Whiteout by Jonah
Those who have read my previous stories will need no introduction to Simon and Garret and their family. Those who haven't - why not? This is the latest in the series that began a couple of years back with "A Letter from America" and it fits in right after "Christmas in New England". If you haven't read the others, don't worry. It will stand on its own. It is a story of love - the real sort. Some of its characters are gay, though that doesn't matter. They are good people. They are not, however, real people. This is a work of fiction and every character is also a fiction - created by me, except for Garret, who was created by Jacob Lion, in the USA. I want to thank Jacob for permitting me to use his characters. This story is brought to you, free of charge, by Nifty. Nifty brings all these stories to you free of charge and he doesn't charge us authors either. The cost is borne by himself and our donations. To keep this site going please consider donating to Nifty at https://donate.nifty.org/
chapter 14
The following morning we were all up early. There was much to be done but my priority was to ring the Hospital and make sure that all was still in order for Alice's discharge. It was, and they anticipated saying goodbye to her at around eleven. I then borrowed Garret's car and took Ross to Cringleford to open up his own home. The 4x4 would be easier for Alice to get into and out of than my mini would be. Ross let us in and we immediately fired up the heating. It had been obeying its timer since nobody had stopped it, but we wanted it on "continuous" for the moment. I did the little bit of washing up that remained on the draining board and Ross went upstairs and made beds.
I checked the cupboards and fridge. As expected, a number of things had gone off and needed replacing. I made a note to shop on the way to the hospital.
Ten o' clock was now a memory so we set off for the hospital, calling in at the Tesco Express to buy groceries.
Up on the ward, Alice was sitting up and dressed, waiting for us. Ross picked up her bag and Doctor Woods popped in to say goodbye to Alice. The lady was using a walking frame to get about but the doctor vetoed that.
"We have to wheel you off the premises Alice," he told her. "Use that chair and Ross can carry your frame. You can use that when you get outside."
Alice, obediently sat in the chair that a very obliging porter had brought for her. He wheeled her through the corridors and right outside the main entrance. I had got the car as near as possible to that. The porter offered to wheel her to the car, since it was Alice, and provided we didn't tell anyone, but Alice would not hear of it. Have walking frame, will travel.
The journey back to Cringleford was uneventful and we soon got Alice settled in her favourite armchair. Ross imediately put on the kettle and it was tea and biscuits all round.
I had brought in chicken pies, mash and mushy peas, and soon had that heating while I made some parsley sauce (I might live in Norfolk but I was born a Londoner). We sat down to a meal that Alice pronounced superior to hospital food.
The meal being eaten Alice and I relaxed while Ross attended to the washing up.
"Why didn't you tell me you were gay?" Alice asked as soon as we were alone.
"Does it make a difference?" I asked.
"Of course it doesn't."
"Then why would I tell you?"
"You know Ross is?"
"Yes, he told us. He was afraid we might not want him around the other boys. Logic isn't his strongest suit."
"Have you and Garret got boys of your own then?"
"Three of them. Ten year olds. Good boys but life hasn't always been kind to them."
"That'll be why they're good boys. We have to live our lives."
"I'm mopping the kitchen floor Mum. Stay out of the kitchen till it's dry."
"Ross," I had to intervene.
"What?"
"What?.... To me?.... You'll be pinching the CO's bike next. What are things coming to?"
"I do beg your pardon Mr. Ito. You wished to speak to me?"
"I don't know that sarcasm is much of an improvement but your mother can stay out of the kitchen even after the floor has dried. Until she's finished getting herself well, the kitchen is your job."
"Oh come on Simon," Alice grumbled. "If I have to sit here and let Ross wait on me, I might as well still be in hospital."
"Which is exactly where you will be if you misbehave," I pointed out. "It won't hurt Ross to learn to look after you. Gradually you'll get to do more. You'll work it out between you, but don't be daft, or you'll be back where you started."
I stayed another hour, more to keep them company than for any other reason.
Back in Newton St Faith life had quickly got into its old groove. Garret was in the kitchen preparing an evening meal which, if not to bistro standards, was at least a passable attempt. The boys were upstairs in their room.
As soon as he heard me come in, Lloyd was down the stairs.
"Dad, we're going to have to do a lot of work on the railway before we can run the train again."
"Yes, I expected that. Has anything blown over?"
"No, the signals are all there, and the sheds are alright, but a lot of the track has shifted, and some hasn't got ballast under it. "
"Yes, it's been frozen and thawed. Ice makes things creep about a bit. We'll get it sorted."
"What if it snows some more?"
"It could do. It's Palm Sunday tomorrow and the Winter is just about over. You sometimes get snow in the Spring but I don't think we will."
No more we did. For all our Winter adventures, Winter always comes to an end. Spring was around the corner. Only time would tell what adventures that would bring for our little family.
The End