Adam
Chapter 94
Maxieplus
When Gloria came back she had a big smirk on her face, I doubt whether she has a jealous streak in her body. As I said earlier both the Admiral and her are equals in looks and temperament. Dad dropped off the carton marked Ethan, and he was very eager to go through it, but because he was busy he said he would do it at home. Yes, he will keep it all. I did four more clients and Trish was smiling at me when we locked up.
"The shortcuts outdid the salon today, maybe it's time for a change."
"That would have been the recruits for the police force."
"I don't think so Adam, they don't start until the renovations finish."
"I see, but I won't turn this place into a circus."
"It already is." She giggled and picked the ringing phone up.
"Yes sir, ten am. Haircut and massage any preferences?"
"Adam, yes he's free sir, see you tomorrow." She hung up and started writing the client's name into the book.
"Kasey Casey, I can get Ethan to do it if you don't want to."
"Get out of our shop, my son's waiting for cuddles, and so is your husband. Really what sort of a person would I be passing Kasey over Ethan."
"It would be funny." She smiled.
"It would." I thought about it, but poor Ethan may cream his pants when he touches Kasey's shoulders.
We walked home and picked up our men on the way. Mum had already taken the kids home earlier. I asked Kasey why he booked a haircut, he said he wanted to sit in my chair and dream a little.
"Then you don't want a private message?"
"Yes, tonight, please. And one tomorrow you do look nice today. Can you walk ahead so I can watch you?" I complied and even turned and walked backwards so he could get the full effect. I was smiling on the way home, it's been such a long time since I have been so happy with myself. When we got there Sam and Billy hugged us and then jumped back into the pool. Dad was looking at some paperwork, and mum was writing in her diary. Nat sang out, she has bought a few meals by. We didn't need them but luckily they will freeze. She had photos to show us, Cindy had been shopping but couldn't decide on the size of the sofa. I took one of my grandpa one and said.
"Keep it comfortable." Then I sent it on to her.
"Has she had fun Nat?"
"Oh yes, she's in her element. One thing I do know about my wife is she's pretty darned talented in the staging department."
"Well, we will have more work for her when the apartments are finished. Mum have you thought any more on your deco?"
"No son, I thought we could use some of the furniture we left in the house."
"Add mum and dad's apartment to the list, have you spoken to Steff, and Joey Kasey?"
"No there's plenty of time. I wanted to see ours first before we commit." He smiled.
"You are going to love it Kasey," Nat was full of praise for Cindy.
"So we need to test drive it." I laughed. I do understand what Kasey was saying, if Cindy has made a dog's breakfast out of the place he won't use her again. I talked to Nat about the restaurant and she was confident it would be up and running within the next few months.
"I will need you when your items are moved there I wouldn't dare place them or let anyone near them Adam."
"Okay, I will spend a couple of days there and get it done."
"A couple of days?" Kasey said.
"Yes, they have to be perfect, lighting and placement."
"That's my boy." He smiled. It was a great night and I felt so much better inside, and that spring in my step was back. I hadn't forgotten my fatherly duties and Sam received extra special hugs when he went to bed. I left him talking to Billy on the phone, and I found Kasey face down on the sun lounge waiting for his massage. This, going back to the basics thing sure has created more work for me.
"What can I do for you, Adam?"
"What on earth do you mean, you already do a lot for me."
"I don't know buy you something, organise a holiday or something."
"A weekend at the cabin is all I want, you already do too much."
"Done, next weekend okay with you?"
"Yes, perfectly fine. I miss going there."
"I do too, should we tell everyone?'
"We can't get out of it Kase, maybe not Steff and Susan this time."
"It did get a bit cramped."
"Yes, and they know they can go anytime they want."
"You gave them a key?"
"Yes, just to give them a hint." I smiled.
"Good."
"Is he finished with the docks?"
"Yes, the final plans are in and I have found a manager for the bait shop."
"Who?"
"One of the guys from the drop-in centre he's ex-navy and loves his fishing."
"Good, I'm pleased you are sharing the workload."
"He's the one I was talking to the day we bought the statue."
"Really? That was quick."
"Bill sussed him out, he used to have a trawler up north, his daughter is doing well and he still wants to be unseen, but be nearer to her. He has run a business before and has contacts. Adam the profits will be shared with him do you mind?" I laughed.
"I don't mind one bit, well done."
"It was Bill's idea, I was just going to hand it over for the men to run but he said it's too risky with some of them, and he suggested Mark for the job."
"He's good that man."
"He is." Kasey held me once more, he stroked my hair and said.
"That's better."
"It's natural Kase, I can't stop it even if I wanted to. Grey hair is hereditary not caused by stress or worry. Believe me. I hate it as much as you do, but I am a hairdresser and I know there's nothing that can be done about it."
"I thought it was caused by worry." He lifted himself up on one arm.
"That's an old wives tale, I will try and keep the dye up."
"You do what you have to do. I don't mind it, and are you sure it's not worry or stress?"
"Positive." He kissed me and turned me around so he could spoon me. I hope that puts his mind at ease.
Trish and Joey were there when we went out the back, they were cooking breakfast for the kids and the coffee was on.
"We got bored."
"That's perfectly fine with us Joey, by the way, we are going to the cabin on the weekend."
"Can we come?" Trish asked.
"Of course you can."
"Good because I want to see my niece."
I think Trish just wants some bubby cuddles, there's more to that woman than just a pretty face.
"So I have the day off, what do you want me to do?" Joey asked Kasey.
"Relax, or you can come into my office. I need to talk to you about subdividing the land. You too dad."
"What's to talk about just get the men onto it."
"I want it done right, we can't expect buyers to pay for a postage stamp parcel of land they have to be close to normal blocks."
"That will eat into your profits."
"You have to place restrictions on them, no three-story residences, nothing over so many squares, things like that," Joey said.
"Or we can make it all terrace houses, they seem popular nowadays," Kasey said.
"You can cram them in for almost the same asking price."
"It would have to be policed."
"There will be guides in their contracts. Ideas men, I want ideas" Kase smiled.
"I will do some research and meet you for lunch, around twelve thirty okay with you Kase" Joey will fix it, he's cleverer than we think.
We had breakfast then I went to change. The rock god look today, sunglasses and all, stovepipe jeans white t-shirt and a lilac shirt, a big buckled belt and pointy-toed boots. As long as Kasey is happy I am happy to put it out there, although today, I kind of felt like a movie star. When we got into work Trish put the buns away and when she turned to ask if I wanted coffee, I was at the ready and she slipped into my arms. Nothing was said except a thank you. I knew she had been disappointed she wasn't pregnant, so all I could do was cuddle her until Gloria and Ethan came in.
"Good morning people did you have a good night?"
"Yes Adam, the admiral and I went to a great little restaurant in town, they served pizza." Gloria laughed.
"Ah, my favourite food," Trish said.
"And you Ethan, did you have a good night"
"Adam, I can't thank you enough. Those clothes are awesome."
"My pleasure Ethan and you do look very nice today."
"I can't afford Cody's range, but thank you for them." I looked at Gloria, she shrugged her shoulders.
When I found the time between clients I pulled her aside.
"What's the story, I thought he was doing well?"
"Adam, I can't say anything, he will kill me."
"Why?"
"Things in Ethan's life have turned sour, let's just leave it at that."
"Does he need help?"
"He's over the moon you gave him some new outfits, the best outfit he owns is the suit you got him for Trish's wedding. The rest is op shop stuff."
"I didn't realise he was doing it tough."
"Neither did I until I heard differently."
"Heard what, if one of my staff members is struggling I need to know?"
"Can't say Adam, and he won't talk about it."
"When he came here he was doing okay."
"Things have changed in his life. I'm trying to talk him into moving in with me but he won't have it, he said he doesn't need charity."
"Who can I ask then?"
"No one." She hugged me.
"I know it's hard but what I know he doesn't think I know. I am working on it."
"Adam your special client is here." Trish sang out.
I thanked Gloria and went to do my extra special customer.
"Are we shaving today sir?" He rubbed his hand over his whiskers.
"Yes please Adam." And so the dance begins. I sharpened my razor on the leather strap and covered his face with cream, I got so close to his face he moaned. I was almost straddling him and the salon was dead quiet. I looked around and everyone was watching us, so I gave them all a good show, even making Kasey take his shirt off so I could give him a good massage.
He gasped when I kept accidentally rubbing his groin and I suspected he cum, because his erection deflated moments later.
"Thank you, do you think they got an eyeful?"
"Oh yes, we must do that again sometime sir."
"Book me in for next week."
"Next week?"
"There's only so much a man can take Adam, and I think three times a day is far too much." I placed a sad look on my face.
"You will get over it." He laughed as he put his shirt back on.
"Now, if you have time I want to talk to you about something?"
"Coffee and a bun?"
"Come with me sir," He followed me into the tea room and I made our coffees. Looking out into the salon, I deemed Ethan busy so I could talk freely.
"What would you like to talk about?"
"Georgio, I need him."
"He's straight."
"Not for that, I need him to follow someone."
"Who?" I leaned in and whispered.
"Ethan."
"Typical you, what's the problem?" I told him what I knew but I wanted to know more.
"Done. Can you get his address to me?"
"I will bring it up at lunchtime."
"Joey's bringing lunch for us."
"Good," We had coffee and shared a bun and I have no idea what Joey has in mind for lunch. I saw him out and stared at my staff, they all laughed. I looked at Trish and said.
"Are you coming for lunch too?"
"Yes Adam, I am an investor."
"Good because I think we have trouble in our midst. Can you pull Ethan's address from the files and bring it with you?"
"Why?"
"Can't say the walls have ears here." We walked into the fed building at twelve, in the foyer there were some sofas and coffee tables, so I steered Trish over to a secluded one.
"Now what's up?"
"I don't know yet, but Gloria let it slip he's not doing too well. We don't want another Anne situation on our hands."
"I haven't heard anything. I do know he lives in a share house, and was doing well when he joined our salon. His work isn't suffering he's doing very well."
"I am going to get Georgio to investigate him there's something that's not quite right and I want to help."
"Is that wise, why don't you just ask him?"
"Gloria said even she doesn't know exactly what the problem is, so he's not going to talk to me, he might do a runner."
"Okay, here's his address, and please keep me updated."
"I was thinking if it's his home life he can move in with James and Marko when Anne moves."
"Good idea, as far as I know Pete is still looking for an apartment. His mum arrives soon so Anne will share her room with her, if necessary."
"We have to fix that also, I will talk to Kasey."
We concluded our business and then ventured upstairs. The place was in chaos when the lift doors opened. Joey had pizzas delivered for everyone and the feeding frenzy had begun. When we entered the office there were four boxes stacked on a chair, they were waiting for us.
"This must have cost you a small fortune," I said.
"Not as much as you think Adam, I negotiated a bulk price and the guys and girls need a break from their dull salad sandwiches." He laughed.
Dad arrived with a big piece in his hands, he sat and I opened our boxes to take one for myself.
"Have we any ideas boys?"
"I did a quick plan and have some photos of what I'm talking about," Joe said, then passed over some paperwork.
Kasey grazed on the food and he looked them over, then dad had a good look.
"Trish anything?"
"What Joey's proposing."
"It looks great, three-story townhouses along one side of the river and individual ones with docks on the other. Well done Mr. Merchant." Dad commented.
"Okay, we vote on this plan?"
"That's a yes," I said, and I am yet to see the plan.
Joey sat back and grinned, he had nailed it and it is suspiciously not unlike Kasey's first idea. I slipped Kasey Ethan's address and any information I had on him, he winked at me and shoved it in his diary. About then the staff were sticking their heads in to thank Joe for their lunch, his head got bigger.
"You have got me worried now," Trish said on our short walk back.
"Leave it to Georgio he will sort it all out. I will let you know first thing after I know."
The barber shop was busy so I thought more about getting another chair in, after much discussion with Trish we decided we needed another one, at the moment the staff are using the empty one nearer to my station. I didn't want to give that one up it holds fond memories. We ordered another chair to be delivered and I started cleaning up the station leaving the mirror and taking the vintage items off the shelves. I packed them away, they will come home with me. A sudden urge to cancel the chair and replace the trinkets came over me so I sat in the tea room while it passed by. We need the chair, like it or not the barber side of the business is booming. I finished my pity party and went to do another client, this young lady needed the works her hair was a mess.
Picking Kasey up on the way home is always a pleasure, it tells me he's working less and now has time to leave early. But today he was nowhere to be seen. So I was about to ring him when I heard an almighty crash. They had started demolishing the back wall of the police department. Luca spied me and came over and thanked me for Zena's new look.
"She's a beautiful soul Luca."
"That she is Adam, want to come and see what they found, Kasey's in there?"
"Is it interesting?"
"You might think so. I haven't looked yet." He smiled. I followed him over to the big gap they had made, I could see Kasey through the dust he was with dad and Evans, and a small film crew. When Kase saw me he came over and said I was to go home. He will look first then tell me.
"You got to see this Kasey and Adam." Evans ran out with the biggest grin on his face.
"Adam. Stay here," Kase said.
"No, it's okay come on before they disappear." I followed them into the dusty space and wasn't prepared for what came next. There were a lot of boxes along one wall, and two cars in mint condition.
"How the hell did they get these in here?" I gasped.
"Through the front doors Adam, and take one guess who they belonged to."
"Oh I don't know, a vintage convertible red Mercedes, and a Porsche? Now if I were a betting man, I would say they were Fred and Adele's cars."
"Why in here, why hide them away?"
"I will ring Mercedes and Jimmy," I smiled because Kasey was already behind the wheel of the Porsche. Mick was there with his film crew, Kasey had thought there may be some hidden gems behind that wall, and he was right. The cameras were on and rolling.
"It's a collection Adam, a military collection medals belts helmets everything, and loads of paperwork and old stuff." Evans was excited. I groaned.
"Not another museum."
"No, a collection, somebody valued this stuff so much they hid it away"
"Fred?"
"We don't know, but it indicates all this was his."
I opened my phone and rang Jimmy, he would know. Nope, after I explained everything to him twice he denied knowing about it, he thought there was only paperwork from the construction company in there. He did say the cars had disappeared after Fred passed and he gathered Adele had sold them.
"So she stored all this away?"
"Yes, I wasn't in town when it was boarded up, I was at the cabin grieving." I thanked him and we disconnected, then I sent him some photos.
"I suppose the cars will come home with us?" I leaned on the roof talking to Kasey.
"You bet your life they are, we will have them checked out first. We can move them when the offices are demolished. I bags the Porsche you can have the Merc." I intend to have it whether he liked it or not.
"Don't turn that key Kase, you may damage the engine." I reminded him.
"The urge is strong Adam, what else did they find."
"A military collection, I guess it belonged to Fred."
"I will get the guys to go through it, and make an inventory."
"Will you move it to the lofts?"
"No Adam, if it's worth saving we will donate it to the War Memorial in Canberra."
"I can make an educated guess, it will be worth saving."
"Me too." He grinned and I helped him out of the car.
"Jimmy knows nothing, I will ring Mercedes when we get home."
"Mick, are you getting all this?"
"Yes boss," He smiled.
"Keep at it, do the boxes as they are opened."
"Sorry Luca your new office might take another week to get started."
"Can I have the Mercedes?"
"No!" I looked at him and he laughed. I have already stamped my name on it.
Kasey stayed behind to look through the cartons, so I kissed him and left, mum would be worried about us.
The boys were in the pool, so I made coffee and sat with mum to watch them.
"I hear you have had another big find."
"Dad rang you?"
"Yes." She giggled.
"So I don't have to tell you the Merc is mine."
"No son, but I think your father has his eye on the other one."
"Kasey's going to get them checked out then they can fight over it."
"Why are they in there?"
"That is to be determined. I will ring Mercedes tonight she may know, but Jimmy thought Adele had sold them."
"Maybe she couldn't look at them after Fred passed."
"Sounds about right mum, who knows what torment she went through around that time. She only spoke to me about Fred in loving tones."
"She was one hell of a lady Adam."
"She was." I smiled.
Kasey arrived home, he was over excited and the first thing he said was.
"The collection goes to the War memorial, I will get dad to organise it. There's a lot of stuff in there that was carefully collected over the years."
"And my car?" I grinned.
"They will be moved here sometime this week. A mechanic will be in tomorrow to look them over."
He finished his coffee then dropped his pants. The boys were waiting for him.
"What have we got for dinner mum?"
"There's a casserole on, I felt like some veggies."
"Good luck with that, the kids won't eat it." I smiled.
"They have vegetable patties and some fries, but don't tell them." She winked. I stripped off and dived in, the kids headed my way and started splashing me. When they settled down they went back to talking with Kasey. I am pretty sure a diving board is being installed soon so that will entertain them.
Dad was talking to Kasey he said he had been in touch with the curator of the war memorial and he and some men will pick up the boxes tomorrow, they were excited to look through it all. He got a phone call and I made one to Mercedes.
"Adam, I know Fred collected memorabilia. Adele didn't like it cluttering up the garage and she wouldn't have it in the house. The cars are what you thought Adeles and Freds, but she never told me what happened to them."
"I thought you may have known that's all, no big deal she probably couldn't bear to part with them."
"I do know she did everything in her power to make life easier for them both when she thought Johnny had been killed, they used another car with a driver for some time. Perhaps Adele didn't trust Fred and herself to be driving around the city."
"Maybe that's the answer then, Luca was saying the lease on the ground floor started around that time but he wasn't involved in the force back then."
"There were a lot of changes around that time Adam, but you know what?"
"What?"
"They were more concerned for Jimmy, they didn't want to lose him also. The apartment he lives in had become a jail for him, for years he hardly left it."
"He was doing photography for the museum part-time for a long time so he must have gone out."
"He had his private entrance. When Adele visited she had to make an appointment."
"Okay Mercedes, now we have to talk seriously about you and Ken coming for lunch Saturday week, it would be this weekend but we are going to the cabin."
"I can't go there too many good and sad memories, but you enjoy yourselves. I will pencil you in for next Saturday around twelve thirty okay?"
"That's fine, and thank you."
"By the way, we love pizza." She laughed and I disconnected the call. I had a thought while on the phone. I only knew Adele for a year before she passed but Mercedes knew her longer than that. I will talk to Kasey and Mick, maybe she should be brought into the movie filming as my assistant, together we could make it so much better.
Mum's casserole was delicious and the boys ate their patties without question, then they started their homework. There was no sign of Trish and Joey tonight, but I want her at the cabin all weekend so I have organised three casuals to do the Saturday shift. Kasey agreed and also thought we could get Aunty Mary in to consult. I told him she probably won't do it and she won't allow her story to be told, as you all know she's a private family mum, not a star.
The weekend came around and we left for the cabin as soon as the boys got out of school, Macca's was purchased on the way so the kids next door would have a treat for their dinner. We also bought some roasted chooks and I will do some salads to go with them for our dinner. I had watched the men push the cars through the front doors of the fed building, Mick was filming it all and a ramp had been constructed to get them down the six stairs out the front. They were loaded onto tray trucks and hauled off to a specialist garage to be looked over. The boxes had already been loaded onto a military truck to be driven to Canberra and now Luca gets his bigger space. Sam and Billy took the food next door and the gully was once again happy to have screaming kids running through it. Kase turned the amenities on and mum started peeling potatoes.
"I will do roast veggies Adam, the boys will eat them if they are hungry."
"I got some salad."
"We can use that tomorrow, I bought some barbeque meats, so salad is perfect."
I aired out the bedrooms and Eva was our first visitor. Little Casey was getting so big, and with smiles for miles, she had no worries coming to us for a cuddle. Eva looked amazing, always groomed to perfection and always the same perfume I loved so much.
"So how is business?"
"Full this weekend Adam, Wilson will be over soon he is just fixing a tap."
"Is it everything you imagined?"
"Nothing like I thought Adam, it's better. I am busy in the salon busy at home but it's all worth it. I get my family to myself a lot." She giggled.
Wilson arrived and we all got hugs, he talked to dad and Kasey mainly, and I overheard him asking if he could lease the cabin out as a holiday let. I know exactly what Kase's answer would be, a flat-out no, after all, it's not just the cabin it's the playground that may be destroyed.
"It's okay Adam, he's just baiting Kasey, there's no way this place would be rented out and he knows that."
The smell of a roast dinner wafted throughout the cabin and when Joey and Trish arrived mum and I set about putting it all together. The table was extended and Eva and Wilson were invited to join us. Trish took Casey and cuddled her until the food was placed on the table, she was then put in her carry basket, to maybe have a nap. Trish only sees this side of babies, not the sleepless nights when they decide to scream for no apparent reason. I am sure Eva has experienced this more than once. We had wine and coffee in the chill-out area and the boys headed for the family room to watch something on TV, and to claim their sleeping areas. Joey was telling us they would be going to the farm for lunch tomorrow, he just wanted to check up on his mum's wedding plans. We had a great night and our friends moved back to their house then Kase and I went to bed.
The kids were up early and I could hear mum in the kitchen. I collected my wages from Kasey after we showered. The sun was out today in full force, so it will be a hot day. Thankfully the trees in the gully will supply some protection. I hugged everyone good morning and made coffee for Kase and myself, then I started folding up sleeping bags to stack in the corner, then finally I sat at the table. Sam, Billy and the kids decided they wanted to explore some more, so mum reminded them that it was going to be hot and to be prepared to spend the day inside. It was not long after that they made a list of what to watch on TV today. Of course the ultimate question was to come, and Sam was elected to ask his poppa.
"Poppa can we have a pool?"
"Get out of this one." I laughed, but Kasey being himself really couldn't refuse his son's requests and I thought he did well considering.
"I looked at installing one son, but the pool man said it was impossible, otherwise you would have one now. It's the logistics of building in the gully it's too hard for them."
"Oh, but what about a plastic one we can blow it up."
"Maybe. Can dad think about it some more?"
"Yes poppa, I was just only asking." He couldn't wait to go back and tell the others his dad said maybe.
"Is there a local pool Adam?"
"I don't know I had better look it up."
"By the way, it's getting closer for you to begin talks with Mick, have you spoken to Mercedes?"
"No, I will do that next weekend they are coming for lunch."
"And Aunty Mary?"
"I don't know, I can try, but I doubt she will be in it. She's a private person and I don't want to shake her world up."
"Okay but can you at least try?"
"I can." Smiling I made a note to go and see her before next weekend. My diary is filling up and I had better start clearing it. We had a barbeque for dinner the next night, Trish and Joe had spent most of the day at his mum's place. I helped Eva in the salon, she had a full day booked in and her offsider was lovely and knew her craft well. The local ladies were wonderful people and when mum popped in with fresh scones, she made everyone's day. The highlight was when Chloe called in on her way to the farm, she signed autographs and chatted to some customers. She gave them her news, she is making a movie which won't come out until next year. Trish was telling us that her wedding will be the same as hers and Joey's, her mum is so excited and she loves Georgio which is a big plus. She is going to the Adele Museum this week to try on the wedding dress, if it isn't a good fit she will have it copied. Nothing much happened and the boys had a ball while Kasey and I napped enjoying the quiet.
Feeling fully relaxed we headed for home, the cabin isn't the same as it was, it is more of a holiday house in the hills now, but I still enjoy going there. The kids were screaming when they ran out the back, the diving board had been installed yesterday, it looked good and was even better when they started playing on it clothes and all. Later on Sam and Billy both thanked us for their present, then they wanted Kasey to try it out because he's the best diver. I took some shots and I captured another memory for the kid's albums. I have no idea how I was going to convince Aunty Mary to join Kasey's documentaries but I will try my best. Maybe if I take Chloe with me she might be a game changer. Speaking of the gorgeous Chloe, she and Georgio called in on their way home, they said they wanted to watch the kids diving and Trish and Joey would be over later on.
"They have ordered the pizzas, Adam," I rolled my eyes, that is what was missing this weekend, no pizzas.
"Will you come to Mary's with me?" I asked her.
"No Adam, I can't do it to her she's a sweet lady and is always kind to me. Adam, I look at her like she's my grandmother and I don't want her thinking I have set her up."
"I get it, but I have to ask for Kasey's sake. I will go on my own and what will be will be."
"If she says no, please don't pressure her. I would hate to think she said yes because of me."
"I won't Chloe, but as I said I have to ask."
Donations are gratefully received at Nifty