61

 

       DOUG

 

    He circles the tables, clenching the silverware in his fist.  Carefully, he deposits each piece like he was planting seedlings.  Even from here I can see the glint of the sun on it; no plastic spoons and forks for this picnic, no sir!  I feel the smile come to my face as the scene flashes before my eyes, him and her yelling about it.  I can't imagine her letting that silver out of the house without a fight.  And just for family too.  I'd be willing to bet he's got everything on the wrong side.

    I stop at the first shed and lean the rifle inside the door.  I can get it later.  No one looks up as I come down through the orchard.  I'm in the open before even the dog notices me.  Janice looks up and waves.  Jimmy starts to run at me, and Grandpa looks up.  There is something in those eyes; he wants to talk to me.  I catch the kid and swing him up into the air, landing him on my shoulder.  Susie waves.  Art just looks, standing there in his funny plaid shirt wondering what I'm going to do, trying to decide if he's glad that I showed up.  I look back at him.  Let him wonder.

    Dougie!  Where have you been?  I waited and waited.  I didn't know what to think.

    Well, I'm here now.  I sit down at the first picnic table and pull Jimmy down into my lap.  Something you want me to do?

    No.  Your grandfather's been asking about you.

    I tickle Jimmy, digging my fingers into his ribs until he makes a gulping sound that means he can't breathe, that he's choking on his own giggles.  This is what an uncle does; I can remember the weekends when Art used to swing me above his head and toss me in the air until my head swam and my yells sounded like someone else, somewhere else.  The next day I always had bruises under my arms where he caught me, and Art and Lorraine and Susie and baby had gone home.

    Susie sits herself down next to me.  Hi there.  Long time no see.  We thought you might not be coming.  Grandpa's been asking for you ever since I got here.  He's all bothered about something.  We were just getting ready to eat; thought you might not make it.

    Ever known me to miss a meal?  I smile at her, but she looks at me funny, and I turn back to tormenting Jimmy.  I guess I'm not very convincing; I'll have to remember that.

    How you doing?  I ask.

    I'm fine.  What's the matter?

    Nothing.  Why?

    She shrugs.  I just think there's something going on and nobody's talking.

    And Wes?

    He's in the house.  Mother has him carrying out extra chairs.

    Uh oh, where's Eric?

    She shrugs.  Everybody thought he might be with you.

    Nope, I haven't seen him.  He's going to hear it when he gets here though.

    Yeah.  I brought the badminton set.  I thought we might play some.  Remember when you and I and Janice and          what was that boy's name?

    Which one?

    Her boyfriend back then?

    I shrug.  Whatever.  Who can keep track?  Even back then.

    Well anyway, remember how we used to play until it was so dark you couldn't see the birdie and we'd end up just swinging and laughing.

    Yeah, I remember.

    And then we'd go in the house and sit in the kitchen with Grandpa while the grownups were watching television in the living room.  And what's-his-name would go home, and Grandpa would tell us stories about hunting up on the mountain and the burlesque houses in Baltimore and the times that he and that guy          ah

    Scooey.

    Yeah yeah, Scooey!  How they used to go down there and get into fights.  And remember how our mothers used to get so upset when he's swear and tell us about the burlesque places.  It was so funny, I never knew what burlesque was.  I remember the first time I went to an old run down place--one of the last ones--when I was in college.  I was so disappointed.  I expected so much more    I don't know what--excitement, glamour, I don't know.  And not from the stories, from how upset my mother would get.  Imagine!  Telling things like that to children, she tries to sound like her mother.  It was so shabby.

    Maybe it was a lot different back then.

    She smiles.  I like to think so.

    Anyway, they were great old stories.  Somebody ought to write them all down.  Just the way he tells them.  Use a tape recorder and

    He doesn't tell them anymore.

    He doesn't?

    No.  I look at her.

    Jimmy squirms free and runs across the yard giggling and yelling for Janice to pay attention to him.  Look Mommie, look Mommie, he calls.  She holds Derek against her and smiles at him.  Wes brings out two chairs.  Lorraine's laugh comes from the open door.  Art's voice seems so loud, but I can't make out what he's saying.  The smell of the grease dripping on the charcoal makes my mouth water.  She is so pretty.

    Grandpa is looking at me, waiting for me to look around so he can wave me over there.  His eyes are on me like the sight of a gun.  I can feel it, but it's like if I don't look he won't pull the trigger.  So I don't look.

    You think you'll be up for a game of badminton then?  It's been a while, but I think I can take you.  What do you say?  I figure you and Eric against Wes and

    Maybe.  We'll see.  I'd better go see if there's something they want me to do.  I'm up and started across the lawn before she can answer.  Janice gives me a funny look.

    Anything I can do here?  I ask.

    No.  We're about ready to eat.  You might want to rescue Momma from Aunt Lorraine.  I think she has her cornered in the kitchen.  And you could see what Grandpa wants; I'll make him up a plate if you find out what he wants o it.

    I'll take care of him.

    Okay.  She keeps looking at me like I'd done something strange, but I figure I've given her enough of a chance to say what's on her mind.

    Out of the corner of my eyes I see Eric's bike turn in the drive.

    Hi, Grandpa, I call as I cross the yard again.  He motions, but I'm already at the door.

    And what can I do for you ladies?

    Oh, Doug.  Well, you can carry out those things on the table.  I don't know what they are--Susan and Janice put them there--but I imagine they go out on the table.  Get that Tupperware thing there and the dish with the lid.  Yeah, that one.  There, you have that?  I guess that's all.  Elvira, you have your ham?  Okay, I guess that's all.  Here, I'll go first, and can you get the door?  Got it?  The flies are just terrible this year.  She leads us out of the kitchen like a drum majorette, her mouth never stopping.  You have them down at your house this bad?  I don't remember

    I look up through the orchard to the woods.  I can't see where I was sitting.  The brush up there is thick and tangled.  There is no charcoal smoke.  There are no parades.

    Eric is sitting with Susan.  Wes is the same as always, his hands in his pockets, his head in the clouds.  Art smiles and waves his spatula in the air.  Jimmy yells something about Derek and juice.

    Jim, will you be so good as to say grace?  I'd ask Eric or Doug, but I'd like to understand it for once.

    The dog lets us know he's there.

    Be glad to, Lorraine.

    I think we're about ready.

    Okay.

    Let's eat!

    Jim is going to say grace.

    I kneel beside the old chair.  Well, I'm taking orders Grandpa.  What'll it be?

    Where you been?

    Oh, around.  What can I get for you?  We got

    There's somebody up there.  Shooting deer.  My deer.  I told Art, but he's too damn busy to I want you to go up there and see.  There's somebody up there.

    Okay, okay, I'll look into it.  Now, what can I get for you?

    I heard them early this morning.  I told Art ,and then I told Lorraine.  I thought to call up Sprecker, but I figured you'd be up and

    Okay, I said I'd go up there after we eat.  The stuff's all ready now, and Aunt Lorraine'd have fit if I just took off again.  It'll wait.  I don't hear anything now.  Do you hear anything?

    You think I'm crazy, don't you?

    No, I didn't say that.  I just asked if you heard anything now.  I'll go up there later.

    They'll be all gone and

    Well then, they'll be gone, won't they?  Now, do you want something to eat or don't you?

    He raises and lowers his teeth.  You got ham?

    We got ham.

    Give me some of that and some macaroni and cheese and beans,  Got any tomatoes?  Give me some tomatoes with sugar on 'em and corn, you got corn?

    Sure.  Roasting ears.

    He frowns.  Well, I ain't gonna eat it off no cob like some kinda animal.  He won't admit that his teeth won't stay in his mouth.  You'd think we ain't got utensils like real people.  You'd think

    Okay,  Okay, I'll cut the corn off for you.  You just don't want to give us a show.

    What?

    I said I'd cut it off the cob for you.  Well, that ought to fill up the plate pretty good and keep you busy for a while.  I can get you something else later if you want.

    They're milling around the table and getting set down.  Art gives the meat a few pats and sits himself on the corner of the bench.  Lorraine directs traffic.  My mother smooths the hair on Dereks head; he frowns.

    You want I should move you out into the sun more?

    He shakes his head, but I'm not sure he's listening anymore.  His eyes are off somewhere.

    Okay, I grunt as I get up.

    Pickled eggs?

    I look back at him, but he's still not looking.  I can't help it, I grin; it's like a broken record, an old one that skips in all the same places.  I just nod, Pickled eggs.