Tuesday morning seemed to fly past. About 2 pm. Olivia rang to thank me and the boys for last evening. David had picked up and couldn't stop talking about you all going to England. "I hope you will come over again or maybe we could come round to your home," she said.
Thinking it was a good idea, I agreed. The boys came rushing in like they were on fire. "Guys!"
"Sorry, Dad. John keeps giving me grief about the children's home I was in."
"I only asked if we could go and see it and meet some of your friends. 'Good Grief'! You English don't just half exaggerate."
"Who was it that said Cornwall was a town? It's a county."
"Okay, you guys, enough. So how was your day?"
"Brian has all the girls running after him for a date. They don't even look at me."
"Jealousy will get you nowhere," I said.
"What's for tea, Dad?" Brian said. Changing the subject
"Vegetable soup, steak pie with mashed potatoes, green beans, and gravy. You got a choice of apple or cherry pie. So can you set the table, boys?"
Wednesday morning was slow. John came to the table for breakfast looking like he hadn't slept all night. Brian followed suit a few minutes later. The boys were both upbeat about this being the last day at school. "What time do you get out today, boys?"
John looked up from his cereal, "Can you come to school and meet the teachers and staff? It's a tradition when school ends for the term."
"A bit of warning would have been nice. I could have had something important planned."
"Sorry, Dad, my head's been on England. We have lunch, then go to assembly where the parents meet the staff. The principle says a few words to us kids, then meets some of the parents. I want everyone to know you're my dad. They already know about my brother. Can't get away from him," he said laughing.
Brian looked like darts were coming from his eyes. "I'll be getting even with this family," he said with an evil grin.
"I'll be there just after lunch. I need to see how you guys are behaving."
"DAD!! we're not that bad." There was a wide grin on each of their faces.
"Oh!" I said, looking at them both as serious as I could.
Breakfast finished, dishes put away, "Scoot" I said, or you won't be meeting me at lunch. They walked to school. They weren't giving me a choice, I had to meet them. After they left I went into town, I needed to buy some things for the trip. As usual, when you go shopping you always come back with more than you went for. I bought the boys some new coats, the weather can get really damp. Most places have a pattern when it comes to the weather, but not the UK. I know of nowhere else where you can get all the different weathers in one day. I put the groceries away, then got a well-earned cup of tea. I gave Grace a ring to see how she was progressing. When she first said she would go on this trip she was unsure what to bring with her. "As long as you bring plenty of dry clothes, that would be a start."
I got to school about 1:30. The boys were waiting at the entrance as I got there. We walked back into the school and saw the principal in the hallway walking toward us. He shook my hand. "How are my two bad boys doing?"
"They are getting better by the day" I said laughing.
"Dad!!"
Mr. Turner laughed at the exchange. Well, no blood's been spilled, so things must be improving." We walked down the hall, it was a hive of conversation. What surprised me was the gym teacher, came over, shook my hand, and apologised. He said he got told later what had happened and was a little disturbed that he'd jumped to conclusions without checking or asking questions. After shaking his hand I noticed Brian looked a bit peeved. I gave John a nod looked at the gym teacher and said we'd go and meet some of the other teachers, but hopefully talk later. John put his arm around Brian's shoulder and we walked off.
I again spoke to the principal when he came over. I asked how the fund was going for the kids. He wasn't sure but would go and check the records. A few minutes later he came back holding a folder. He scouted through it briefly, "According to this we have raised another $3,000." Brian looked miffed.
We walked away to meet other members of the staff. "I thought we would have raised more than that," he said. Just then he walked off, went to the principal and asked him something. Next minute Brian was on the stage.
He picked up the microphone. Before Mr. Turner could do anything he started to speak.
"You know me, Brian Gould. If this is being ignorant then let it be," he said. "I thought our funds for the kids would have been more after the 'bring and buy'. But it seems that people think now that they've done something their conscience is clear. Please, I don't mean to be disrespectful, but I thought this community really thought this was a cause worth fighting for. You shake my hand saying how good I was thinking of other people. However, it seems I can't say the same for you. I was getting depressed because people were saying how good I was. But I will get depressed even more as I am not going to let this go. You're probably thinking... 'He can't come into this country and tell us what we can do'. Brit or not, I'm not letting this drop." He walked off the stage and went outside. John went after him.
When I got to the car, I saw John and Brian sitting on the bonnet. Brian had a look of determination. Anger,? I don't know. "Sorry, Dad, I didn't mean to embarrass you." Before I could speak he started to walk away from the car.
John was going to go after him till I stopped him. "Let him go, he needs some space, time to think." I don't think he liked it but went along with it. He got in the car, put his seatbelt on, then quiet. "This may help his state of mind. Sometimes we need a kick to get us out of our reverie."
An hour after we got back, Brian walked in as cool as you like. I'm sorry, you guys, but this means a lot to me. Can I use the phone, Dad?" He walked over before I could answer and started dialling a number. "Can I speak to John Stevens, please?" I looked at John. "Will you ask him to ring me when he gets in? Thank you. Brain Gould. Yes. Bye. Can I have a drink of pop, Dad?" Then he went and sat in the living room.
When John gave him his drink, he got up saying, "if Mr. Stevens calls, would you come and get me," then walked out. Stunned, John followed him. When they came back about 20 minutes later, John wasn't pleased.
"I'm sorry, dad, I got up tight. Thanks, John." John didn't expect that. "I rang Mr. Stevens from the newspaper. I wanted to ask him if he'll follow-up."
The phone rang. John picked it up, "Yes, sir, I'll get him."
"Yes, Sir, I was hoping you'd do a follow-up on the kids? It looks like this has been forgotten. No, I don't think I'm pushing. These kids need someone. Yes. No. If you won't, I'll find someone that will. See you tomorrow about one. Thank you. Bye. Mr. Stevens said he'd be here after one tomorrow to see what he can do," then he laughed. "Dad, do you have the name of the reporter from the TV we spoke to at the sale?"
I don't think I'd ever seen him this determined. "I don't, but look in the phone book for the station."
"Nah! We'll let Mr. Stevens do it."
Thursday, John Stevens knocked on the door. "Come in, Brian will be glad to see you."
Brian came to the front door, "Hi, glad you could come." They went into the living room while I got the drinks.
"Coffee? You kids, soda?"
"The principal said they raised $3,000, so they think they've done their bit now. They think that's it, but it's not. With what I put in the bank and with the collection boxes we have raised about $9,000, that won't get them a week's holiday. Please help me, I'll try and pay you if I have too. I don't have much, but I'll give you all I have."
The conversation went on for another 2 hours before we had lunch, which Mr. Stevens accepted. He left shortly after four. The rest of us went down to the lake to talk and relax. John stayed close to Brian talking.
Nothing more was said about the kids, but you could see Brian had not forgotten about it. It seemed that his being down about the whole thing had changed to determination. We must have been sitting there for more than an hour and a half before we went back to the house. I rustled up some sandwiches and ice cream for dinner.
"Dad, don't be mad at me, I need to do this. Not for me, but for them. Us kids don't really have a voice. I have an idea, but don't want to say anything yet. And I'll need your help"
"Son, you'll never know how proud I am of 'you' and John." I turned to John and said that I thought no less of him than I did Brian. He went to Brian and put his arm around his shoulder. That told me he wasn't jealous of the praise Brian was getting.
The rest of the day went as normal, nothing unexpected happening. We watched a movie before going to bed. Friday morning was hectic. With the cottage being near the lake, neighbours can be a distance from one another and it's usually very quiet, so you can imagine the surprise when at eight in the morning I opened the door to see crowds of people outside. The commotion must have woken the boys. They stood in awe at the amount of people that were there. "What's happening, Dad?" John asked.
"I don't know, Son. I was going to put the rubbish out and when I opened the door this is what I saw." This looked like reporters and the media. As I looked at the crowd that had apparently taken residence I saw a woman coming up to the door. I told the boys to go inside.
"Can I speak to Brian Gould? He does live here?"
"Can you tell me what about? It's eight in the morning, why would you want to talk to my son? Don't answer that," I said, and went inside. "Brian, ring Mr. Stevens, I have a feeling this is his doing." For the next hour and a half John Stevens did not pick up his phone. Then miraculously he answered.
Brian gave me the phone, "Will you please tell me what can of worms you've opened. Yes, I'm Steve Gould. Well, will you come here and sort this out, like right now?" My two sons for once where speechless. "Here it is, guys, Mr. Stevens put some feelers out to find if any businessmen or people that he knew would be willing to give some time or money to help the homes and the kids. It seems the media has gotten hold of it and see a story. He's on his way over now to do I don't know what. You guys stay inside till this is sorted. Now who's for breakfast?" (Silly question).
Just after ten, John Stevens arrived. I opened the door "News travels fast" was all he said. "You certainly have a way with words, and you really know how to state the obvious," I told him.
He went outside to talk to the press while the boys and I talked about the holiday. Ten minutes later he came in asking if Brian could go talk to them "Do you want to, Son?"
"Do you know how much I love it when you call me, Son. If John can come out with me." John was in his glory. Whatever John thought of his brother doubled in that one second it took to ask. They went outside shoulder to shoulder. John Stevens joined them. The woman that came to the door was the first to speak.
"Brian."
"Yes, Mam."
"Why do you want to get donations for the orphanage? They get money from the state which is given to support them. It seems to me that someone is trying to make a name for himself from the woes of others. I've seen people end up in prison for the same thing, trying to make fast money at someone else's expense."
"You were the reporter that covered this when we had the sale at the school. You know this was to help the kids, give them the same chance as any other kids. Donations are not just for the orphanage in town, it's for all the kids that live in homes all over Canada. Money is a big help, but they need people to notice them, ordinary people to help them. Kids without families get noticed for the wrong reasons. Some of them are treated like lepers. At school they are to be avoided because they are different. Whatever is raised would be added to the money that the home already get and would help to get things they need, or maybe for them to go out for the day. Pleasures other kids take for granted. You're reporting this because you see a story. I think that if you were my mother, I'd want to go live in the orphanage. I wouldn't want to live with you. I was telling all you adults who said what a good boy I was that I didn't deserve it. I wanted the attention to be focused on the kids. Well, Now I want you to focus on me. I still don't deserve the attention, but if you're talking about me, then the kids are not forgotten." Brian was getting angry and upset in the same measure at what the woman was saying. He walked inside to get away from what was happening.
John asked the reporter to leave, which she refused till she was told the police would be called. As she was walking away John Stevens told her that she hadn't heard the last of what had been said. John then followed his brother. For brothers, they were really close. John Stevens stayed and talked to the reporters. When I went inside John was holding Brian.
"Brian, don't let her get to you. We know you're genuine and anybody with any sense will see that too." John, the quiet one, got up and went back outside.
"You are all a bunch of hypocrites. The most genuine person I know feels about two feet tall because of what you just accused him of. Is it because he isn't from here, or maybe it's because an outsider has knocked your pride, made you sit up and take notice? I for one don't care where he's from. You are living in British Columbia. If only by name he has a right to be here."
When he turned round Brian was there. "Thanks, bro. I have never seen the money that was raised, all collections went to the bank." John Stevens turned and said we had a case for libel. With that we went indoors. John Stevens asked to use the phone to ring the paper. He said he was going to have a field day with what had happened. When he came back into the living room he said the paper was going to get their lawyers on it.
Over the next couple of days the commotion died down. John Stevens got transcripts of the interview and the accusations of the TV reporter from his colleagues. He needed to have proof so they couldn't wriggle out of it. With All this happening before we were to go on holiday, I thought this would knock Brian, but I was wrong, he seemed more determined than ever.
Sunday afternoon Brian asked if he could give David Brown a ring. "Go for it, Son. He'll probably be glad he has someone to talk to."
"Hi, David. You did? Wow. I know, I was terrified. I'm glad you saw the interview because that's why I'm ringing. Sometimes I get to feel really low and it's depressing, but sometimes you have to kick butt. To win you have to fight. I know you get low, but David you have to fight. You can beat this and come out the other side smiling. It's gonna be tough, but you're still here, so you haven't lost yet. And it beats feeling down all the time. My dad said to me, 'Sometimes you have to get up and smell the roses.' We're in this together just like all the other kids. You want what? I think Big Ben will be a bit heavy to carry. Oh! The souvenir." I said Laughing. "I was joking. Yeah, us English get like that now and then. Okay, you'll ring next time? Bye."
"Who was that, bro?"
"David. I Thought I'd ring and see how he is."
"What was that about 'Us English get like that sometimes'?"
"He said he wanted a Big Ben souvenir and I said it would be too heavy to carry, then in a polite way he said that I was daft."
John just laughed. "He might be right." For that he got a punch.
"We gotta be fair, football I know that you're just learning football, but you didn't even know how to kick a ball."
"Well, our balls are smaller than yours." He went as red as a beetroot when he realised what he'd said, then he ran to the bathroom. I laughed so hard I was crying.
"JOHN!!! No running. What was all that about?"
John came back into the living room, "Err, Nothing, just Brian being English."
Monday was nearly a carbon copy of Friday. The News Channel had been contacted by the local newspapers. The Chronicle's lawyers were threatening to bring a civil action against the reporter that interviewed Brian. A Mr. Stone was ringing me to say that there was nothing said about Brian trying to use funds for his own benefit. "Mr. Stone, I have the interview on tape and in writing showing exactly what was said and inferred. All future conversations should be made with the Chronicle's lawyers." With that I replaced the handset.
Tuesday we took the boat out and did some fishing. I actually caught the biggest fish. There is a god. After the fish were gutted, much to the chagrin of the lads, we grilled the fish on an open fire. I put pepper on my fish, the boys', especially Brian, soaked their fish in butter. Brian asked to go for a walk to the lake. "Okay, but be back before it gets dark," was my reply. John wanted to go, but Brian asked John to stay and help me clean up.
As we were cleaning up, John started to ask about the holiday.
"Dad, what if Brian wants to stay when he gets back to England? After all, It's where he was born and grew up."
I said to sit down while we talk. "I don't know, John, but I'm sure Brian wouldn't do anything without talking to you about it first. Would you want to stay if he decided he wanted to go back to England?"
"I would stay where ever you or Brian wanted to stay, but it's frightening what it would be like away from where I was born and grew up."
"That's one of the reasons we're going back to England. I'm not sure I took Brian from his home for the right reasons. When I first thought about going back, it was just to get him away from all that is happening. But when Brian talked about missing his roots, I decided to extend it to let him work out where he wants to be. I don't know if he'll want to stay or comeback here where I hope he can settle for good. But whatever happens, you are part of this family and always will be. And don't you forget it."
"I know, and I love you too. But if he decided to stay, would we still come back here? I'll go where he wants to go, he's my brother and I love him. But I was born here and it would be hard."
"Let's just see where this takes us, then if need be we'll cross that bridge when we come to it, okay?"
"Sure, Dad." Just then Brian decided to make an appearance by letting us know he was back.
"Hi, Dad. John. Did you miss me?"
"How can you miss silence? It was quiet before, but now?" John shot back.
After we had a good laugh at Brian's expense we went to bed. "Oh, for a quiet day."
"One can only hope."