Date: Sat, 28 May 2016 13:11:47 -0400 From: Eff Del <nolitimere156@gmail.com> Subject: The Oak and the Ash chapter 16 *The Oak and the Ash- Chapter 16* *By Eff Del* Nolitimere156@gmail.com *"Seeing everything with joy, excitement and wonder is one of the most wonderful attributes of youth. Many of us lose that ability as we mature but; for those lucky few who retain it, the world (and life) never really grow old.* *The trick of course, is to try to look at everything as if you were seeing it for the first time. You need to attempt to do this every day and to do it with the joy of youth.* *We never grow too old for this exercise. The world is out there waiting for us; filled with magical things that weren't ever really hiding...they were just waiting for our senses to grow sharper and perhaps just a bit more youthful."* The St. Simons Island Lighthouse stands on the southern tip of that beautiful island off the coast of Georgia. It looks out upon the Atlantic Ocean, the Saint Simon's sound, Jekyll Island (just across the sound) as well as a large stretch of the mainland. It was built in 1872 and stands 102 feet tall. The Coastal Georgia Historical Society meticulously maintains it. Its light room contains a third order Fresnel lens capable of throwing out a triple beam that can be seen on most nights for twenty-three miles. The third order Fresnel lens is one of only seventy such that remain operational in the world. The lighthouse is still an operating aide to navigation and throws its beam from sunset to sunrise every night. The light and lens are maintained by the Coastguard Auxiliary. Despite the fact that it remains a fully functioning lighthouse and navigational aid today, visitors are permitted to climb to the top during the daytime and walk around the gallery. The reward for completing the ascent is to be enchanted and awed by the stunning vistas that can be seen from that pinnacle. The gallery is gained by climbing a spiraling wrought iron staircase of exactly 129 steps. A sparse few windows and some equally sparse electric lamps illuminate the interior of the tower therefore; the climb is accomplished in semi-darkness, which actually increases the adventure. Sean was a vigorous and very fit thirteen-year-old boy, he was gleefully making his way up the spiral stairs, and I was following behind him admiring how the globes of his wonderful butt rolled around in his khaki shorts as he ascended the 129 stairs. We both blinked as we came through the doorway out onto the gallery and faced the bright blue sky. The difference in illumination between the darkness of the tower and the bright daylight was almost overwhelming, but our eyes soon adjusted and he quickly broke into a wide grin. "What am I seein' Dad?" I wrapped an arm around his shoulder and pointed; "That big bridge that you see out there is the `Sydney Lanier bridge'. When I was your age, it didn't exist. There was just a little drawbridge there. We'll drive over it tomorrow because we're going to spend the day on Jekyll Island, which is that island over there. The entire canopy of trees you see before us is St. Simon's Island...the south side and the trees you can just barely see out there, that's Sea Island where we're currently staying. The light is where it is in order to guide incoming ships through the sound and away from sandbars. Until 1934, its beam was created by a kerosene lantern magnified by this magnificent Fresnel lens. The Lighthouse Keeper was required to climb these stairs in the early evening carrying two cans of oil, fill the lamp and light it. He would then climb the tower an average three more times each night to trim the wick on the lamp and re-fuel it. That was a hard life Little Man but, in 1934, they replaced the kerosene lamp with a 1,000 watt lightbulb and shortly after that, they retired the Lighthouse Keeper and maintenance of the light became the job of the Coast Guard. So, to answer your question far more simply Sean, what you're seeing all around you is a great deal of beauty and history." He smiled up at me and snuggled against me as we walked around the gallery. "How about lunch Tiger? Going down is a lot easier than climbing up." He giggled and headed down the staircase. ********************* We were sitting at a rather small table in an extremely popular restaurant in the "Village" that was particularly popular with tourists and well frequented by locals especially after the visitors left. Sean was almost overwhelmed. He'd finished his large cup of `she-crab- soup' and was now digging into his plate of crab cakes. Most people in the country focus on Maryland and North Carolina when they think of crab cakes but those in the know are aware that South Carolina and Coastal Georgia are very much in contention. "Dad...this isn't like anythin' we ever eat at home." "Don't you like it Sean?" "Course I like it. I love it Dad, it's just so different' from what Mrs. Edwards cooks for us." "Well, Sean, you've got to understand that most of what we've been eating since we got here is fresh harvested from the Atlantic Ocean right here off the Georgia Coast. The shrimp are fresh, the crab are fresh, the fish are fresh and; as you know from your adventure yesterday...the oysters are fresh. There's no more magical place in the country if you love this kind of seafood and YOU certainly love seafood Sean. Here in the golden islands of the coast, they have many special ways to cook these local resources that depend upon the freshness of the ingredients just like when we first got here and Julia cooked us shrimp and grits. It almost blew your mind didn't? This is local cooking in a part of this area of the country that is blessed with wonderful fresh products. Back home, we have the finest products but most of our seafood for instance has to be flown in so there is often that small difference. The shrimp that we eat at Joyous Gaurde are flown in just for us but the shrimp you've been eating here are basically right out of the water That's why I keep the house on Sea Island even though I seldom come out here more than two times a year. I just love the food." "When you're better Dad, can we come back here with my brothers?" I smiled at him and recognized how important our family was to him. "Absolutely, Love Bug. I think we'd all have a wonderful time together." ******* We'd driven back to the cottage. Julia was on St. Simon's Island with the boys while they were being evaluated by the private school. Henry was in the drive, attaching the two kayaks to the rack on top of the SUV. Sean and I were in the bathroom of our bedroom completely naked. As I looked at him with a saucy little grin on his face, the desire to drag him over to the bed was almost over-powering but I resisted. "Beautiful as this part of the country is Sean, in OUR part of the country there are no stinging, biting flying insects. The little bugs here, are so voracious and so overwhelming, that they can make you never want to go outside. This stuff I'm going to spray you down with, will repel them while we're paddling through the marsh grass. It's effective for at least five days. It's waterproof so it will still work even after swimming. SKUGGOR scientists developed it about eleven years ago and we haven't yet released the formulae because in some parts of the word, being `invisible' to the biting insects gives us tremendous advantage over an adversary who is exposed to them. Now, stand still and close your eyes. I'm going to spray every inch of you including your hair." He scrunched his eyes tight and stood smiling with his lips closed and I began a methodical covering of his beautiful body. As the spray touched his flat little belly, he giggled. He'd opened his eyes and I continued down his boy body. At some point, he'd obviously gazed over to a mirror. "Holy guacamole! Dad...what's goin' on?" I was startled for a moment before I realized that as the repellant made its first contact, the skin turned a bright orange. It lasted about fifteen minutes as the formula was taken into the skin. Gradually, the skin color returned to normal. I explained all this to him and apologized for forgetting to warn him. "Whew, that makes me feel better Dad! For a minutes there I was afraid I was gonna go through life orange an' I couldn't unnerstan' why you'd want me lookin' like a `Cheetos'!" That made me laugh but I couldn't hug him yet...the spray was still doing its absorption thing. "Not only will you not be a `Cheetos' Sean, as you'll find out as you spray me down, the orange color will be less after every time you've applied the repellent. I'll only take about six minutes and someone...say like...Richard who's used it tactically for years; it takes only about two minutes. Now, it's your turn to spray me down Tiger Cub because we want to get out into the marsh before it's much past ebb." "Who's Ed Dad?" "No...'Ebb' Sean. Tides rise and fall depending upon the movement of the earth although greatly affected by the moon and other factors. There are four specific stages in judging the tide; High tide is the point when the water is deepest and closeted to the shore. Ebb is when the water is beginning to pull back from the shore sort of like half way between High and Low. Low Tide is when the water is furthest away from the shore and then there's Flow Tide, which is when the water is flowing back to high tide. As the world turns, the ocean sort of swirls and rolls across the planet in a rather regular manner. Professor Swaim can certainly explain it better but actually, I think I just did a pretty good job." He meticulously sprayed me down and we waited long enough for neither of us to look like cream sickles before we put on our board shorts and walked out to the drive. "Henry, Julia should be back by six with the boys. How about we plan on going out to dinner? I was thinking about the `Red Barn" for some powerful steaks...too much great sea food can ruin your perspective on life." He grinned and said; "Whatever you say Boss Man. You've already blown my mind." Sean and I drove off the island, over the short causeway and across the larger island and down the longer causeway and parked at the landing. Sean knew how to operate a kayak from his time at the big cabin at Ossa Largo so I just brought the two craft down from the top of the vehicle and Sean pulled them to the edge of the water. "This will be so much more fun without the bugs Little Man." I said as I set my GPS devise. We strapped on our life jackets and drifted out onto the water. Seconds later, we were paddling through the reeds and enjoying the turtles and giant flies and the occasional alligators. Even at ebb tide, there were times that the marsh reeds obscured our view and I realized that it was actually possible to get lost in the marsh and die. It happened a couple of times a year. As we paddled through the tall marsh grass, it was soon as if we were the only people on earth. We quietly observed birds that seldom showed themselves on land. Sean was astonished as we came upon a huge stork nest in the tall branches of a dead tree. "They re-build this nest year after year Sean. It's like an ancestral home for them. "Why did they build a nest in a dead tree Dad?" "When they first built the nest, this tree was very much alive. Over time though, generations of storks have pooped all over this tree and eventually, that accumulated poop killed the tree. There's an old saying; `a wise man doesn't poop where he sleeps'...these storks will find that out, but it will be too late." He gave me a dazzling `Sean smile' We'd been out in the marsh for about an hour and a half and I realized that we'd better start heading back. "Don't worry Sean, we can come back whenever you want. Remember that we own the cottage." "I keep forgettin' stuff like that Dad." We had pulled into the car park of the cottage just as Julia and the boys pulled in behind us. I waved and asked; "How did it go?" She smiled and said; "Actually very well. Neither of the boys needs very much remedial tutoring though it will be available as required. The campus is beautiful and the boys are very excited. Our old car certainly got some looks though. I hope the boys won't be ostracized because we're not rich." "Well in the first place, I'd already checked into that. Not every family with a child attending is `rich' and they are all accepted. Should I hear of any problem, I assure you Julia, we'll nip it in the bud. As far as the car though, I was planning on talking to you and Henry I just didn't think about potential embarrassment at the school or we'd have done it differently. The SUV which is the main vehicle for this estate should now become the utility vehicle; the vehicle that you or Henry drive on a daily basis. We'll match her up with a new SUV that will be the `estate' vehicle. It will be used for property business such as picking up and escorting my guests around the Island but it will also be used for dropping off and picking up the boys at school and any other place so, take your old car and sell it. You've got better transportation now. Now, before I leave, I've got to deal with Henry and that old heap of a pick-up truck of his. That might turn out to be a bigger problem." ... The boys were still dressed in their `good' clothes and they were so excited that they out wiggled Sean. "An Mr. Eric, we get to play sports the real way and I'm trying out for the soccer team." "That's great Todd. Frederica has a very competitive and successful soccer program but I hope you're trying out for the learning team first of all." He grinned. "Oh yes sir. Truly, its learning first and Luke an me understand that." Just at that point, our steaks arrived and the boys had no further interest in conversation. Julia, Henry and I just smiled at each other as we watched the three boys become carnivores. To me it was a perfect view into what the world could so easily be; a young white boy giggling and leaning into two black boys as they wiggled and shared their mutual glee and pleasure. "Perhaps you boys could keep the howling down and finish your dinners like civilized gentlemen?" The three of them looked at Julia and for a moment, it appeared as though serious consideration was taking place and then, simultaneously, they exploded into giggles. Julia shook her head and turned to me. "I'm sorry Mr. Eric but I can promise you that tonight two little butts are going to be scalded." Henry leaned in and spoke softly; "Julia, think about what's going on. We've been moved into the wonderful cottage that is like a mansion to us. The boys are suddenly enrolled in the best school in the area and they've made a new friend what is so bad about any of this? Why can't they enjoy what god has given to them?" She looked at her husband and a long tear rolled down her beautiful cheek. "I'm sorry Henry, it's just that our lives have suddenly become so wonderful that I just want them to behave as perfectly as possible. I don't want them to act like little..." "Don't say it Julia! They were simply acting like little boys and THAT'S what they are. The truth is that they're good boys and you should be proud of them. Don't expect them to be more than that. There is no `perfect' among mankind." "Henry is right Julia." I jumped into the conversation. "They're just happy boys. Let them be that. They don't get that many years to be little boys and trust me; it's not nearly so much fun to be a man." "If I may be so bold as to interject" Doctor Mohamed said; "In this instance, the three boys have not been rude or impolite, but it is impossible to expect young boys to sit still or not amused by the entire word. This is a part of their coming of age. Mrs. Julia, allow them their youth and smile with joy at their adventures which as I've seen are innocent and charming. They'll soon have the rest of their lives to be serious and somber." "Well, I suppose that I've been ganged up on tonight. The beatings are suspended." She giggled and cried at the same time. "Thank you Eric, you've changed our lives and I'll try to not be so stiff backed because my boys are wonderful boys and they will become wonderful men but you're right; they should be allowed to be wonderful BOYS first." The boys were lost in their own giggling among themselves and so, they were brought up short when their plates of Bennie's famous pecan pie were placed before them. Henry and Doctor Mo soon joined in the feeding frenzy while Julia and I enjoyed a cup of coffee and smiled. I looked across the table and watched my little man wiggle and giggle and shoulder punch the two beautiful black boys on either side and I realized that hate was created by parents...hate was created by adults...by older bitter people. Children didn't hate. Children didn't even consider differences. Children were taught all of that spiteful crap by grown up people whose job assuredly was destined to teach them better things...more noble things...more useful things than hate. Their parents, who most likely were taught that vile shit from their parents. It occurred to me that the country was probably full of sweet Grandmas and Grandpas who were gently and lovingly filling their grandchildren's minds with hate and prejudice and were smilingly following up each serving of that hateful bile with handfuls of chocolates and other such sweets. ******************** It was one of those types of nights. The moon was about three quarters waxed and was a bright golden yellow. The long low hanging clouds just above the impossibly beautiful horizon made the moon seem to be speeding at breakneck speed along the open ocean horizon and across the black and purple sky. The little apple of my eye was out like a light and I'd gently extricated myself from the bed. I was searching for some information on the computer in the office adjacent to the master bedroom and as I searched, I suddenly realized that it had been a long time before I'd been this peaceful. At some point during the night, I changed my mind and instead of going to Jekyll Island, I'd decided we were going to Savana tomorrow and I was doing some research. I had a hunch and I needed to make some early morning phone calls. *************************** "Luke and Todd...thank sweet Jesus that you're both with your father today an' you Sean...praise the lord that you're with your own father and the good Lord help any poor person who gets stuck with all three of you together for a whole afternoon." They giggled and proceeded to inhale their bowls of eggs and grits. All three boys lined up to kiss Julia and thank her for breakfast. Each kiss was returned warmly, and followed by a soft smack on the butt. "Change of plans little man. We're going to Savana today, we're going to pay a quick visit to your parents and your grandma and then something we should have done last time we were here." He looked at me quizzically but strangely, he didn't ask anything. I suspect that he just knew that I had something in mind. Bonaventure Cemetery is always a bit spooky to visit and frankly, I'm not certain that I'd like to visit it at night ever. We got out of the rental car and I turned to Doctor Mohamed and said; "Don't feel like you have to go through this with us Doc. This is really something for Sean and me." He smiled. "Thanks Eric, if you don't mind, I'll just walk around and appreciate this wonderful funerary art. I've sort of wondered about this place since I read `Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil' and then saw the movie." "Yep, I understand that. We won't be long and I'll whistle for you if you wonder too far off. By the way, if you're a music buff, Johnny Mercer is just a bit over there." I took Sean's hand and we walked to the knurled old live oak tree. "You're not a little boy anymore Sean and it's time that you make your peace with these wonderful people who are your family. Time and circumstances didn't allow you to know each other but you are family. The last time we were here you were eleven and confused. You're thirteen now and have a much better sense of life, love and family. Through our mutual love, I'm your father now but...these are your parents. They produced you and brought you into this world. Not me. I later found you and brought you into the world we now share. Go make emotional contact with them. Here's a rose for each of them." I handed him two long stemmed roses and urged him toward the flat marble slabs with the two carved ascending birds. He placed the flowers gently against the black stone and stood there for a moment. "The last time I was here I didn't know what to say and so over the past two years, I've actually thought a lot about what I'd say to you if I ever came back. I hope this is OK an' I hope it makes sense an' I hope it doesn't upset you. You are my Mother and Father. You never got the chance to be my Mom and Dad. Some bastard blew your lives away while you were working to save others. I'm so proud to know that about you. It just tells me what great parents you would have been and I only hope that I'm growing up to be the kind of son you would have been proud of. You are my mother, but I've never had a "Mom". I wonder how wonderful that would have been. I look at your picture all the time and your eyes are like my eyes and I wonder what it would have been like to feel your arms around me and hold me close an' tell each other silly stories an' stuff. An' you are my father. Every time I look at your picture, I'm so pleased to know I come from you because of your bravery and you're caring. I want to become a man like you...to become a man you'd be proud of. But, you never got to become a `Dad' either...because of some jerk. I wish I had even a tiny memory of you both but I don't. That doesn't mean I don't love you though." He sniffled as he looked up at me and took the third rose. "Sometimes just before I fall asleep, I almost see you Grandma and you're leaning over me and stroking my hair and singing the craziest songs. Sometimes I remember your kisses an I seem to sometimes remember you kissing your finger and putting it on my forehead an' whispering; `goodnight bunny baby...goodnight.' I didn't remember that until we came here last time." He gently placed the rose upon the black marble slab, he kissed his forefinger and gently touched the stone. "Goodnight bunny grandma...goodnight. I helped him up and we walked to the car and I could tell he was trying very hard not to cry. *************************** As always thank you for your much appreciated input and please remember how grateful NIFTY is for contributions which can be accessed on the home page.