Chapter 21: THE GRAND PLAN PLAYHOUSE

“Folks, Morgan, Stephanie? Knowing that you all respect me, and most of you love me, makes this less difficult. I’m coming out. Emerging from the closet, after all these years. All of you must have wondered about me, at some time. I’m ready to confirm it, I like having sex with other women.

In the particulars of why I announce my preference now, I have discovered that Alma and I have the potential for being happy together, as a couple. We’re going to make an effort at it. Give it a really good try.

We won’t violate your home with, what you consider unnatural, unseemly activities under your roof. I love and respect both of you too much, to put such a strain on your tolerance. Mom, and Dad? I’m hereby giving notice, I’m moving out! Since Morgan gave up his room to Stephanie, He can now have mine. Cold weather’s coming, and I don’t want him freezing, camping in the screened room during winter.

Grandpa built the playhouse for me when I was little. It’s my house. I’m moving it. There’s no privacy where it’s at. We intend to make it a fit habitation suitable for the two of us.”

“Well! This is all so sudden and unexpected. I can’t find any words except, of course, congratulations to you and Alma!” Tom feels a deep sense of loss.

Mom and Morgan arose from their seats and came around to Skeets place at the table, to offer hugs. Skeet came to her feet to accept them. Stephanie and Tom joined in hugging. Tom disappeared and returned with a jug of apple jack. Toasts to the happy couple continued until they emptied the jug

“Where are you going to move the playhouse to, Skeet?”

Morgan fears she might usurp a place at the waterfall. He and Stephanie consider the waterfall, and everything nearby, their private retreat. Both recently surrendered their virginity to each other there. Talk of someday, building a home there together fills their conversations while cuddling and dreaming.

“The waterfall is a quiet place.” Skeet smiles at Morgans consternation, then adds, “But too public. Especially for couples needing privacy.”

Morgan is red faced. Skeet only suspected but now she’s certain. Morgan and Stephanie have gone all the way. Good for them. She hugs him, holds him longer than is comfortable for him. Strokes his hair.

“You and Stephanie drawing up house plans to build near the waterfall?”

Morgan wonders why he hasn’t thought of that. Drawing plans would be great fun for them, and practical. Not wasted time.

“You can have my room in three days, if you help me these next three days, to hang the playhouse in the sky.”

“Sure Skeet! Anything. Glad to help. But you’ll have to explain what you mean. I don’t understand.”

“You will, before we’re done. Want to go scouting and scavenging with me tomorrow?”

“Sure, anytime, every time. Where are we going? Would it be okay to invite Stephanie to come with us?”

“Sure, why not. Invite her. I’ll invite Alma. We’ll pack a picnic basket, and call it a double date. We’re going to town. I’m scouting for building materials. Somewhere in town, someone was interrupted building a new house or refurbishing an old one. Maybe something remain in the builders supply or lumber yards. I intend scavenging construction lumber and who knows what else.”

“Windows and doors?”

“If they’re just lying around for free, of course I’ll use them.”

“How do you hang the playhouse in the sky?”

“By building a lower story under it.” They high fived.

“So, you have plans for the complete house in your head?”

“Some what. I know how it starts. Then, I’ll let it grow on me.”

“Aren’t you concerned, it will look sort of hodgepodge, when it’s finally finished? Architects design homes so they are consistent in style. Do you have a style in mind, a standard for the growing parts?”

“I have a model to work from. There.”

Skeet points at their family’s house, Grandpa constructed many decades earlier. She intends to duplicate the roof lines, angles and degree of overhangs.

Windows and doors will not necessarily match in style, being dependent upon what’s available.

She will pick the most compatible, if she has choices. She will copy the exterior paint scheme, to match.

Morgan is relieved she isn’t planning to build something resembling an oil refinery, castle, or space port in their yard.

“Want to help me stake it out?”

“Stephanie invited me to run with her. I’m available until she’s ready and calls me.”

“Good for her. And it will be good for you, for you both. Once you start running, make it a lifetime habit. I recommend it. Take the end of the tape to the corner of the smithy.”

“Are you going to build onto the smithy?”

“I’m going to build onto the bath-house that’s connected to the smithy. I’m commandeering it.”

“Smart! You already have your bathroom that way. What will you do when you’re sooty and want to clean up? The smithy bath was created to avoid tracking soot into the house. Are you going to track soot into your houses bathroom?”

“I’ll install a wash basin in the smithy, and connect it to the existing bath plumbing. That will have to suffice for initial clean ups. Now, take the tape end to the opposite corner.”

“Alma? Get your sweet lazy cheeks out here. Take over the end of the tape from Morgan. His BOSS is calling him.”

“I’ll be right there, Stephanie, one minute! Skeet? Suppose you’re all dirty working in the smithy, and all of a sudden, you have to go?”

Morgan grins when Skeet, with a jerk of her erected thumb, indicates the woods behind the buildings.

“Suppose it’s number two?”

“That’s something I’ve already thought about, the dearth of toilet facilities considering our increased population. Phil. Stevie, Alma, and Stephanie doubled the size of our family.

I believe we’d be smart, to set up composting toilets, two or several, near the fuel tank and paint storage shed. Maybe, add onto the shed. Modern outhouse, in a rustic style.”

“I’ll help. How does a composting toilet work? Never mind. Tell me later. I’m coming, Stephanie!”

Roy considers his future all night. His family is destroyed, all dead. He’s the last of his line, so far. In order to extend the line, continue the family, requires the assistance of a woman. A wife, and mother to be. The loneliness surrounding him on his remote farm, makes the point, there are no suitable candidates in the area. And none anywhere near by.

Taking stock of his situation, he begins to prioritize. His livestock needs to be recovered from the Franklins, and pronto. An urgent priority born of responsibility for oneself and possessions. The imposition upon his neighbors, to care for his stock, has gone on far too long. It was necessary to impose upon them, while he sought his family. To impose upon them further, so he can wander and seek a wife, would be abusive of their friendship. Not consistent with his code.