagoda...
"Sean," Jake said turning around to face Sean in the back seat next to Dillon. "I got emails from your dad, Max, earlier this afternoon. He asked me to tell you that he would see you Sunday. He and his friend, Brandy, are coming to Los Angeles, and they'er bringing Spirit with them. Seems the puppy is from Alaska and has papers and inoculations that are good in the US; so the dog can come in without having to go through any quarantine period. And your dad also said that there's a serious problem with your friend, Artie; so they're bringing him to the Los Angeles burn hospital, where he recovered a while ago."
"Oh, no..." Sean said, seeming alarmed about Artie needing to come to the burn center. "I wonder why he needs to go back to the hospital. I hope he'll be alright..."
Jake continued: "The other guys, Kevin and Hugo and Jilder and Nicky, are coming home Sunday too!" Jake continued. The seminars will be over on Friday; so they'll fly directly from Heidelberg-- or Frankfurt-- back to Los Angeles with Max and Brandy and Artie."
"Yeah! I'll be really happy to see everybody. I've really missed them," Sean said.
Craig replied, "I'm sure you have... they've become your family, I'd expect..."
"Oh, yes, Sir. I really spent all of my time with Murph, Nicky, Jilder and Artie. We're kinda like brothers, I guess..." Sean said.
Then Sean thought for a moment before continuing, "Did my dad say what is wrong with Artie? You know, Artie got in a car accident and nearly died. He is burned all over, and he really suffers cause he can't sweat and his skin doesn't work like it used to..."
"Oh, my God!" Jake said, realizing how profoundly injured this boy, Artie, must be. "The hospital where I work sends it's really badly injured patients up to Los Angeles to the burn hospital in the San Fernando valley. I bet that's were Max will be taking the boy."
"Yes, Sir." Sean replied. "I think that's where Artie said he stayed... some valley place, I remember..."
"So Craig, I think you will need to drive Kevin's SUV up to LAX to get him, Hugo, and the boys, and I'll drive this vehicle with Sean and Dillon to pick up Max and Brandy and Artie."
"What's LAX?" Sean asked.
"Oh, that's a code that people use as a short way to refer to the Los Angeles International Airport... We say, 'LAX.' for short..." Jake said.
"Oh." Sean acknowledged.
Jake continued to comment to Craig, "You know, Hon. I'd bet that the burn hospital will send an ambulance to the airport to get Artie. They often come to San Diego to pick up our patients too."
Craig went on with the speculation that Jake had begun, "If that's the case, then you'll need to go to the hospital with the ambulance to pick up Max, who I'd guess will ride with Artie in the ambulance."
"You're probably right," Jake replied. "Well, we're flexible.." Then he turned to speak to Sean, "Sean, I'll bet they'll let you ride in the Ambulance if you and Artie wanted you to."
"Oh, yes, Sir. I'd want to go with Artie if they'll let me. I think he'd feel better if I went along. He's become a good friend, and he has been helping to take care of Spirit too I know..."
"Well, Sunday will be a big day for everyone... Fortunately my weddings are all on Friday and Saturday... I'll be really busy this weekend..." Craig commented.
"Craig, will you still be wanting me to help you with the weddings?" Sean asked.
"Oh, you bet, Sean!" Craig said. "I'll be so busy that you will be indispensable. If you weren't here, I'd have to take Jake with me, which I'm sure he would just LOVE..."
"Groan," Jake said "Oh, THANK YOU, Sean..."
Craig and Sean laughed... "Don't worry, Sir. I'll help Craig as much as he needs." Sean volunteered.
"You are a blessing sent from God!" Jake replied relishing his happiness at being freed from his roll as flower man for Craig.
"Now, Jake... I didn't realize you were so averse to doing the flower routine..." Craig said.
"Oh, for YOU, Hon, I'd do most anything; so don't worry... But when I can have a weekend off, and I can play with Dillon, who would complain..."
"That was a very nice answer, Jake... Are you SURE you're telling the truth?" Craig chided Jake.
"Ohhhhhh! OF COURSE, HON..." Jake answered...
Sean laughed, "But I REALLY DO want to work with Craig on the weddings. He's going to teach me how to make the decorations... That ought to be be fun..."
"Isn't this kid unbelievable," Craig said to Jake. Then he reached back and patted Sean on the head-- or where ever it was that he could touch...
And with that, Craig pulled his arm back and turned the car into the parking lot next to the Golden Pagoda restaurant. "Okay. Everybody out!... Say, Sean, do you know how to use chop sticks?" Craig asked...
"WHAT kind of sticks?" Sean asked...
Jake spoke up, "Oh, You'll find out soon enough... And if you get tired of trying to eat with them, you can get forks and spoons here too..."
Dillon started yelling and flailing his arms when he saw everyone getting out of the car: "Sawn... Sawn.... I want Sawne!!!!"