Everlasting Love Chapter 15
NOTE: This is the fictional biographic love story as Macy Strickland and his friends make their way through different stages of their lives. All of the characters in this story are fictional and resemblance to any one person whether dead or alive is purely coincidental. Please, if you liked this chapter, share your feed back; I have a rough mental outline for how this goes but some extra details or inspiration along the way are always welcome. If you are offended by intimate male on male emotional and physical relationships, you really should be asking yourself why you are here in the first place. Lastly, please consider a financial donation to Nifty so they can maintain this awesome website.
Quite a bit was happening between the end of the beach trip and the start of our junior year at Towson High School. A few days after Mitch and I were back in Towson, I picked up my grandparents at Thurgood Marshall, the airport formerly known as Baltimore-Washington International or locally as BWI when they returned from Italy. With Cal and Rita's blessing, I started practicing with the soccer team and landed a varsity midfielder position whileLogan would be playing a varsity forward position.
Robbie Lawson was doing quite well with his lawn mowing business, essentially cutting two lawns a day sandwiched between two daily football practices five days a week at about $20 for each yard without any state or federal tax deductions. I have to hand it to Robbie, when it wouldn't rain for a few days, he would turn on lawn sprinklers for a few hours at his customers' homes to ensure their grass kept growing during the brief dry spells between the Old Line State's afternoon thunder storms.
On the other hand, Karen was a little pissed at me for ditching on the lifeguarding gig at Valleyview and thought I was half crazy for wanting to learn how to surf but just as school was about to start any bad feelings melted into the hot humid haze of the fading summer. She also confided in me that she wished Robbie played soccer instead so that they could have a little more time together rather than trying to find some free time between her lifeguarding schedule and Robbie's double dips of football practice and cutting lawns as August drew to a close.
With Cal back at work at Advanced Engineering, I was back to making the door sill rescue braces, in fact 21 more pairs to be exact, enough for each heavy rescue and ladder truck in Baltimore County to have a set. I quickly realized why Cal preferred making one or two of something and then moving on to another project or something new. I'm also willing to bet the materials and kid labor were some sort of a tax write-off in return for the in-kind donations to the county as well as the different volunteer fire companies in the county system.
Before the beach trip, Artie Hall floated a couple of options for getting the Defender 90 repainted. Option A was the purist's choice, someone who would want to take it back to its original Coniston Green with an Alpine White roof while option B was that since it is a salvage vehicle, I could really have it painted any color I wanted and aside from the purists, nobody was going to really care. I was leaning towards something blue and with Cal, we flipped through what seemed like a couple dozen shades of blue until it boiled down to an Oxford or an Arles blue. I paired the Arles Blue with Moon White; a bright white with just the faintest tint of blue blended in for the roof.
Next door at Hallmark Restorations the only vehicle left on the floor the week before Labor Day was the stripped down Land Rover that was just about ready for its final re-assembly. With guidance and support from Artie, Cal and I tested each component as we put her back together piece by piece. Aside from adding speaker wires and the related sound system components, there were only a couple of minor re-wiring issues to be addressed. We also upgraded the older headlight, turn signal, brake light and tail light assemblies with LED units and added a concealed battery switch to thwart any potential thievery.
Everything came together on Defender in the days leading up to the Labor Day weekend. Cal had ordered a sheet of the British-style diamond plate known as "chequer" plate and using the old chequer plate parts as templates, I was able to cut and form newer, shinier versions to reinforce heavy wear areas around the door sills, rear bumper steps as well as fabricate stone guards for the sheet metal just behind each wheel well. The re-bolstered and re-upholstered front seats and modified rear bench came back from one of Artie's vendors in a stately slate blue leather and were ready for installation when the moment was right.
In addition to the body and roof being sent out to Artie's preferred paint shop, the after-market roof rack system was sent to a different vendor to be powder coated in a matte black finish. We also ordered a matching ladder that would mount on the lefthand side of the rear of Defender so that a certain vertically-challenged newbie surfer would be able to access his board from the roof rack.
I know I'm definitely bragging a bit here but everything came together beautifully with just a couple of minor glitches along the way. All of the body, prep and paint work were done flawlessly and the main body went back into place fairly easily. Once the tub was bolted down to the frame it was relatively easy to re-install everything from the dashboard to the steering wheel to the gear shift lever. Aside from the paint choices, my next big Defender decision; with a nod of approval from Mr. Hall, was to reinforce the interior floorboards in the front and rear seating areas with the remaining chequer plate material.
Defender doors are rather notorious for suffering from corrosion and this one was no different. Under Artie's watchful eye, Cal and I disassembled them, removed the damaged or unusable parts so that the doors could be properly painted inside and out at Artie's shop. Once the paint cured we were able to reassemble the doors with upgraded components and install them onto the body with stronger stainless steel hinges and better latching mechanisms. The last major component to be installed was the roof. It too was reworked to eliminate leak-prone areas, re-insulated and had a new headliner installed. Once it was matched up and attached properly it was time for the moment of truth.
Cal had a five gallon jerry can of fresh diesel fuel and with a little help from a funnel, we added it to the little bit that was left over in the fuel tank which was necessary to check the engine after we installed it a month ago. Cal looked at Artie and then me as I climbed into the driver's seat, flipped the battery switch to ON , pushed the fuel primer button a few times and turned the key on to bring the gauges and dash lights up.
Lonnie and a few others from Advanced Engineering came over to watch and were waiting with great anticipation as I pushed in the clutch pedal, double checked to see if the shifter was in neutral and turned the key. It cranked longer than I expected before the diesel engine turned over with a belch of grey smoke before it idled like a purring cat as I released the key from the start position. I was practically purring too, and definitely glowing; Lonnie was taking pictures and others clapping. I did this, granted, I had a lot of help but I did this!
Artie was walking around the rebuilt Defender 90, inspecting and barking out commands like it was a pilot's pre-flight checklist, "check the brakes, now check the turn signals, now the headlights, now check the steering and release the parking brake."
I could see Lonnie, Cal and others smiling and talking but couldn't hear them over the idle of the diesel engine before Artie climbed into the passenger's seat and said, "let's go through the parking lot to see how she does."
Though I was suddenly a bundle of nerves, I moved the shift lever as far left as I could and then up until I felt it click into reverse before gently easing off the clutch. Defender rolled backwards slowly and out through the overhead roll-up door of Hallmark Restorations and into the sunlight she had not seen for almost two years. Lonnie and Cal followed us out as I worked through second, third and fourth gears in the large rear parking area as Artie warned me, "careful, this vehicle can't go on the road yet so stay in the lot."
I nodded as we came to a stop near the opposite end of the industrial park parking lot before Artie asked, "do you know how to downshift?"
"Double clutch from say fourth to third with a little pop on the accelerator in between just before moving the shifter into the next lowest gear," I said half confident and half seeking approval in case there was a different way to do it.
"You got it, Cal taught you well," Artie said, "let's head back to the shop; the hard part is done Macy and you did the lion's share of it. I think you should be able to finish up the cosmetic stuff in another afternoon or two."
"I hope so," I said, doing my best to work up through the gears and then properly downshift as we got back to the entrance.
Cal was waiting, "you mind if I give her a try?"
I looked at Artie who didn't have a care in the world then at Cal, "of course not, you made this all possible."
Cal took the driver's seat and I moved over to the passenger's seat where Artie had been sitting who was now out talking to Lonnie; probably about the Orioles current dismal standings in the American League East this season. With ease and a smile, Cal worked up and down through the gearbox and then just before we got close to the overhead door into Artie's shop his smile was gone as we rolled to a stop, "be careful with this Macy, Rita and I can't stand to lose another Strickland, there isn't enough insurance in the world to bring you back, do you understand me?"
"Loud and clear Cal, loud and clear," I responded.
With some last minute guidance from Lonnie, we properly posed Defender with the afternoon sun hitting her at just the right angle and I hammed it up for a couple more pictures which I promptly uploaded to my Instagram account. Not only was my Instagram full of pictures of the tear-down and rebuild of Defender, but essentially of my first Towson summer. Pictures of Mitch and I killing some doubles volleyball at the club or on the beach, pictures of Mitch around the firehouse, pictures from the beach and our cookout with everybody, pictures of Kieran and I surfing and even a selfie of Logan, Mitch and myself, all of us laughing at the moment of the collapse of another of our Jumbo Jenga towers.
Cal and I spent most of that Friday morning taking Defender for her Maryland state vehicle inspection and then to the Department of Motor Vehicles to have her properly titled, registered and officially street legal with temporary tags. A quick call to Cal's long time insurance agent and Defender was added to the Strickland fleet with me as the primary driver. By Cal's decree, the cost of fuel, maintenance, insurance and any more accessories were on me. On Friday afternoon with a little help from Lonnie, we bolted on the matte black rear ladder before Advanced Engineering closed up for the last long weekend of the summer.
I followed Cal's usual route home in Defender and parked it in the driveway as he pulled his Lexus SUV into the garage though with a little finagling, all three cars would fit into the double deep two-car garage. Rita came out and thought the Arles Blue and Moon White paint job was a sharp combination as she inspected the details of our summer project before Cal chimed in, "are you heading over to Mitch's?"
I smiled, "I'd like to unless something here needs to be done?"
Cal nodded no as Rita replied, "No sweetie, but just remember, this car doesn't change anything; your curfew is still midnight until school starts again."
"I know," as I gave Rita a quick hug and kiss and Cal a hug before going upstairs for a post-work shower and a wardrobe change into some khaki shorts, light blue tee shirt, an untucked blue striped oxford shirt and the preferred shoe of any self-respecting Maryland preppy, Sperry Topsiders.
Half an hour later I made the short trip up to the Humboldt house on Alston Road where Mitch had just pulled up with Robbie after the last of the two-a-day football practices had ended. Mitch was more up to speed on the progress but had yet to see Defender in the flesh as Robbie boomed out, "Dude, no way, it's finally finished?
"When Cal sets a schedule, he sticks to it, and back in June he was pretty confident about having this on the road by the start of school," I replied as I watched them open the doors and check everything inside and out.
Mitch pointed to the Delancey's Surf Shop decal I put in the lower part of the left rear window, "nice touch, Macy."
"I was going for subtle," I said with a slightly snarky tone before we noticed Karen walking up Alston Road from the pool at Valleyview.
Before Karen made it up to Mitch's house, Madeline, Mitch's sister and his parents were also outside inspecting the vehicle. Mitch's mom, Ali, short for Alicent, commented first, "It's kind of aggressive yet boxy looking but I love the color choices and the unique trim, it definitely captures you Macy; it's ruggedly handsome and well-appointed just like you."
I blushed a bit while I think my friends were laughing at Ali's comment with their inside voices. A few seconds later I managed to squeeze out, "Thanks Mrs. Humboldt; I really liked working on it and making some of those choices...do you all want to go for a ride?"
Jim looked at his wife and then Madeline, "sure, take us on a lap through Thornton Woods" as the Humboldts without Mitch tried to figure out who was going to sit where.
It should come as no surprise after what I had been through less than a year before; that as a teenager, I drive rather conservatively and even a fraction more so with the rest of Mitch's family on board. "This is a diesel?" Jim asked listening to the motor as I smoothly up and down shifted.
"Yes sir," I replied.
"I had no idea," he continued, "and you shift very well."
"Thanks, she originally had a big V-8 that was a gas guzzler," I explained, "Artie Hall recommended switching over to the 300 TDI and switching out the rear end for better performance and mileage."
Back at the Humboldt residence I rolled to a stop and killed the engine allowing them to dismount from the high-stanced SUV. While Madeline was walking around its perimeter Ali spoke up with her occasional parental tone, "you seem to drive very well; I hope, actually, all of us hope that you will be safe when Mitch is with you."
"I will do my best," I said, giving Ali quick hug and firm handshake to Mr. Humboldt.
"It's a really nice truck Macy," Madeline offered before checking to see if anybody else was lingering nearby before lowering her voice to almost a whisper and asking, "are you really Mitch's boyfriend now?"
Madeline's question blew me away but I did my best to answer, "I sure am."
"Good, cause you are pretty cool," she replied, "and don't worry, I won't tell anybody."
"Thanks Madeline, Mitch and I appreciate that," I replied as she ran inside to answer the ringing house telephone.
By now Robbie and Karen had left for Robbie's house to shower and change and probably make out as Mitch took a second, longer look at Defender noting with kind of a mumble, "Not much room to make out in that back seat."
"I know, I'm sure we will figure something out," I replied as I took in the sort of less than happy tone in his voice, "what's going on?"
The Mitch shrug; followed by, "I'm probably not going to be able play football this season."
"Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaat? After two weeks of two-a-day practices you're not going to play?" I asked; them a pause, "wait, did you get cut; you didn't make varsity?"
"No, no, no, nothing like that, final cuts aren't until next week anyhow," Mitch said in a more calming and confident voice before he continued, "remember I told you I was going to be taking the Maryland basic firefighting class this fall since it was being held at Lutherville's firehouse?"
My eyebrows scrunched up, "yes but I thought you weren't old enough?"
"You only have to be 16 to take the class, I'm old enough for that and I am an associate member in good standing at Lutherville," Mitch stated as he started laying the ground work, "that's what I need to qualify for one of the state or county volunteer firefighter scholarships; Maryland Basic and member in good standing."
"So what does this have to do with football," I asked, failing to mentally connect the dots and trying to remember exactly when Mitch said he was signing up for this firefighting class.
"Class is three hours every Thursday night with practical sessions every Saturday until just before Christmas," Mitch said explaining the schedule again to me that I somehow had kicked to my brain's curb, "there is no way I can do a Thursday practice, have my homework done and take the class at the firehouse; something has to give. And to be honest, football is not my favorite thing anyhow."
I nodded as I began to reconnect the dots in my head while Mitch continued, "you know this is what I want, right? I got to know that this is okay with you?"
"No, I mean yes, it's definitely okay with me. I know it's what you want, I'm not trying to stop you. It's just all of a sudden this is really happening now and I just wasn't mentally ready for it," I said, hoping I sounded more genuine than defensive, "and I know you are going to be great!"
"I haven't told Robbie yet," Mitch added kind of sheepishly; "he was the main reason I was doing football, just so we could hang together."
"You think we should we go find them, go talk about it over a Friday night pizza?" I offered as we walked into the Humboldt house through the back door leading to the kitchen.
"Might as well, try to see if you can pin down Robbie or Karen while I grab a shower and change. We can meet them wherever they want to go, they are probably headed over to Maria's anyhow," Mitch half hollered from the hallway leading to his room while I began texting both of them from the kitchen.
A few minutes later Mitch reappeared in the kitchen wearing khaki shorts, a maroon golf shirt embroidered with white thread and the Towson Generals lacrosse logo and a pair of Nikes. I smiled and wanted to plant a big kiss on him in front of his Mom but restrained myself as Ali reminded him, "Midnight young man, midnight," before he gave her a quick hug and kiss.
Once in Defender I reaffirmed myself to Mitch, "I'm really okay with your decision, I get it and I know it's one of your big life goals but damn....."
"Damn what?" Mitch asked.
"I was so hoping to see your cute butt in some tight fitting football pants," I replied.
Mitch shook his head, "Macy, this is the beginning of something I have wanted my whole life; I know it. I'm already digging the lead instructor we have."
"I got to admit, a great teacher makes for great learning, what's this guy got?" I asked hoping I was continuing to sound more supportive of Mitch's choice as I drove Defender towards Maria's.
""His name is Grimke, Deputy Chief John Grimke; he's got about 30 years with the Baltimore City Fire Department and the way Baltimore burns he's probably been to hundreds if not thousands of fires," Mitch said to quantify and qualify his instructor's knowledge, skills and abilities, "now he's the deputy chief of their special operations command."
My eyebrows scrunched up again as I asked almost sarcastically, "Do they have a special class for boyfriends and girlfriends of firefighting students to help translate all this lingo?"
Mitch smiled as I set Defender's parking brake in the parking lot, "as I recall you seemed to pick up on the engine, truck and rescue stuff pretty fast that first day you saw me at the firehouse. I promise I'll explain more as I learn more."
I leaned over and gave Mitch a quick kiss, "that's for future Firefighter Mitch Humboldt, I'm totally digging the sound of that." followed by another, slightly longer kiss, "and that one's for my boyfriend. I love you Mitch."
"I love you too Macy," Mitch replied before they went in to find Robbie and Karen.