Story Hour
Father's Day 2013
Written by Gene B. Williams
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Tom wiped the wooden plaque to make it perfectly clean. It was already sanded and smoothed. Tom got his pencils to draw the scene he wanted. It was a boat in the cove of a lake, with a father and son fishing. The shore behind was thick with tall trees. Tom and his father went to this place often, and sometimes would bring Peter along. Peter was Tom’s new neighbor, and best friend.
“Tomorrow we’ll use paints to finish it,” said Tom. “It will be ready in time for Father’s Day.”
Peter wanted to say that there was no “we” about it. Tom was doing it all. Tom came up with the idea. Tom made the sketches. Tom had sanded the wood plaque to perfection. Tom put the sketches onto the wood. All Peter had done, really, was to watch.
Peter didn’t mind – at least not too much. He wished he had the talent to make beautiful drawings the way Tom could. He wished for something more. He wished that HE had a father. He knew that spot at the lake, though. As he looked at Tom’s drawings, he could almost smell the lake and those trees. He could hear the quiet zzzzzzzz of the fishing line going out over the water, as Tom’s father had taught both boys to do.
Just that moment there was a noise at the door. Tom threw a towel over the plaque. “Hey, what are you boys up to this time?” It was Tom’s father. “I don’t see you packing for our fishing trip on Saturday. We’re expected to get lots of fish for a Father’s Day dinner.”
Tom hesitated just a moment then to Peter’s thrill said, “I’m all ready, Dad. Can Peter come with us?”
“Hmmm, I’ll have to make sure we have another dozen sandwiches and another gallon of lemonade, but … “ … he put a hand on Peter’s shoulder … “WELCOME!”
The next few days went by too slow – and too fast. Peter did what little he could Tom finish the painting. Mostly that meant sitting at the side to say how wonderful it was. Finally, the plaque was done and hidden in a cupboard so the paint would dry – ready for Father’s Day.
Peter didn’t need an alarm clock that Saturday morning. He was up, dressed, packed and he was next door in Tom’s driveway before their lights even came on. It didn’t take long before the three MEN were sitting at the kitchen table, eating a breakfast fit for hundred.
They were on the lake as the sun was coming up. Peter had his own pole – the one with red stripes on the handle. He didn’t catch any fish, but that didn’t matter – not to Peter. He was happy to sit in the boat, throw and crank the line. He was happy to be part of the stories and jokes. He loved their lunch break on the shore. Tom’s mother made corned beef sandwiches with cheese on small rolls, each wrapped, and all of them still toasty warm. (You can find the recipe in Lunch With Nicker.)
“Lemonade or root beer?” the father asked as he opened the ice chest.
The two boys answered at the same time. “BOTH!”
It was a good choice! What would you have with those special corned beef sandwiches there at the side of a lake? I already know your answer. “BOTH!”
At the end of the day, they packed the cooler – now empty except for some remaining ice – with the fish they’d caught. Rods, reels, all went into the car. They made one more check to be sure no trash was left behind and headed for home. In the back seat, Peter drifted into a pleasant sleep.
He woke as the car pulled into the garage. “We’re home, boys,” said the father. “Time to unpack the car.”
Poor Peter. He’d had such a wonderful day, but it was over now. He remembered well another time they’d gone fishing, and that time it wasn’t those delicious sandwiches, they’d pan-fried the fish over an open campfire. Now Peter was looking out into the darkness between Tom’s house and his own home. Such a wonderful day, and Peter could still smell it on his clothes … but it was over. In the morning when the sun came up, Tom and his Dad would have Father’s Day! Peter would have cereal.
Peter thanked them, and meant it, but as he stepped out of the garage, Tom grabbed Peter’s wrist and said, “Dad, it’s a bit early but, Peter helped me make something for you for Father’s Day. We want to give it to you now, before he has to go home.” With that, Tom ran to his room and came back with the plaque … and a big smile. Peter felt a little strange doing it but both boys together said a loud, “HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!” as Tom handed over the plaque.
The father was silent for a moment. “This is so perfect. We’ll put it in the front hall where everyone can see it. It’s exactly right. You got everything!”
Tom reached over. “OH, not EVERYTHING!” He took the plaque and raced off. “Wait here.”
He came back a few minutes later and said, “Don’t touch, it’s still wet. But NOW it is done.”
It was the same beautiful scene … with one difference. In the boat was a father and TWO boys.
Tom’s father put a hand on Peter’s shoulder. Tom just grinned.
“That’s you, Peter,” he said. “Now you have a father … and I have a brother.”
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