Chapter 74 March Stephenson Maxieplus
As the days rolled by it all settled down again and the word on our page was all about the dig. I had told March about Tinker and he was genuinely sad for him, he said that it could have been him living that life. Rose was told to talk to him when she got time but as much as she tried to get me to part with any information, I didn't say a word. "Rose just talk to him, he may take some time to open up, but he told me he would." "Nicky, if he wants to propose to me then I won't be happy." She smiled. "No, something wonderful will happen, I am very sure of that." She hopped off that chair and went to her car, she said in passing she had to visit Daniel. I wish I had gone with her that day, apparently they talked for hours and when dusk fell he shared a meal with her in her home down the road. She didn't say much to me about it, I think she wanted to keep her news to herself, but she promised she would open up to me one day. We sat for ages holding hands, she was smiling and my heart was happy. It was two weeks after that they found Tinker in the curator's office at the cemetery, he had been sicker than he let on. A gloom came over Rose and I, we should have seen it coming, and he didn't look all that well. I comforted myself by thinking at least Rose and I had brought some comfort into his last days. She told me he told her almost everything about his life, and with Daniel, a lot more than what he told me. He had organised to have his name added to Charlie's headstone, and a simple message was also etched across the bottom. 'Together forever' It was a big thing for him to do, and my heart skipped a beat when I read it. The funeral was large because I had written a piece about our meeting, telling the town how isolated he felt, and brokenhearted he was. I told my town folk to be aware of anyone who appears to be on their own and take the time to chat with them. It wasn't only that piece, many people in town knew of him in passing. Every time they went to visit relatives at the cemetery they would say hello to him, he always had a smile for them, but he had a story only I and Rose had heard. His little cottage was just out of town but still on the main road, and a week or two after the funeral, Rose got the news that in his will had left everything to Daniel Davis for being such a smart loving young friend to him. Rose locked the cottage up and in time she will go through his memories, but not now, she has her baby to look out for also. I was in the dull drums for a few weeks, not experiencing a lot of death around me, except grans. I took Tinkers pretty hard when it happened. March was a rock when I slipped into the abyss, he had me laughing again and in time I will go to the cemetery and talk to both of them. Together forever, and I forced myself to imagine them lying in a field of flowers having the best of times.
The books he had handed me were quite puzzling at first, it had taken me some time to look at them. I could match up some families but doubted I was right and my lists changed several times. March's family were mentioned and I found Elizabeth Mary, Jessy's mum buried beside Jessy's dad, and Jessy wasn't too far away with his wife Emily. No lavish headstone just dirt and a marker number, we will have them done when I get more information. I couldn't get the thought out of my head that this is how March, Mason and I would be interned and it scared me a little, even spooked me. My hand had healed and all I have now is a red welt across it, in the past few weeks I didn't even notice it that much and had lost the bandage somewhere along the line. I talked to Jim at the dig and he took the books, he said his students will study them for their mid-term tests. I had decided that fresh unclouded eyes would research it better than my interest in only one family. It was a sunny morning when I did that and March congratulated me on seeing sense, he had a lot of cars in this week and when Rose turned up he left to go do some work. We sat and had a coffee then she finally started opening up. "He told me that Daniel had loved a boy at school, but was rejected. At their first meeting, Daniel was found crying sitting on one of the graves. I know he always took the shortcut through the cemetery back home, so his being there wasn't that unusual. He told me he sat with him without talking and he could feel his pain until the crying stopped. It all started then and continued just about every day, he would sit on the grave and Tinker would sit with him. Eventually, Daniel started talking, he felt comfortable to say the things he wanted to say and it only took a few days for Tinker to talk about his life. He told Daniel to look to the future, the boy at school wasn't for him but there was someone out there just waiting to hold his heart. "Nicky, I am so overwhelmed and grateful that Tinker was the one to talk to my boy. I couldn't wish for a better man to guide him through that awful time." "Did Daniel ever tell you about it?" "No, but I suspected at the time he had some sort of problem at school. It had all passed in a blink of an eye, one day he was down, and one day he was on top of the world again." "And the other boy?" I knew what she was going to tell me and I didn't mind, because I also knew March and his reason for the rejection. "Yes it was March he was in love with." "I know, March loved him to Rose, but he was too young for him, he was terrified the town would find out and he would be labelled as a child molester." "I gathered that, and Tinker said much the same thing to him at the time. It had nothing to do with his death Nicky. Daniel didn't go on to destroy his own life. But he did, even after he left school, go to the cemetery and sit with his old friend. Nicky my heart is singing for my son and so happy he had Tinker as a mentor back then." "I know you are very proud of him Rose, all March told me was he loved Daniel in a way, but he wouldn't make a move on him, he had too much respect for you and his town." "He's a wonderful man that guy of yours Nicky and I can see why he did it, at the time Daniel was only fourteen and I suspect very confused. When his mood changed for the better he started talking to me about being gay, another thing I had to thank Tinker for, he had talked it all out with him first before the courage was found for him to talk to me." "Wonderful Rose, they helped each other in a small way." "His house was left to Daniel, that tells me everything I need to know, they bonded like a father and son. One day you will have to come with me and we will go through his life with Charles." She kissed my hand and it was about that time bubs wanted to practice his kicking. She started laughing and said. "He wants out Nicky but I have to tell him again it's far too early for that, he will be a winter baby." She rubbed her tummy. I did talk to March about it, and he gave me the right answer, the only type of answer that March Stephenson would give. "Nicky, I did what I did because I knew it was the right thing to do. I knew he was sad but he did get over it when he changed. He became the person we all loved and admired. I wished I had his courage around then, but I knew deep down someone was coming for me, and you did." "Thank God you waited." "What took you so long?" He smiled. "I had things to do in the city." He kissed me and we made love, not for the first time but it felt like it was. I have my second council meeting tonight, March was more excited than me, mum babysat for us. I didn't have any shock announcements like the last time and he drove me there smiling his head off. "March I have nothing to suggest tonight, my work is done as far as ideas go." "Are you sure you don't have something else up your sleeves?" "Not really, I think tonight Brenda will update us on what's been done about the last ones." "Sure." He didn't believe me, and if he's expecting another bombshell he will be sorely disappointed. He pulled into the car park then he wanted to make out a bit before going inside. Nudge and Jan pulled up next to us and he said out loud. "Need a hand March?" I shook my head and laughed along with Jan. Brenda was charged tonight, she was excited about something, I could tell. The hall was full, standing room only and my March sat at the front this time with a big doe-eyed grin on his face. "Welcome everyone, now let's get down to business." She shuffled her papers and started reading a report, mentioning that government money has been approved for the upgrading of road safety in the town, and it has also been approved to set up the Information centre. Her big news was that the leases of the Stephenson forest had been signed and money was made available to the council to hire horticulturalists and rangers to patrol the land. "This money will also include the fire station upgrades and any road upgrade that pertains to the forest. Those roads include Main Street and the city side entrances." She paused "And Ethan you don't get an upgrade, so tell Hank to stop emailing us please." The crowd roared laughing. "They have stipulated that it all be locked down and barriers preventing hunting or bush walking be put in place. We will be calling for locals to submit their resumes as it has created a few new jobs." She winked at me. "The dig has found some very interesting items, I hope you all are going along to see how hard those students are working on it. Thanks to Councillor Stephenson here, we have confirmation that the town will be placed on the heritage registry in due time. They are also giving us funding to maintain the old cottages, the digs and the museum. The best part of it all is the town hall and chambers will be placed on that list and we get much-needed upgrades, and they will put restrictions on the old shops so our heritage is preserved, for hopefully many generations to come. We have decided that under their umbrella we can restore the old cemetery and have plaques placed on the unmarked graves. Those brilliant students are doing that for us. It is all totally at our discretion. We have to submit any recommended upgrades to our older properties to them, and they will supply the funding for preservation." The crowd started cheering and clapping March was the loudest. "Now, any future business to be discussed? Oh by the way, copies of this paperwork have been made available on our new website, which I believe will be launched sometime tonight. I thank you again, councillor Stephenson." I know people, and Pete does also, it wasn't hard to organise. "Again, any future business?" They all looked at me and once again I slid down in my seat. "There is one thing," I remembered as I put my finger up. "Please enlighten us councillor." I could hear May chuckling to herself. I stood up and looked at them all. "The hotel and supermarket have agreed to lease some land off March for parking, that contract will be signed tomorrow. Now if you will indulge me for a minute I have an interim announcement." The clapping went mental and March was almost standing. "The zebra crossing guard job has been decided on, and I am pleased, no, excited that our first safety officer will be March Stephenson. March you can pick up your new uniform from the council chambers when the time comes." "What?" "You have too much time on your hands March, it will be beneficial to you to get some fresh air twice a day." I almost yelled because the laughter and clapping got louder. "Nicky, I told you I won't do it." "You also told me Nudge was a lousy kisser, but I beg to differ." "What?" He's going for it now and after he jumped onto the stage I got an awesome kiss. Not far away Nudge was almost in tears laughing. The night was awesome, and as people started leaving my hand was shaken plenty of times, it ached on the way home and after we picked our sleeping boy up and put him to bed we sat with coffee and talked. "I won't do it," "I know you won't, we have someone else in mind baby." "Who?" "We have had seven applications for that job so far, surprisingly there are still people living here that need work, the trick is to find out who needs it the most." "You are so good for this town Nicky thank you for coming here." "You're welcome March, and you know why I'm still here. I didn't just fall in love with the town, its inhabitants are a bit awesome too." "Nicky, can we go to bed now?" "Of course, would you like a massage?" "Would I." He ran into the bedroom and was stark naked on the bed before I could blink. The next morning I checked if the new Council website was online and working. I had already uploaded all the interesting things around our area and items from the digs and museum. I won't be responsible for it, Brenda will appoint one of her minions to do it for us. Some photos of the calendar and coffee table book were featured and both items were in the shop if anyone wanted to purchase them. The old photos I had found were there also but no names had been mentioned as yet. March was out the back with Mason they had eggs to collect so he could have one for breakfast. When they came up to the house he had three in his basket, so I started once again to make it up for him, four more to go and I will have a dozen in the fridge to give to mum. I know she buys Faith's from the veggie barn, but these are her grandsons and made with love. The meeting was featured on the local page and the usual comments were made, the website was advertised and everyone was invited to submit photos to be added to it. Things were heating up at the dig and that table of items turned into two tables and a tent was erected to shield them from the weather. Our Christmas lights were stored away and Ron was slowly working his way towards the end of our new garage, it will be big but not an eyesore. The loft was very much needed and March will store his illegal items up there and we will put Mason's excess toys in with it also. Although not finished I can see what he was trying to achieve, so much more space and plenty of overhead lights were added. I ran to work today and March followed, he likes to do that he gets an extra buzz out of watching my ass bounce around. Mason rode with him because he likes to sing some songs early in the morning so the radio is always on. The usual suspects were there and I greeted them, then went to put the washing on and clean up a bit, my guys and girls are a tidy lot they have never made a big mess of the facilities for which I am grateful for. Jim from the dig came over with a folder in his hands. "This has cleared up some questions, the kids have exhausted every avenue. it's far from complete but it does make sense. The Stephenson family came out on the 'Hisparantas' a Spanish ship and settled in Melbourne, they migrated up here a year later and established the surrounding farming land. They are mentioned in the census registers as Elizabeth Jessy and Jess Stephenson, there were no other children recorded but the son Jess or Jessy had eleven kids, from what was found. The Jones family are in here, and they found some Wagner names, and some Chinese names, the Chinese came here to find gold but stayed when it dried up and began farming in this area. We have spoken to Jason about his ties to the town but he had nothing to add to it, only that he heard his folks had been here for years. The kids are still working on it but it's hard because records of the Asian population are quite messy." "They have done a wonderful job, and should all get straight A's in their exams. I could never have found all this, not in a month of Sundays." "It's pretty easy if you know what you're doing Nicky, the only hurdle is most families use the same name handed down for their kids, and that makes it messy. The students have already earned their A's they have given up a lot to be here and the college is so grateful to them." "Good, so when it's over, or before, we will throw them a big party." "Please consider it, they have worked hard on this dig. They never get anything like a party at other places, just a morning tea or something." "I will talk to Faith Wagner, do you think they would enjoy a good old-fashioned barn dance?" "Do they even exist nowadays?" "They do if she says so." I grinned. "I think that is probably the perfect thank you for them, they hear about such dances but have never experienced any." "Done, one barn dance coming up." I spent most of the morning writing up a story for the website and I will add names to some of the people in that photo, I do know which ones were Asian, a small family on one side. I wondered if they were Jason's ancestors, but it has to be confirmed. On the report several Chinese names had been written but all with question marks beside them. I wanted to talk to March and May about all this but I don't want to do their heads in with a lot of information. I went to grab my man and son and we all walked across the road to get lunch. "Curry today March?" "Yes please Nicky, can I have double I'm hungry." "Of course you can sweet man, Mason what would you like to eat?" His less favourite words because he shook his head from side to side. "Spaghetti it is." Mum always keeps small cans of it, and occasionally he eats it. "Where's Rosie May?" "With Jason, he's taken her to see her grandmother. He said something about getting some family information." "His heritage May, they think Jason's family came here after or with yours." "That would be awesome." "It's not confirmed but the Asian people in that old photo may be his family." "That's so cool, but he was adopted out when he was young he only knows the Atkins family." "Maybe Roz will come up with something. I doubt his family tree has ever come up in any conversations." "He said it didn't, but he was not fussed about it either." "Have another look at the photo, see if you can see Jason in any of it." "His mum was western Nicky, bit hard to match them up." "Well I tried, now March, how is your ass looking nowadays, backless chaps for you to wear to the next barn dance I think?" "What?" He nearly choked. "Backless chaps and nothing else." "In your dreams, that's an awful thing to do to me, especially around here." "Will you do it?" "If you want me to, but I will be standing against the wall all night." "I will stand with you in my sexy black jock." "May, Nicky's picking on me again," he whined. "You deserve it, bloody wimp of a brother, do as you're told." "What?" Mum came out with our food and I was in the throes of laughing. "What's he done now?' "Nothing mum just being awful again." March licked his lips. "Nicky behave yourself." She lifted her hand and I automatically shut up. "Yes, mum." Mason was loving his spaghetti and so was Sunny, the pavement, and the table it was everywhere except in his mouth so I ordered him some chips and gravy he likes them the best. I wiped 'Hank' down also, he had received a splash or two in the process. "Your family were the first settlers here May, Jessy the younger didn't have any brothers, but he did go on to have eleven kids." "There's very few of their descendants up here as I told you they scattered all over the world." "Have you got proof of that March?" "No, but that's what our parents told us and they would know." "Okay, we will leave it at that then." "Good." He's not interested anymore I won't push it with him. "Has Faith decided to have another barn dance?" May asked. "Not yet, but I thought it might be a good way of thanking the college kids for all their expert help. Jim agrees with me." "Can't wait, the last one was awesome." "Only because you got to see a bit of Jason's ass cheeks." "That too." She smiled. As I ate my lunch dad was telling March about his hardware suppliers and he had almost signed up with a big importer. He had both Mark and Dianne looking at it, and he also said they were doing that at the boy's restaurant, plus discussing opening times and a website for online orders. He wouldn't be handling the timber side of things that's too bulky for his shop. "You should have some plants and potting mix, plenty of residents are into their gardens." "Yes, that's the next thing I have to look into." "Go and talk to the Wagner girls first and get their thoughts on it all. They have flowers they sell, and that farm generates a lot of compost but I don't know what they do with it." "I will talk to them next time mum goes there. But if they sell it I won't keep it." March was happy with that. "Nicky, do I really have to wear nothing underneath?' "Of course not, you wear what you want baby." He stared at me and answered. "Why am I struggling to believe you?" "Trust me." I grinned. I already had our outfits picked out, but nothing will top my last year's performance, except March Stephenson. With lunch over I talked Mason into having a small nap, he settled down with his mates and dropped off. I looked at my hand and the redness had turned pink, and that's probably where it will end. March walked in not long after and said. "What about jeans and chaps?" He's been thinking about it. "What about we go to the shed and I will check it all out?" "About time Nicky." "Boys watch my boy, I will be back." A few sniggers from the regulars were heard as we both walked out the back door. I checked March out thoroughly and yes, he would look good in just chaps and maybe a scarf tied around his neck. I rang Faith and hinted that she would be having another dance, she actually got excited about it. I had better go and spend a day with her, I think she's bored again. Brenda was sitting at the table when we arrived for afternoon tea and March ordered a pie. I got a cake and shared it with Mase. "So what's up my lady Mayor?" I finally asked her. "We need to do something for the kids at the dig, can you come up with an idea like a street party or something?" "All sorted Mayor, a barn dance is being organised as we speak." I grinned. "You never told me that March?" "I didn't know, only something has to be done for them." "Well instead of spending your day under a car or in the shed, it would have been to your advantage to actually ask me." "Sorry Nicky." "Were you trying to set me up again March Stephenson?" "No, well yes, but I did think it was a good idea." "Brenda, in future I will ring you with any good ideas, please don't rely on March, he is so last year." "Nicky?" He shouted. "Loser," I shouted back then started laughing. "So faith has started on it then?" Brenda broke my winning moment. "Yes, and to be fair I have only just got off the phone to her. She is excited to have another one and is starting on the plans tonight. she said she will ring you when she decides on a date." A truck pulled up outside May's new shop and workmen got out. I could see May rush out of her driveway to go and greet them. "That would be the workmen doing the footings for her new transportable rooms out the back." "She's quick that sister of mine." "She's eager to get it opened, we pushed the permits through last week and the workmen haven't much to do until the funds come through for the crossing and roundabout." "So she's using our council workers to set it up" "Yes, it's all about preservation and safety Nicky," Brenda smiled. "Is she paying?" I had to go and say. "Of course she is paying she's donating free lunches for the workers." "Very suspect Mayor." I nodded. "Leave May alone she does good work for the council. and like your husband here she's a town treasure when we need urgent help." "I see, so the graft is rife here after all." "No it's not, read the rules Nicky. That family that needed help when the father lost his job, May saw them through a bad time and fed them every day for months. She does a lot of big things like that for us, it saves us using our resources, and she does it all with a smile, regularly, like her brother does. What's a bit of concrete and manpower, don't you two ever talk?" I looked at March and said. "We are going to have a serious talk when we get home. Sorry Brenda I know it happens, but I didn't know to what extent." "That's better." She said. Mum came out with coffee and cake for her and said. "On the house Mayor." I stared at her and she said. "This is a perk counsellor, after all, I am the mayor." She giggled. "Not for long," I said under my breath, did I just hear gasping? Back at work, I readied my son to go home, March will have to drive us because he's busy again and he still has that smirk on his face. "She's not as rich as me Nicky, but she has money she will never use, like me. She has food vouchers she hands out to different people in need, and at the end of the month, the stores that take them come here to redeem them for cash. She has always done that, it's her way of giving back to the community. I do the same but with home emergency help or school fees that can't be met, we do have needy families around here that we help. It's not bank draining, just occasionally." "Well you both do good March, I wish I could get involved with that too, but you never ask." We had this conversation while sitting in our driveway. "Nicky, you do the same, you have done more than we ever could. This town is on the map now, and everyone I talk to is so grateful you have put it there. What we do is sort of secret, a quieter way of doing things. We like it that way." "Okay I get it, and I won't run for Mayor." "She's worried about that Nicky." "I won't even run for council March, so she's safe." "You bloody will, and I will be right behind you." "In your chaps?" "In my chaps, but that's between you and me, and don't go announcing anything to the town." And that's how the fight started when he eventually arrived home. Someone had announced the forbidden words on the page, and when he came through the door it started in the kitchen, which led to the bedroom, which led to a fabulous fuck. Exhausted I lay there in his arms and we talked about Nudge's father losing his job when they were at school, March organised a temporary job for him and also fixed his car up so he could travel to outlying towns to apply for better jobs. He was fifteen at the time and he said he did much the same for Joel's family and Barry the painter, he lent him money for his mortgage, which I already knew about. He kept his mates and other friends' cars running free of charge, and he was rewarded by friends who were forever indebted to him and grateful. I understood March's big heart he has shown it to me several times, and I vowed to be a better husband to complement his status around here. The TV was on and our son had sat quietly watching his programs. I put the coffee on and started making some breakfast for him, he will have some oats today, he doesn't mind them, well he loves to make a mess and then eat a bit. I looked at the page and there was some confusion on my comment, no one mentioned any barn dance but they were wondering if March would be wearing his chaps down Main Street or in the workshop. A message from Faith confirmed she is going all out this time she was asking if a country and western drag show would go over well, and she has talked Hank into singing a few songs. She also heard of a line dancing group in the area, did I think a performance would be well received? I answered with a simple 'yes to all' Maybe I will find that dance group and throw March in it, in his chaps, nothing else. He came out scratching his balls, and I immediately started rising. He kissed Mason then Sunny then he did me, he lingered a little longer than the other two. "I need to ask you something?" "What now?" He's so suspicious. "There's a country and western group of line dancers somewhere around here, do you know of them?" "Yes Nicky, it's two towns over they meet once a month I think, and do a lot of competition dancing." "Good, because I'm signing us up." "No way, there is no way I will be putting it all out there learning to dance." "Why not, I think it would be good exercise for us." "You go too far Nicky, and don't think for one minute I don't know what you're up to. The answer is definitely no." Again, he was so suspicious. I looked up the group's name and will book a few lessons for me. Then I will go to learn and then teach him at home. Faith still hasn't announced the night and I must go out to the farm to talk to her about it. There will be costs and I wanted to contribute to the night, after all this is for my town.
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