Fic: Catching Fire. Chapter 12/?: Extensions (This chapter PG-13, NC-17 overall)
Previous chapters: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Chapter 12: Extensions
1310, that afternoon.
“Hey, Bones.”
“Mmmf.”
“It’s one o’clock.”
“Gaaaah. No, it’s not.”
“Is, too.”
“Coffee …”
The bed jiggled as Jim stood up.
“How can you survive in the wild?”
“Guh. Just …”
“Coffee, coming right up. BRB.”
Leonard put a pillow over his head, and slept for five more minutes, until someone removed the pillow from his head and kissed the back of his neck.
“Sit up, Bones. I don’t know how to start an IV, so you’re gonna have to sit up and drink the damned coffee.”
Len sat up, and swung his feet off the edge of the bed.
“Holy crap. I feel like I ate a sandbox, and I didn’t even get blown up yesterday.” He accepted the coffee from Jim, and took a few sips. “But enough about me. You feeling okay?”
“Yeah, Bones. A few bumps and bruises. But I’m completely fine.”
Len nodded. “Okay. I think that’s actually starting to sink in. I’ll try to stop asking.”
“Good, ‘cause we’ve got four days off, and I have Plans for us.”
Len was certain he could actually hear the capital ‘P.’ “Oh, lord. Should I be worried?”
“Nah. Well, unless you don’t want to meet my family.”
“Meet your-Jim, are you ins-”
“Relax, Bones. I don’t mean like that. Or, maybe I do mean like that. I just mean, come over to the farm on Sunday, have a big meal with my mom and brother, and his family, and just hang out. After all, we’re heading to Georgia together soon, and it might be nice for them to see who I’m going with. It’s none of their business that we’re … whatever we are.”
“Oh. Sure. That sounds nice. Sorry I flipped.”
“I think I’m getting used to it. C’mon-let’s make some breakfast.”
Len and Jim decided pancakes were in order, even though it was early afternoon. Len whipped up the batter in under five minutes.
“Wow, that was fast. Where’d you learn that?” Jim asked.
“Oh, when Joss and I were in med school, we were so poor that we had pancakes for dinner almost every night.”
“Um. Sorry. Bad memories?”
“No. Things were great, then. Only this last year was bad. But his behavior does kind of … corrupt the good memories, I guess. But good pancakes are still good pancakes.”
Jim set the table while Len was at the stove with the griddle.
“You know what, Bones?”
“What, darlin’?”
“Not that any sane person should take advice from me about any kind of relationship, but, I think when we go to Georgia to pick up your stuff, you oughta talk to him.”
Len sighed, and scooped a batch of pancakes onto a plate, which he stuck in the oven. “I don’t know, Jim. I don’t really see what good it would do. I know some people believe in this thing called ‘closure,’ but I think from my end I got that already when I packed my bags in front of him-and her, actually-and left. That felt pretty god-damned closed.”
“Yeah, but …”
Len whipped his head around and looked through the pass-through to the dining area. “But what, Jim?” His words came out snappier than he meant them to, and he instantly felt ashamed.
“Never mind,” Jim said.
“Sorry,” Len said. “Really-I didn’t mean to snap. I do actually want to know what you think. I really do.”
Jim was silent for long enough that Len started to get worried.
“Jim?”
“Just thinking, Bones. I wanna get this right.”
“Oh. Okay,” Len said quietly, as he flipped the final batch of pancakes on the griddle.
“Okay. See, here’s the thing that I’m thinking about,” Jim said, finally, coming back into the kitchen and sitting on the counter. “Your ex is bi, and betrayed you by having an affair with a woman. And now you’ve gotten involved with me. Also with a gate that swings both ways. Plus a reputation for kind of being a slut. Which I think is pretty unfair, actually, but that’s beside the point. What I’m really getting at is, aren’t you worried … you know, about the same thing happening?”
Len turned the stove off, and moved the griddle off the hot burners, as he put the last batch of pancakes on the plate in the oven.
“Should I be? I mean, I’m open to things being … transparently open, is the best phrase, I guess. If that’s what you would want. But like I said before-Joss and Marie? That wasn’t part of our deal. He’d been having an affair with her-by which I mean, getting physically and emotionally involved with her, behind my back. Without any discussion about it. We’d both had other liaisons, short term, a couple times, that we’d discussed beforehand. But this was a year-long affair, that I knew nothing about until I did. Completely different.”
“Something you gotta know about me, Bones,” Jim said, looking him right in the eye. “I’m loyal like a dog.”
Len smiled. “I know. But I’m not your master. We’ll decide together what we are. What our rules are.”
“People see me as a rule-breaker. But Bones-for this? For you? I’m not.”
“I know, darlin’. And neither am I.”
Jim laughed out loud. “I wouldn’t think you’d be capable of breaking rules.”
“Uh, been to rural Georgia lately? Just by who I am, I break a big one right there. Plus, I’m not sure, but I think you just called me a stick-in-the-mud.”
“Dogs love sticks, though. And mud.”
Len snickered. “You know, the first day I was at the station, I made an analogy between you and a big friendly dog, and Cap’n Pike said something about how I made an image get stuck in his head of you running around drooling and humping people’s legs.”
“Just yours, Bones,” Jim said, hopping down from the counter and grabbing Len and rubbing his crotch on Leonard’s hip.
Len smacked him lightly. “Puppy! And if you lick me, I swear I’ll hit you with a rolled up newspaper.”
“Just gimme pancakes, and I’ll behave.”
Len took the platter of pancakes out of the oven, as well as the two plates he’d put in to warm, and put them on the table, between the butter and syrup Jim had already set out.
“Real good, Bones,” Jim said around a mouthful of pancakes.
“My dad’s recipe,” Leonard replied.
They chatted about this and that while they finished their pancakes. Jim told Len a story about an absurd rescue he’d taken part in, in which a highly intoxicated man had wound his equally intoxicated brother up in a roll of barbed wire as a prank, and once they were both sober, he realized his brother was well and thoroughly trapped. He also related a chilling tale of the dangers of methane-a farm accident where a man had passed out in a manure pit, and his cousin, who went in to rescue him, also passed out from lack of oxygen. Another relative, who understood what was going on, had to make the hard decision not to jump in himself. By the time the fire department arrived with their SCBA units, to pull the men out safely, one had died, and the other had suffered irrevocable brain damage.
“So,” Jim said, after they finished eating. “You’re coming with me to the farm on Sunday.”
Len nodded. “Yep.”
“That’s great, Bones. But I gotta warn you-I know I said it’s none of anyone’s business what we are to each other, but …”
“I imagine,” Len said, “your family will probably figure it out.”
Jim nodded. “Which kind of makes me think about it.”
Len tilted his head and squinted. “Think about what?”
“What are we, Bones?”
Len tilted his chair back on two legs, crossed his arms, and looked at Jim. “Well, that kinda depends, now, don’t it?”
“Depends on what?”
“Whether we think we’re the same thing.”
Jim got up, brought the coffee pot to the table, and refilled both their mugs. He returned the empty pot to the kitchen, and sat back down at the table. He fiddled with his mug, turning it around and around, and finally took a sip and set the mug down on the table.
“I meant it. What I said this morning,” Jim said.
“I did, too,” Leonard said quietly, not needing to ask what Jim meant.
“So that means we’re … what, exactly?”
Leonard put his chair back down on all four legs. “Well, now, there’s a thing, all right. There’s no good label, is there? ‘Boyfriend’ sounds juvenile. We don’t live together, and we haven’t made promises about forever.”
“But,” Jim said slowly, “we’re together. Right?”
Len smiled at him. “Yeah. I think that’s a good way to put it. We’re together, but we can’t exactly hang up a sign that says that, either.”
“Are you okay with my mom and my brother hearing that? I mean, that we’re together?”
“Sure, darlin’.”
“Okay. Good. ‘Cause like I said, they’ll figure it out in about ten minutes. If they haven’t figured it out already.”
“It’s fine, Jim. And now that we’ve got that out of our way, what’re we gonna do with what’s left of our Friday?” Len asked, picking dishes up off the table.
“I dunno. I’m so tired I don’t think I can do anything.”
“Well, Netflix will surely allow us to instantly watch any amount of total tripe, so how ‘bout we just settle down on Mrs. Petty’s ol’ Naugahyde sofa, here, and rot what’s left of our brains?”
~!~!~!~
Sunday, noon.
“Don’t be nervous, Bones,” Jim said.
“Seems to me I’m the one should be sayin’ that,” Leonard replied. “You’ve been gnawing on your fingernails all morning, and you’re gonna wear a hole in the legs of your jeans wiping your hands down them like that.”
“Yeah, okay, all right. It’s just, I’ve never brought anyone home before. So I’m nervous.”
“About what I’ll think, or what they’ll think?”
“Bones, they’re gonna love you. And maybe I’m biased, because they’re my family, but I think you’ll like them a lot too. It’s just that I don’t wanna deal with what they might say about what an excellent guy like you is doing with a guy like me.”
Leonard sighed. “That again? Now Jim, I thought I’d fucked all that nonsense outta you this morning.”
“Maybe we should go back to my place and try a little harder,” Jim suggested.
“Not if you want to be able to actually sit at the table with your family, sugar.”
“Oooh, Bones, you’re totally egging me on. But here we are. If we left now, someone would be sure to notice.”
“Well, it’ll have to keep, then. But I really don’t think they’re gonna say anything like that.”
The gravel from the driveway spat up underneath the car as Jim drove up the long, narrow driveway, to a nondescript-looking white house. There was a pickup truck in the open garage, and behind that was a minivan.
“Oh good; Sam’s here. You can meet the whole gang all at once.”
“Which is which, again, nephew-wise?” Len asked, as he got out of the car with the two pies he’d baked that morning.
“George is eight, and he’s like me; Peter is six, and he’s like Sam.”
“And their mother is just totally left out of the equation, somehow?”
Jim laughed. “Yeah, Aurora sometimes feels a little left out. But, actually, she’s quiet and smart like Sam, too, so there’s that.”
“So I take it George is loud and smart like you, then?”
“He’s loud and smart, all right,” Jim said.
Len sighed as they went up the stairs to the front door. “I would really like to know what it’s gonna take to convince you you’re actually smart. But that’s a discussion for another-”
The door was flung open, and Jim was instantly tackled by two small boys.
“Uncle Jim! Uncle Jim! We were waiting and waiting and waiting and now you’re here!”
“Hey, Peter and George! Or is it George and Peter?” Jim teased. “Yep, now we’re here. Guys, this is my good friend Leonard McCoy.”
“Howdy, boys. You’ve got a pretty cool uncle, you know.”
“I’ll say!” said Peter. “He knows a lotta stuff! Not just like my dad-not all about one thing. But about a lotta things.”
“What does your dad know about?” Len asked. Even though he knew Sam was a research biologist studying something about bovine diets, he was curious to hear a six-year-old’s perspective.
“What cows eat, and how much it makes them fart.”
“Ah. I bet he knows a lot about that.”
“What’s your job?” George asked. “Are you a firefighter too? You look strong enough to be one. But I bet Uncle Jim could still beat you in arm wrestling.”
“He certainly could. My job is being a paramedic. That means I take care of hurt and sick people when they first get hurt and sick, and take care of them in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.”
“Coooooool!” George said. “Have you ever seen guts? Or poked out eyes? Or bones sticking out? Or someone who got stabbed? Or-”
“All right, George,” Jim said. “We get the idea.”
“I’ll tell you some interesting stories, if it’s okay with your folks. But the answers to your questions are yes, no, yes, and yes.”
“Awesome! Does he have awesome stories, Uncle Jim?”
“Totally awesome,” Jim said seriously. “One time he took care of a guy whose hand got cut off. He took the guy and the hand to the hospital, and the doctors sewed it back on.”
“Whoa … they can do that?” George said. Peter just backed away, looking pale.
“Sometimes. I’ll tell you more later,” Len said.
“Where are all the grown-ups?” Jim asked.
“Everyone’s on the back porch. Grandma’s got the grill going. But we wanted to wait for you,” George said.
“Well, we better go out there, don’tcha think?” Jim said. “I can’t let you two hog Len up, now can I? C’mon, Bones.”
“Bones?” Peter said.
“That’s my nickname for Len. Something like what they used to call doctors in the Army or Navy, a long time ago.”
“Y’all better hope he doesn’t come up with nicknames for you. ‘Cause it’d likely be something like Toaster, or Suitcase.”
“You talk like a cowboy,” Peter said.
“I’m from Georgia,” Len replied, passing through the back door that Jim held open for them all.
“Are there cowboys in Georgia?” George asked.
“I don’t think so,” Len said.
“Jim!”
“Hey, Mom.” Jim bent down to hug the willowy woman who greeted them. “Everyone, this is Leonard McCoy. Bones, this is my mom, Winona, and Sam and-where’s Aurora?”
“She’s not feeling great-sends her apologies, but she really needed to stay home.”
“Well, shoot,” said Jim. “I hope she feels better soon. So anyhow, Bones-that’s almost everyone.”
“Nice to meet all of you. Call me Len.”
“Well, call me Win, please,” Jim’s mother said. “And what do you have there?”
“Oh-I made some peach pies this morning. Where should I set them down?”
“Right on the table, there. They look terrific-thank you.”
“They do look great,” Sam said. “And we make it easy-we all just use our plain old names,” Sam said. “We banned Jim from giving us any crazy nicknames years ago.”
“Well, don’t forget that your first name is actually George,” Jim said.
Win gestured to the porch furniture. “Have a seat, boys-no, not you, kids. You go out and run around-burn off some steam. I meant Jim and Len. We’ll eat in half an hour or so; I’ll call you. Now shoo!”
The spring-loaded screen door slammed itself shut as George and Peter ran out to the yard. Jim and Len sat next to each other on a cushioned wicker sofa.
“Sure you don’t want me to run around and burn off some steam too, Mom?” Jim asked.
“And abandon your friend to the likes of us? Now, Jim.”
“Seems pretty safe so far,” Len said.
“Jim tells me you’re the best paramedic he’s ever worked with,” Win said abruptly.
“Well, I aim to do my best,” Len said, suddenly discomfited.
“And he hits the bullseye, every time,” Jim said. “I mean, I don’t get to watch all that often, but word gets around, you know? Sulu and Gaila both said you’re tops at all the MVAs.”
“Do you think you’d ever go to medical school?” Sam asked. “I’ve heard a lot of paramedics do that eventually.”
Len took a few seconds to answer, and Jim held his breath, waiting to see what Len would say.
“Well, please don’t pass this along, but I already did. I didn’t apply for any residencies, though. So I can’t really practice.”
“Wow,” Sam said. “Is it too late, or can you still do a residency?”
“I could still do it. I’m considering it. I’ve just got … a few things to work out, first.”
“Like what?” Sam pressed.
“Geez, Sam; enough with the prying,” Jim said, though he was dying to hear the answer. It would keep, though. “Keep your research work at your lab, brainiac.”
“Time to flip the burgers. And Len, don’t worry, we got plenty of non-meat stuff too,” Win said.
“Thanks,” Len said. “Can I give you a hand?”
Len helped at the grill, rolling the corn while Win flipped the burgers.
“Just like Jim, I’m not one to beat around the bush. So my burning question,” Win said, as she closed the grill again, “is this. Do you feel the same way about him as he does about you?”
Len raised his eyebrows. “So, he told you we’re together?”
“Not in so many words, but I know. I started suspecting a little while ago, and then the way he asked if you could come today-that pushed me towards my conclusion. And seeing how he looks at you? That sealed it. But you haven’t answered my question-probably because I haven’t shut up long enough to let you.”
“Well, you can’t ever truly know what’s inside another person’s head. But my honest answer to you is ‘yes.’”
Win nodded slowly.
“Good,” she said. “Good. Jim … has trouble with connections. On the surface, he opens up to people really quickly-too quickly. But for the important things? He keeps all that tightly inside. He doesn’t trust people.”
“I know he doesn’t. And neither do I,” Len said. “But I trust him. And I’m pretty sure he trusts me, too.”
“He does,” Win said. “That was the first thing that tipped me off, actually-him saying something about if he ever got hurt on the job, he was glad you’d be there to look after him.”
Len scowled. “Let’s hope that never happens.” He decided not to mention the backdraft incident, figuring that Jim probably hadn’t said anything about it to his mother.
Win and Len simultaneously looked towards the porch as they heard Jim whooping. Somehow, Sam had gotten him in a clinch, and was rubbing his knuckles on Jim’s head, noogie-style.
“Bet you had your hands full,” Len said.
“Oh, I still do,” Win said. “I watch George and Peter after school. They’re just like those two, except closer in age and with the ages reversed. And, speak of the devil.”
George and Peter stumbled past the grill, carrying a large truck tire.
“Grandma, look what we found! Can we use it? Please? Pretty please?” George begged.
“Well, that depends on what for,” Win said.
“A tire swing,” George said. “We’ll just get Uncle Jim to go up that tree there-” George pointed at a towering oak- “and hang it off that big branch.”
“Oh lord,” Len said to himself, cringing at the height of the branch.
Win chuckled. “Your dad and uncle had a tire swing in that tree when they were kids. Though I don’t quite remember that branch being so high.”
“So can we?” Peter asked, chiming in.
“I don’t see why not, if Jim and your dad say it’s okay. But after lunch!” Win shouted after them, as the two boys tore up the steps to the porch.
Len and Win could hear the boys begging excitedly to Jim and Sam, who must have said yes, as the shrieks of joy were deafening, even heard from the grill.
“What you said a minute ago-about hoping that never happens?” Win said quietly.
“Uh huh?”
“I hate his job. I hated his father’s job, too-though I know you’ve heard that it wasn’t the job that got him, in the end.”
“I did hear about that. I’m sorry.”
Win shook her head. “It was so long ago, Len. But I think Jim hasn’t ever gotten past it.”
“No. But Win?” Len looked at her seriously. “I look out for him. I can’t save him from himself, on the job. But never doubt that I look out for him, however I can.”
Win reached over and squeezed Len’s shoulder. “Thank you.”
~!~!~!~
After lunch, Jim embarked on the tree-swing project with his nephews. Len was roped into the planning, which he was impressed to see that Jim did thoroughly. He had his nephews wrapped around his finger as he talked them through figuring out how much rope they’d need, and planning a way to suspend the tire from the rope so it wouldn’t tear through. Then they all piled into Jim’s car for a trip to the hardware store, and returned with their supplies.
“And now, Bones, comes the exciting part-that you won’t wanna watch,” Jim said. “C’mon, boys; help me drag the big ladder out of the barn.”
Len watched as the boys trooped along with Jim to the red barn that looked like something out of a children’s book. Jim obviously didn’t need their help, but knew exactly how to keep them engaged in the project. They exited the barn with a large extension ladder, with Jim in the middle carrying the entire weight of the thing, and Peter and George ‘helping’ at either end.
“Okay, now, boys; everyone needs to stay waaaaay back while I put this thing up.”
Jim laid the ladder out on the ground, and inspected its halyard, and the dogs that would lock in place to keep the fly of the ladder at the desired height when it was extended. He looked up at the tree branch, and then checked out a particular place on the ground. He laid the ladder out flat on the ground, with the foot right on the spot he’d been checking out.
“Hey, Bones, gimme a hand here for a sec, will ya?”
Len trotted over to see what Jim needed.
“There’s no building, see, so I need you to be the building.”
“Uh, I have no idea what you’re talkin’ about, darlin’, so just tell me what to do. And you do know that there’s no way in hell I’m goin’ up that thing, right?”
“Of course, Bones. All I need is for you to step on that bottom rung to keep the foot of the ladder from sliding out when I raise it.”
“I think I can probably manage that,” Len said, following his instructions.
Len stood on the bottom rung with one foot as Jim smoothly raised the ladder straight upwards. When it was completely upright, they stood face to face, with the ladder between them.
“Hi,” Jim said, beaming at Len. He held the ladder steady.
“Hi yourself,” Len said back. “You’re tops on those kids’ lists, you know, for best playmate ever. Mine, too, for that matter.”
“And looky, we’re playing fireman together!” Jim said.
“Yeah, okay, but we’ll leave the parts with the hoses till later. What next?”
“Just hold onto the sides of the ladder-yeah, just like that-and keep your fingers out of the way as I raise it up.”
Len looked backwards over his head to see where the branch was.
“How will you know when you have it high enough?”
“I’ll know. Trust me. I’ve done this a time or two. Your fingers clear?”
“Yep.”
Jim raised the fly of the ladder, pulling down on the halyard several times, until it looked right.
“Okay, Bones. Now I’m gonna put my foot on the bottom rung, and you’re gonna walk backwards and let the ladder down onto the branch.”
“All right. Are you sure it’s gonna reach?”
“Yes, Bones; I’m completely and totally sure. Or do you wanna place a bet?”
“Well, with the kind of stakes I imagine you have in mind, I’m sure we’d both end up winning anyhow, so I’ll just take your word for it.”
“Good plan. You ready? Just walk your hands backwards, and I’ll steady the ladder.”
Len did as Jim asked, and after just a few steps backwards, the weight of the ladder was gone from his arms and resting instead on the tree. Len stepped back to where Jim was, and looked up at the branch. The top end of the ladder was resting perfectly on the branch, with a rung above the branch for safety.
“See?” Jim said smugly. He leaned in close to Len to whisper in his ear. “So I totally woulda won that blow job.”
“Well, you’ll probably be getting one anyhow, and so will I, so don’t sweat it, sugar.”
Jim stomped the foot of the ladder into the ground, and tied off the halyard. “Okay, Bones, so this is gonna be the part you don’t wanna watch.”
“Maybe I’ll just help your mom with the dishes for a little while.”
“Good plan,” Jim said. “Okay, boys!” he shouted. “I’m ready for that rope. Come on over!”
Len disappeared inside the house, and found Winona at the kitchen sink with Sam.
“How can I help in here? ‘Cause frankly, I can’t stand to watch the ladder action. Can I rinse, or dry, or something?”
“Oh-sure, Len. Grab a dishtowel,” Win said. “You afraid of heights like me?”
“I don’t know about like you, but my knees start to quiver when I’m on a stepstool,” Len said.
“Jim would climb the Eiffel Tower if they’d allow him,” Sam said.
“Or even if they wouldn’t,” Win said. “He’d find a way to talk someone into letting him do it. Or, more likely, he’d just do it, and then charm his way out of trouble later.”
Len smiled. “That sounds about right. You know, my very first rescue call in Cedar Rapids nearly did me in-it was a kid who got hurt in a tree-house, and I had to go up there. But Jim helped me out, and didn’t make a big deal outta my being scared. I really appreciated that.”
“Huh,” said Sam. “I wondered what it was.”
Len frowned. “Wondered what what was?”
“Wondered what it was that got you to take him seriously. So many people just blow him off at first glance. I think it’s because he’s got this combination of too-off-the-wall and too-good-looking that nobody ever sticks around to find out more,” Sam said.
“I find it an oddly appealing combination,” Len admitted. “Especially once you see the smarts and the compassion hiding out under the first impressions. But don’t tell him I said so.”
Sam laughed. “Wouldn’t dream of it. That ego could already sink a battleship.”
“Well, as long as we’re boosting the egos of the Kirks, those are some mighty fine boys you’ve got, Sam. They’re sharp, and nice, and they seem real happy.”
“Thanks, Len. I’m a very lucky man.”
“Sorry I couldn’t meet Aurora. I hope she feels better soon.”
“Oh, from past experience, it shouldn’t be too much longer now,” Sam said, eyes twinkling.
Winona put the pot she was washing down on the counter.
“George Samuel Kirk Junior, do you have something you’d like to share with the class?”
“Yes, ma’am! Just that we’re hoping for a girl this time.”
Len wasn’t sure what to make of being pulled into the family hug, but he figured it was all related to how Jim didn’t have any concept of personal space. Jim would be thrilled when he heard the news-he obviously doted on his nephews, and would be ecstatic to be an uncle again, no matter what the gender of the child.
The Kirks settled down after a few minutes, and Len quietly dried dishes while Sam told his mother more about the pregnancy.
“So the baby’s due in … April?” Winona asked.
“Yep. Six months to go.”
The three finished the dishes, and returned to the back porch, just as Peter barreled through the door.
“Whoa, there, tiger! What’s the emergency?” Winona asked.
“Uncle Jim says could Len please help him with the ladder? That he’d do it himself but there’s no building, whatever that means.”
Len chuckled. “I still don’t have any idea what he means, either, but I can help him out.”
Len followed Peter back out to the tree, where a long, thick rope dangled from the branch. It was secured at the top by a very professional and safe-looking knot.
“Hey, Bones! Can you walk that ladder upright again for me?”
“Cause there’s no building, right?”
“Yup.”
“I still have no idea what you mean, but sure.”
They reversed the process they’d done before to set the ladder up, and Jim returned the ladder to the barn.
“Okay, boys. Remember what we were gonna do next?”
“Yeah!”
Len looked on fondly as Jim coached his nephews through the rest of the swing set-up process. Jim allowed them to do as much as they could on their own. In another fifteen minutes, the swing was ready to go.
“Okay, Uncle Jim-let ‘er rip!” George said.
Jim took a running leap at the swing, and tested its soundness until his nephews’ protests that it was safe for them to try finally had an effect.
The boys-minus Jim, who was dragged onto the porch by Len-played on the swing for the rest of the afternoon. The adults sat on the porch, chatting about this and that. Sam shared his news with Jim, who was as delighted as Len expected he’d be. As the day grew tired, and afternoon started fading into evening, Sam put his hands on his knees and stood up.
“Well, I should get the boys home,” he said. “I promised Aurora I’d have them and a pizza home in time for a school-night supper.
“C’mon, Bones; let’s go get the kids.”
A few minutes later, Jim marched through the porch door with George over his shoulders in a fireman’s carry, and Len came through with Peter in a more conventional piggy-back carry.
“Why don’t you keep going, right out to the car,” Sam suggested, relieved that there didn’t seem to be a battle ensuing about their departure.
“Will you come here with Uncle Jim again?” George asked.
“I sure hope so,” Len said.
“Good. Cause you’re almost as fun as him.”
“Almost, huh?” Len said, smiling. “See you kids next time.”
On the other side of the car, Sam said something to Jim, but Len couldn’t hear what it was.
“You got that right, Sam. And I won’t. See you soon. Drive safely.”
Jim moved away from the car and joined Len, putting his arm around his shoulders. They watched as Sam’s car went down the driveway. Two quick beeps sounded at the end, as the car turned onto the road.
“What’d he say to you, just then?” Len asked. “That he was right about, and that you wouldn’t?”
“That you’re a keeper, and that I’d better not eff this up.”
“Oh. Well, I’m glad he approves. I liked him, too. And your mom. A lot. Straightforward, no games.”
“Neither of them puts up with bullshit, I can tell you that,” Jim said. “And I’m really glad you liked them.”
“So what now?” Len asked. “Do we hang out with your mom, or take off? Either way is fine with me.”
“We go in for a little while, but take off soon. She’s gotta be up early tomorrow. Farm stuff.”
“Okay.” They entered the house again, to find Winona once again in the kitchen.
“Mom, anything we can help with before we head out?”
“I don’t think so, Jim. Can you two make it next Sunday?”
Jim looked at Len, who nodded.
“Don’t see why not,” Jim said. “But the next weekend, we’ll be off starting Sunday, and that’s when we’re heading down to Georgia.”
“All right,” Winona said. “So next Sunday it is. Have a safe week-you two watch out for each other, all right?”
“We will, Mom.”
“Thanks again, Win. It was a great afternoon. We’ll see you next week.”
Winona hugged and kissed Jim, and then, to his surprise, Len. The two men left the house, and started the short drive to Jim’s house. Jim beeped the horn twice at the end of the driveway, which Len gathered was a tradition.
“So? What’d you think?” Jim asked.
“Everyone’s terrific, Jim. And I loved seeing you with the boys. They completely worship you, you know.”
“Well, can I help it if I’m the awesomest uncle on the planet?”
“Apparently not,” Len said. “And ‘awesomest’ isn’t a word.”
“Well, I just said it. So if it’s not a word, then what is it? A toilet plunger? An ostrich egg? A barrel of whiskey?”
Len rolled his eyes. “You know, I think my eye-rolling muscles have doubled in size since getting together with you.”
“Well … my Scrabble game has improved.”
They drove for a little while, and Jim turned onto the street his place was on.
“And Bones?” Jim cleared his throat. “The other thing that’s happened is, I think, for the first time in my life, I really feel settled and happy.”
Len swallowed back a lump in his throat, and reached over and put his hand on the back of Jim’s neck.
“I’m glad, Jim. Love ya. And yeah, I’m happy too.”
Chapter 13
A/N: When a fire spreads outside the area where it started, the parts that are in previously fire-free areas are called extensions.
Chapter 12: Extensions
1310, that afternoon.
“Hey, Bones.”
“Mmmf.”
“It’s one o’clock.”
“Gaaaah. No, it’s not.”
“Is, too.”
“Coffee …”
The bed jiggled as Jim stood up.
“How can you survive in the wild?”
“Guh. Just …”
“Coffee, coming right up. BRB.”
Leonard put a pillow over his head, and slept for five more minutes, until someone removed the pillow from his head and kissed the back of his neck.
“Sit up, Bones. I don’t know how to start an IV, so you’re gonna have to sit up and drink the damned coffee.”
Len sat up, and swung his feet off the edge of the bed.
“Holy crap. I feel like I ate a sandbox, and I didn’t even get blown up yesterday.” He accepted the coffee from Jim, and took a few sips. “But enough about me. You feeling okay?”
“Yeah, Bones. A few bumps and bruises. But I’m completely fine.”
Len nodded. “Okay. I think that’s actually starting to sink in. I’ll try to stop asking.”
“Good, ‘cause we’ve got four days off, and I have Plans for us.”
Len was certain he could actually hear the capital ‘P.’ “Oh, lord. Should I be worried?”
“Nah. Well, unless you don’t want to meet my family.”
“Meet your-Jim, are you ins-”
“Relax, Bones. I don’t mean like that. Or, maybe I do mean like that. I just mean, come over to the farm on Sunday, have a big meal with my mom and brother, and his family, and just hang out. After all, we’re heading to Georgia together soon, and it might be nice for them to see who I’m going with. It’s none of their business that we’re … whatever we are.”
“Oh. Sure. That sounds nice. Sorry I flipped.”
“I think I’m getting used to it. C’mon-let’s make some breakfast.”
Len and Jim decided pancakes were in order, even though it was early afternoon. Len whipped up the batter in under five minutes.
“Wow, that was fast. Where’d you learn that?” Jim asked.
“Oh, when Joss and I were in med school, we were so poor that we had pancakes for dinner almost every night.”
“Um. Sorry. Bad memories?”
“No. Things were great, then. Only this last year was bad. But his behavior does kind of … corrupt the good memories, I guess. But good pancakes are still good pancakes.”
Jim set the table while Len was at the stove with the griddle.
“You know what, Bones?”
“What, darlin’?”
“Not that any sane person should take advice from me about any kind of relationship, but, I think when we go to Georgia to pick up your stuff, you oughta talk to him.”
Len sighed, and scooped a batch of pancakes onto a plate, which he stuck in the oven. “I don’t know, Jim. I don’t really see what good it would do. I know some people believe in this thing called ‘closure,’ but I think from my end I got that already when I packed my bags in front of him-and her, actually-and left. That felt pretty god-damned closed.”
“Yeah, but …”
Len whipped his head around and looked through the pass-through to the dining area. “But what, Jim?” His words came out snappier than he meant them to, and he instantly felt ashamed.
“Never mind,” Jim said.
“Sorry,” Len said. “Really-I didn’t mean to snap. I do actually want to know what you think. I really do.”
Jim was silent for long enough that Len started to get worried.
“Jim?”
“Just thinking, Bones. I wanna get this right.”
“Oh. Okay,” Len said quietly, as he flipped the final batch of pancakes on the griddle.
“Okay. See, here’s the thing that I’m thinking about,” Jim said, finally, coming back into the kitchen and sitting on the counter. “Your ex is bi, and betrayed you by having an affair with a woman. And now you’ve gotten involved with me. Also with a gate that swings both ways. Plus a reputation for kind of being a slut. Which I think is pretty unfair, actually, but that’s beside the point. What I’m really getting at is, aren’t you worried … you know, about the same thing happening?”
Len turned the stove off, and moved the griddle off the hot burners, as he put the last batch of pancakes on the plate in the oven.
“Should I be? I mean, I’m open to things being … transparently open, is the best phrase, I guess. If that’s what you would want. But like I said before-Joss and Marie? That wasn’t part of our deal. He’d been having an affair with her-by which I mean, getting physically and emotionally involved with her, behind my back. Without any discussion about it. We’d both had other liaisons, short term, a couple times, that we’d discussed beforehand. But this was a year-long affair, that I knew nothing about until I did. Completely different.”
“Something you gotta know about me, Bones,” Jim said, looking him right in the eye. “I’m loyal like a dog.”
Len smiled. “I know. But I’m not your master. We’ll decide together what we are. What our rules are.”
“People see me as a rule-breaker. But Bones-for this? For you? I’m not.”
“I know, darlin’. And neither am I.”
Jim laughed out loud. “I wouldn’t think you’d be capable of breaking rules.”
“Uh, been to rural Georgia lately? Just by who I am, I break a big one right there. Plus, I’m not sure, but I think you just called me a stick-in-the-mud.”
“Dogs love sticks, though. And mud.”
Len snickered. “You know, the first day I was at the station, I made an analogy between you and a big friendly dog, and Cap’n Pike said something about how I made an image get stuck in his head of you running around drooling and humping people’s legs.”
“Just yours, Bones,” Jim said, hopping down from the counter and grabbing Len and rubbing his crotch on Leonard’s hip.
Len smacked him lightly. “Puppy! And if you lick me, I swear I’ll hit you with a rolled up newspaper.”
“Just gimme pancakes, and I’ll behave.”
Len took the platter of pancakes out of the oven, as well as the two plates he’d put in to warm, and put them on the table, between the butter and syrup Jim had already set out.
“Real good, Bones,” Jim said around a mouthful of pancakes.
“My dad’s recipe,” Leonard replied.
They chatted about this and that while they finished their pancakes. Jim told Len a story about an absurd rescue he’d taken part in, in which a highly intoxicated man had wound his equally intoxicated brother up in a roll of barbed wire as a prank, and once they were both sober, he realized his brother was well and thoroughly trapped. He also related a chilling tale of the dangers of methane-a farm accident where a man had passed out in a manure pit, and his cousin, who went in to rescue him, also passed out from lack of oxygen. Another relative, who understood what was going on, had to make the hard decision not to jump in himself. By the time the fire department arrived with their SCBA units, to pull the men out safely, one had died, and the other had suffered irrevocable brain damage.
“So,” Jim said, after they finished eating. “You’re coming with me to the farm on Sunday.”
Len nodded. “Yep.”
“That’s great, Bones. But I gotta warn you-I know I said it’s none of anyone’s business what we are to each other, but …”
“I imagine,” Len said, “your family will probably figure it out.”
Jim nodded. “Which kind of makes me think about it.”
Len tilted his head and squinted. “Think about what?”
“What are we, Bones?”
Len tilted his chair back on two legs, crossed his arms, and looked at Jim. “Well, that kinda depends, now, don’t it?”
“Depends on what?”
“Whether we think we’re the same thing.”
Jim got up, brought the coffee pot to the table, and refilled both their mugs. He returned the empty pot to the kitchen, and sat back down at the table. He fiddled with his mug, turning it around and around, and finally took a sip and set the mug down on the table.
“I meant it. What I said this morning,” Jim said.
“I did, too,” Leonard said quietly, not needing to ask what Jim meant.
“So that means we’re … what, exactly?”
Leonard put his chair back down on all four legs. “Well, now, there’s a thing, all right. There’s no good label, is there? ‘Boyfriend’ sounds juvenile. We don’t live together, and we haven’t made promises about forever.”
“But,” Jim said slowly, “we’re together. Right?”
Len smiled at him. “Yeah. I think that’s a good way to put it. We’re together, but we can’t exactly hang up a sign that says that, either.”
“Are you okay with my mom and my brother hearing that? I mean, that we’re together?”
“Sure, darlin’.”
“Okay. Good. ‘Cause like I said, they’ll figure it out in about ten minutes. If they haven’t figured it out already.”
“It’s fine, Jim. And now that we’ve got that out of our way, what’re we gonna do with what’s left of our Friday?” Len asked, picking dishes up off the table.
“I dunno. I’m so tired I don’t think I can do anything.”
“Well, Netflix will surely allow us to instantly watch any amount of total tripe, so how ‘bout we just settle down on Mrs. Petty’s ol’ Naugahyde sofa, here, and rot what’s left of our brains?”
~!~!~!~
Sunday, noon.
“Don’t be nervous, Bones,” Jim said.
“Seems to me I’m the one should be sayin’ that,” Leonard replied. “You’ve been gnawing on your fingernails all morning, and you’re gonna wear a hole in the legs of your jeans wiping your hands down them like that.”
“Yeah, okay, all right. It’s just, I’ve never brought anyone home before. So I’m nervous.”
“About what I’ll think, or what they’ll think?”
“Bones, they’re gonna love you. And maybe I’m biased, because they’re my family, but I think you’ll like them a lot too. It’s just that I don’t wanna deal with what they might say about what an excellent guy like you is doing with a guy like me.”
Leonard sighed. “That again? Now Jim, I thought I’d fucked all that nonsense outta you this morning.”
“Maybe we should go back to my place and try a little harder,” Jim suggested.
“Not if you want to be able to actually sit at the table with your family, sugar.”
“Oooh, Bones, you’re totally egging me on. But here we are. If we left now, someone would be sure to notice.”
“Well, it’ll have to keep, then. But I really don’t think they’re gonna say anything like that.”
The gravel from the driveway spat up underneath the car as Jim drove up the long, narrow driveway, to a nondescript-looking white house. There was a pickup truck in the open garage, and behind that was a minivan.
“Oh good; Sam’s here. You can meet the whole gang all at once.”
“Which is which, again, nephew-wise?” Len asked, as he got out of the car with the two pies he’d baked that morning.
“George is eight, and he’s like me; Peter is six, and he’s like Sam.”
“And their mother is just totally left out of the equation, somehow?”
Jim laughed. “Yeah, Aurora sometimes feels a little left out. But, actually, she’s quiet and smart like Sam, too, so there’s that.”
“So I take it George is loud and smart like you, then?”
“He’s loud and smart, all right,” Jim said.
Len sighed as they went up the stairs to the front door. “I would really like to know what it’s gonna take to convince you you’re actually smart. But that’s a discussion for another-”
The door was flung open, and Jim was instantly tackled by two small boys.
“Uncle Jim! Uncle Jim! We were waiting and waiting and waiting and now you’re here!”
“Hey, Peter and George! Or is it George and Peter?” Jim teased. “Yep, now we’re here. Guys, this is my good friend Leonard McCoy.”
“Howdy, boys. You’ve got a pretty cool uncle, you know.”
“I’ll say!” said Peter. “He knows a lotta stuff! Not just like my dad-not all about one thing. But about a lotta things.”
“What does your dad know about?” Len asked. Even though he knew Sam was a research biologist studying something about bovine diets, he was curious to hear a six-year-old’s perspective.
“What cows eat, and how much it makes them fart.”
“Ah. I bet he knows a lot about that.”
“What’s your job?” George asked. “Are you a firefighter too? You look strong enough to be one. But I bet Uncle Jim could still beat you in arm wrestling.”
“He certainly could. My job is being a paramedic. That means I take care of hurt and sick people when they first get hurt and sick, and take care of them in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.”
“Coooooool!” George said. “Have you ever seen guts? Or poked out eyes? Or bones sticking out? Or someone who got stabbed? Or-”
“All right, George,” Jim said. “We get the idea.”
“I’ll tell you some interesting stories, if it’s okay with your folks. But the answers to your questions are yes, no, yes, and yes.”
“Awesome! Does he have awesome stories, Uncle Jim?”
“Totally awesome,” Jim said seriously. “One time he took care of a guy whose hand got cut off. He took the guy and the hand to the hospital, and the doctors sewed it back on.”
“Whoa … they can do that?” George said. Peter just backed away, looking pale.
“Sometimes. I’ll tell you more later,” Len said.
“Where are all the grown-ups?” Jim asked.
“Everyone’s on the back porch. Grandma’s got the grill going. But we wanted to wait for you,” George said.
“Well, we better go out there, don’tcha think?” Jim said. “I can’t let you two hog Len up, now can I? C’mon, Bones.”
“Bones?” Peter said.
“That’s my nickname for Len. Something like what they used to call doctors in the Army or Navy, a long time ago.”
“Y’all better hope he doesn’t come up with nicknames for you. ‘Cause it’d likely be something like Toaster, or Suitcase.”
“You talk like a cowboy,” Peter said.
“I’m from Georgia,” Len replied, passing through the back door that Jim held open for them all.
“Are there cowboys in Georgia?” George asked.
“I don’t think so,” Len said.
“Jim!”
“Hey, Mom.” Jim bent down to hug the willowy woman who greeted them. “Everyone, this is Leonard McCoy. Bones, this is my mom, Winona, and Sam and-where’s Aurora?”
“She’s not feeling great-sends her apologies, but she really needed to stay home.”
“Well, shoot,” said Jim. “I hope she feels better soon. So anyhow, Bones-that’s almost everyone.”
“Nice to meet all of you. Call me Len.”
“Well, call me Win, please,” Jim’s mother said. “And what do you have there?”
“Oh-I made some peach pies this morning. Where should I set them down?”
“Right on the table, there. They look terrific-thank you.”
“They do look great,” Sam said. “And we make it easy-we all just use our plain old names,” Sam said. “We banned Jim from giving us any crazy nicknames years ago.”
“Well, don’t forget that your first name is actually George,” Jim said.
Win gestured to the porch furniture. “Have a seat, boys-no, not you, kids. You go out and run around-burn off some steam. I meant Jim and Len. We’ll eat in half an hour or so; I’ll call you. Now shoo!”
The spring-loaded screen door slammed itself shut as George and Peter ran out to the yard. Jim and Len sat next to each other on a cushioned wicker sofa.
“Sure you don’t want me to run around and burn off some steam too, Mom?” Jim asked.
“And abandon your friend to the likes of us? Now, Jim.”
“Seems pretty safe so far,” Len said.
“Jim tells me you’re the best paramedic he’s ever worked with,” Win said abruptly.
“Well, I aim to do my best,” Len said, suddenly discomfited.
“And he hits the bullseye, every time,” Jim said. “I mean, I don’t get to watch all that often, but word gets around, you know? Sulu and Gaila both said you’re tops at all the MVAs.”
“Do you think you’d ever go to medical school?” Sam asked. “I’ve heard a lot of paramedics do that eventually.”
Len took a few seconds to answer, and Jim held his breath, waiting to see what Len would say.
“Well, please don’t pass this along, but I already did. I didn’t apply for any residencies, though. So I can’t really practice.”
“Wow,” Sam said. “Is it too late, or can you still do a residency?”
“I could still do it. I’m considering it. I’ve just got … a few things to work out, first.”
“Like what?” Sam pressed.
“Geez, Sam; enough with the prying,” Jim said, though he was dying to hear the answer. It would keep, though. “Keep your research work at your lab, brainiac.”
“Time to flip the burgers. And Len, don’t worry, we got plenty of non-meat stuff too,” Win said.
“Thanks,” Len said. “Can I give you a hand?”
Len helped at the grill, rolling the corn while Win flipped the burgers.
“Just like Jim, I’m not one to beat around the bush. So my burning question,” Win said, as she closed the grill again, “is this. Do you feel the same way about him as he does about you?”
Len raised his eyebrows. “So, he told you we’re together?”
“Not in so many words, but I know. I started suspecting a little while ago, and then the way he asked if you could come today-that pushed me towards my conclusion. And seeing how he looks at you? That sealed it. But you haven’t answered my question-probably because I haven’t shut up long enough to let you.”
“Well, you can’t ever truly know what’s inside another person’s head. But my honest answer to you is ‘yes.’”
Win nodded slowly.
“Good,” she said. “Good. Jim … has trouble with connections. On the surface, he opens up to people really quickly-too quickly. But for the important things? He keeps all that tightly inside. He doesn’t trust people.”
“I know he doesn’t. And neither do I,” Len said. “But I trust him. And I’m pretty sure he trusts me, too.”
“He does,” Win said. “That was the first thing that tipped me off, actually-him saying something about if he ever got hurt on the job, he was glad you’d be there to look after him.”
Len scowled. “Let’s hope that never happens.” He decided not to mention the backdraft incident, figuring that Jim probably hadn’t said anything about it to his mother.
Win and Len simultaneously looked towards the porch as they heard Jim whooping. Somehow, Sam had gotten him in a clinch, and was rubbing his knuckles on Jim’s head, noogie-style.
“Bet you had your hands full,” Len said.
“Oh, I still do,” Win said. “I watch George and Peter after school. They’re just like those two, except closer in age and with the ages reversed. And, speak of the devil.”
George and Peter stumbled past the grill, carrying a large truck tire.
“Grandma, look what we found! Can we use it? Please? Pretty please?” George begged.
“Well, that depends on what for,” Win said.
“A tire swing,” George said. “We’ll just get Uncle Jim to go up that tree there-” George pointed at a towering oak- “and hang it off that big branch.”
“Oh lord,” Len said to himself, cringing at the height of the branch.
Win chuckled. “Your dad and uncle had a tire swing in that tree when they were kids. Though I don’t quite remember that branch being so high.”
“So can we?” Peter asked, chiming in.
“I don’t see why not, if Jim and your dad say it’s okay. But after lunch!” Win shouted after them, as the two boys tore up the steps to the porch.
Len and Win could hear the boys begging excitedly to Jim and Sam, who must have said yes, as the shrieks of joy were deafening, even heard from the grill.
“What you said a minute ago-about hoping that never happens?” Win said quietly.
“Uh huh?”
“I hate his job. I hated his father’s job, too-though I know you’ve heard that it wasn’t the job that got him, in the end.”
“I did hear about that. I’m sorry.”
Win shook her head. “It was so long ago, Len. But I think Jim hasn’t ever gotten past it.”
“No. But Win?” Len looked at her seriously. “I look out for him. I can’t save him from himself, on the job. But never doubt that I look out for him, however I can.”
Win reached over and squeezed Len’s shoulder. “Thank you.”
~!~!~!~
After lunch, Jim embarked on the tree-swing project with his nephews. Len was roped into the planning, which he was impressed to see that Jim did thoroughly. He had his nephews wrapped around his finger as he talked them through figuring out how much rope they’d need, and planning a way to suspend the tire from the rope so it wouldn’t tear through. Then they all piled into Jim’s car for a trip to the hardware store, and returned with their supplies.
“And now, Bones, comes the exciting part-that you won’t wanna watch,” Jim said. “C’mon, boys; help me drag the big ladder out of the barn.”
Len watched as the boys trooped along with Jim to the red barn that looked like something out of a children’s book. Jim obviously didn’t need their help, but knew exactly how to keep them engaged in the project. They exited the barn with a large extension ladder, with Jim in the middle carrying the entire weight of the thing, and Peter and George ‘helping’ at either end.
“Okay, now, boys; everyone needs to stay waaaaay back while I put this thing up.”
Jim laid the ladder out on the ground, and inspected its halyard, and the dogs that would lock in place to keep the fly of the ladder at the desired height when it was extended. He looked up at the tree branch, and then checked out a particular place on the ground. He laid the ladder out flat on the ground, with the foot right on the spot he’d been checking out.
“Hey, Bones, gimme a hand here for a sec, will ya?”
Len trotted over to see what Jim needed.
“There’s no building, see, so I need you to be the building.”
“Uh, I have no idea what you’re talkin’ about, darlin’, so just tell me what to do. And you do know that there’s no way in hell I’m goin’ up that thing, right?”
“Of course, Bones. All I need is for you to step on that bottom rung to keep the foot of the ladder from sliding out when I raise it.”
“I think I can probably manage that,” Len said, following his instructions.
Len stood on the bottom rung with one foot as Jim smoothly raised the ladder straight upwards. When it was completely upright, they stood face to face, with the ladder between them.
“Hi,” Jim said, beaming at Len. He held the ladder steady.
“Hi yourself,” Len said back. “You’re tops on those kids’ lists, you know, for best playmate ever. Mine, too, for that matter.”
“And looky, we’re playing fireman together!” Jim said.
“Yeah, okay, but we’ll leave the parts with the hoses till later. What next?”
“Just hold onto the sides of the ladder-yeah, just like that-and keep your fingers out of the way as I raise it up.”
Len looked backwards over his head to see where the branch was.
“How will you know when you have it high enough?”
“I’ll know. Trust me. I’ve done this a time or two. Your fingers clear?”
“Yep.”
Jim raised the fly of the ladder, pulling down on the halyard several times, until it looked right.
“Okay, Bones. Now I’m gonna put my foot on the bottom rung, and you’re gonna walk backwards and let the ladder down onto the branch.”
“All right. Are you sure it’s gonna reach?”
“Yes, Bones; I’m completely and totally sure. Or do you wanna place a bet?”
“Well, with the kind of stakes I imagine you have in mind, I’m sure we’d both end up winning anyhow, so I’ll just take your word for it.”
“Good plan. You ready? Just walk your hands backwards, and I’ll steady the ladder.”
Len did as Jim asked, and after just a few steps backwards, the weight of the ladder was gone from his arms and resting instead on the tree. Len stepped back to where Jim was, and looked up at the branch. The top end of the ladder was resting perfectly on the branch, with a rung above the branch for safety.
“See?” Jim said smugly. He leaned in close to Len to whisper in his ear. “So I totally woulda won that blow job.”
“Well, you’ll probably be getting one anyhow, and so will I, so don’t sweat it, sugar.”
Jim stomped the foot of the ladder into the ground, and tied off the halyard. “Okay, Bones, so this is gonna be the part you don’t wanna watch.”
“Maybe I’ll just help your mom with the dishes for a little while.”
“Good plan,” Jim said. “Okay, boys!” he shouted. “I’m ready for that rope. Come on over!”
Len disappeared inside the house, and found Winona at the kitchen sink with Sam.
“How can I help in here? ‘Cause frankly, I can’t stand to watch the ladder action. Can I rinse, or dry, or something?”
“Oh-sure, Len. Grab a dishtowel,” Win said. “You afraid of heights like me?”
“I don’t know about like you, but my knees start to quiver when I’m on a stepstool,” Len said.
“Jim would climb the Eiffel Tower if they’d allow him,” Sam said.
“Or even if they wouldn’t,” Win said. “He’d find a way to talk someone into letting him do it. Or, more likely, he’d just do it, and then charm his way out of trouble later.”
Len smiled. “That sounds about right. You know, my very first rescue call in Cedar Rapids nearly did me in-it was a kid who got hurt in a tree-house, and I had to go up there. But Jim helped me out, and didn’t make a big deal outta my being scared. I really appreciated that.”
“Huh,” said Sam. “I wondered what it was.”
Len frowned. “Wondered what what was?”
“Wondered what it was that got you to take him seriously. So many people just blow him off at first glance. I think it’s because he’s got this combination of too-off-the-wall and too-good-looking that nobody ever sticks around to find out more,” Sam said.
“I find it an oddly appealing combination,” Len admitted. “Especially once you see the smarts and the compassion hiding out under the first impressions. But don’t tell him I said so.”
Sam laughed. “Wouldn’t dream of it. That ego could already sink a battleship.”
“Well, as long as we’re boosting the egos of the Kirks, those are some mighty fine boys you’ve got, Sam. They’re sharp, and nice, and they seem real happy.”
“Thanks, Len. I’m a very lucky man.”
“Sorry I couldn’t meet Aurora. I hope she feels better soon.”
“Oh, from past experience, it shouldn’t be too much longer now,” Sam said, eyes twinkling.
Winona put the pot she was washing down on the counter.
“George Samuel Kirk Junior, do you have something you’d like to share with the class?”
“Yes, ma’am! Just that we’re hoping for a girl this time.”
Len wasn’t sure what to make of being pulled into the family hug, but he figured it was all related to how Jim didn’t have any concept of personal space. Jim would be thrilled when he heard the news-he obviously doted on his nephews, and would be ecstatic to be an uncle again, no matter what the gender of the child.
The Kirks settled down after a few minutes, and Len quietly dried dishes while Sam told his mother more about the pregnancy.
“So the baby’s due in … April?” Winona asked.
“Yep. Six months to go.”
The three finished the dishes, and returned to the back porch, just as Peter barreled through the door.
“Whoa, there, tiger! What’s the emergency?” Winona asked.
“Uncle Jim says could Len please help him with the ladder? That he’d do it himself but there’s no building, whatever that means.”
Len chuckled. “I still don’t have any idea what he means, either, but I can help him out.”
Len followed Peter back out to the tree, where a long, thick rope dangled from the branch. It was secured at the top by a very professional and safe-looking knot.
“Hey, Bones! Can you walk that ladder upright again for me?”
“Cause there’s no building, right?”
“Yup.”
“I still have no idea what you mean, but sure.”
They reversed the process they’d done before to set the ladder up, and Jim returned the ladder to the barn.
“Okay, boys. Remember what we were gonna do next?”
“Yeah!”
Len looked on fondly as Jim coached his nephews through the rest of the swing set-up process. Jim allowed them to do as much as they could on their own. In another fifteen minutes, the swing was ready to go.
“Okay, Uncle Jim-let ‘er rip!” George said.
Jim took a running leap at the swing, and tested its soundness until his nephews’ protests that it was safe for them to try finally had an effect.
The boys-minus Jim, who was dragged onto the porch by Len-played on the swing for the rest of the afternoon. The adults sat on the porch, chatting about this and that. Sam shared his news with Jim, who was as delighted as Len expected he’d be. As the day grew tired, and afternoon started fading into evening, Sam put his hands on his knees and stood up.
“Well, I should get the boys home,” he said. “I promised Aurora I’d have them and a pizza home in time for a school-night supper.
“C’mon, Bones; let’s go get the kids.”
A few minutes later, Jim marched through the porch door with George over his shoulders in a fireman’s carry, and Len came through with Peter in a more conventional piggy-back carry.
“Why don’t you keep going, right out to the car,” Sam suggested, relieved that there didn’t seem to be a battle ensuing about their departure.
“Will you come here with Uncle Jim again?” George asked.
“I sure hope so,” Len said.
“Good. Cause you’re almost as fun as him.”
“Almost, huh?” Len said, smiling. “See you kids next time.”
On the other side of the car, Sam said something to Jim, but Len couldn’t hear what it was.
“You got that right, Sam. And I won’t. See you soon. Drive safely.”
Jim moved away from the car and joined Len, putting his arm around his shoulders. They watched as Sam’s car went down the driveway. Two quick beeps sounded at the end, as the car turned onto the road.
“What’d he say to you, just then?” Len asked. “That he was right about, and that you wouldn’t?”
“That you’re a keeper, and that I’d better not eff this up.”
“Oh. Well, I’m glad he approves. I liked him, too. And your mom. A lot. Straightforward, no games.”
“Neither of them puts up with bullshit, I can tell you that,” Jim said. “And I’m really glad you liked them.”
“So what now?” Len asked. “Do we hang out with your mom, or take off? Either way is fine with me.”
“We go in for a little while, but take off soon. She’s gotta be up early tomorrow. Farm stuff.”
“Okay.” They entered the house again, to find Winona once again in the kitchen.
“Mom, anything we can help with before we head out?”
“I don’t think so, Jim. Can you two make it next Sunday?”
Jim looked at Len, who nodded.
“Don’t see why not,” Jim said. “But the next weekend, we’ll be off starting Sunday, and that’s when we’re heading down to Georgia.”
“All right,” Winona said. “So next Sunday it is. Have a safe week-you two watch out for each other, all right?”
“We will, Mom.”
“Thanks again, Win. It was a great afternoon. We’ll see you next week.”
Winona hugged and kissed Jim, and then, to his surprise, Len. The two men left the house, and started the short drive to Jim’s house. Jim beeped the horn twice at the end of the driveway, which Len gathered was a tradition.
“So? What’d you think?” Jim asked.
“Everyone’s terrific, Jim. And I loved seeing you with the boys. They completely worship you, you know.”
“Well, can I help it if I’m the awesomest uncle on the planet?”
“Apparently not,” Len said. “And ‘awesomest’ isn’t a word.”
“Well, I just said it. So if it’s not a word, then what is it? A toilet plunger? An ostrich egg? A barrel of whiskey?”
Len rolled his eyes. “You know, I think my eye-rolling muscles have doubled in size since getting together with you.”
“Well … my Scrabble game has improved.”
They drove for a little while, and Jim turned onto the street his place was on.
“And Bones?” Jim cleared his throat. “The other thing that’s happened is, I think, for the first time in my life, I really feel settled and happy.”
Len swallowed back a lump in his throat, and reached over and put his hand on the back of Jim’s neck.
“I’m glad, Jim. Love ya. And yeah, I’m happy too.”
Chapter 13
A/N: When a fire spreads outside the area where it started, the parts that are in previously fire-free areas are called extensions.