|
The Present
In the past
installment, we learned that although Dan preferred to live with his uncle
Regan, he quickly grew fond of both Mr. Maypenny and chopping wood. J Our story resumes in the Here and Now
Universe. The years passed, and Dan
strengthened in body, soul, and mind. He was transformed from the black
jacket wearing-hoodlum to a scarlet-coated, helpful Bob-White. His sullen
attitude disappeared, and soon the real Daniel William Mangan was allowed to
emerge. Good-natured, cheerful, helpful, witty… These were the attributes
that dwelled below the once sulking surface. Though it was a challenge because of
all the days of school he’d skipped during his time with the Cowhands, Dan managed
to graduate high school on schedule right along with his best friend, Mart
Belden. In spite of the whirlwind of activities, he often took time to stop
and appreciate his new life. He’d traveled from the busy streets of New York
City to a rustic cabin in the middle of the forest. He’d forsaken the
hurry-scurry-worry life of a rebellious gang member and (in spite of his
initial reluctance) embraced the existence of a cheerful, optimistic
woodsman. Never in a million years would Dan
have thought the simple life could be so sweet. There were lows amongst all his
highs. Sadly, Tim Cramer and Bruce Finley, the boys Dan had befriended upon
first arriving in Sleepyside, were killed in an automobile accident the night
of their senior prom. Once again Dan thanked God for the old man who had
pressured him to choose his company a bit more wisely. However, Dan did enjoy pointing out that Mart
didn’t just talk a lot when he was nervous; Mart talked a lot all the time. As he’d dreamed for so long, Dan
planned to attend the New York Police Academy to become a cop. To better
prepare himself for his vocation, he decided to enroll at “Are you nervous?” the old man
questioned. “Nah,” Dan answered, with a slight
shake of his head. “I think it’ll go okay. My grades were really good this
year, all A’s except for those two B’s in physics and Trig. And although I
haven’t been able to participate in a bunch of extracurricular activities, I have done a lot of charity work with
the Bob-Whites. It helped Brian get that scholarship to Harvard, you know.” “I can help you with the college
expenses if you need me to,” Mr. Maypenny offered. “I know Regan’s saved up a
couple thousand to give to you, but from what Jim has told me, books alone
cost an arm and a leg.” “No, I’ll be okay,” Dan insisted.
“Even if I don’t get this scholarship, I’m going to college. I’m determined to be the first Regan or Mangan
to get a degree of some kind, besides at the school of hard knocks, that is.” Mr. Maypenny smiled proudly at the
young man who he’d raised as his own for the past three years. “Well, you
know I can give you a little, if you need it.” “You’ve done too much for me
already, Mr. Maypenny,” Dan said, casting an affectionate glance at the man
he once suspected of being an ax murderer. “If John Jay doesn’t give me a
full scholarship, I’ll just find a part-time job. I’ll get by, even if I have
to live on bologna sandwiches and Little Debbie snack cakes.” “Well, you do your best at that
interview, hear?” “I will,” Dan agreed with a sheepish
grin. “I’ve got a speech all written out for the questions Jim and Brian said
they might ask me. Mart helped me make sure I used the right grammar and crap
like that.” “I hope you know what all the big
words mean,” Mr. Maypenny cracked dryly. “Mart told me to look ‘em up.” Dan
chuckled in amusement. “I had to have him pronounce a few of them for me,
though. I couldn’t say half of them.” “What’re you wearing to this
interview?” Dan shrugged his shoulders as he
popped a bite of buttermilk biscuit into his mouth. “What I always wear.
Black jeans, T-shirt, cowboy boots.” “Oh.” Though he didn’t say anything
else, it was obvious that Mr. Maypenny disapproved of Dan’s choice of attire. “I’m gonna wear my nice black jeans,” Dan added, sensing
the older man’s disdain. “Not the ones with the holes in the knees.” However, Mr. Maypenny didn’t seem
any more pleased. “Will you be making a trip to the barber?” Dan shook his head, allowing his
longish black hair to move around slightly. “No, I just went last week.” “Oh.” Dan chewed his food carefully
although he couldn’t taste a single bite. He glanced over at Mr. Maypenny, a
worried expression clouding his dark features. “Is something wrong?” Mr. Maypenny wiped his mouth with a
napkin and then laid it neatly in his lap. “Daniel, I rather hoped you’d put
more effort into your appearance for this interview, especially since you
want a scholarship so badly.” “I think I look fine,” Dan answered
matter-of-factly. “I won’t look any different than everybody else that’ll be
interviewed.” “Exactly,” Mr. Maypenny replied.
“You’ll like every other rebellious teenage boy that’s looking for a
handout.” “I’m not ‘looking for a handout’,” Dan disagreed hotly, his Regan
temper quickly rising to the surface. “And I’m not rebellious, either!” “I
know that, Daniel,” Mr. Maypenny told him kindly. “I think you’re a fine,
upstanding young man who has struggled hard to make amends of his past. But
you have to admit that in that
get-up you look like the ‘rebel without a cause’.” Dan shrugged in response. “Maybe I like that look.” Mr. Maypenny paused for a moment. It
was on the tip of his tongue to ask if Dan thought those in charge of
bestowing scholarships would like that look, but he decided to take another
route. “What did Brian Belden wear to his interview with the administrators
of Harvard?” “I’m going to John Jay, not some
snooty Ivy League school.” “Are you saying you’re not good
enough for Harvard?” “No!” Dan stormed. “John Jay may not
be as expensive or as well-known, but it’s as good a school as any!” “Exactly.” Mr. Maypenny smiled in
satisfaction as Dan proved his point. “So, what did Brian wear?” “I dunno,” Dan answered reluctantly.
“The girls were talking about my interview a couple of days ago, and I think
Trixie mentioned that when Brian had his, he wore a pair of tan Dockers, a
light blue polo shirt, and a navy sport jacket. But that’s different! I mean,
we’re talking about Brian ‘Mr. Responsible’ Belden.” “Does he usually wear those types of
clothes?” “Nooo,” Dan drawled out slowly, his
tone signifying he’d answered against his will. “He usually just wears jeans
and T-shirts, like me. But just because Brian got all gussied up doesn’t mean
that I have to.” Mr. Maypenny put down his fork in
order to give Dan his full attention. “Daniel, when I remember what you were
like when you first arrived in Sleepyside, I stand amazed.” The older man’s gray eyes shone with
emotion. “I’m so proud of you, son. I may be prejudiced, but none of the
Bob-White kids have worked harder to get where they are than you. When you
first came here, you were on probation and couldn’t even blow your nose
without having the court check your tissue. Now, this Judge Armen is sending
a letter of recommendation along with you on your interview. Do you realize
what that says about your progress?” “Then what does it matter what I wear to some stupid meeting?”
Dan demanded. “You want to prove Judge Armen
right, don’t you?” Mr. Maypenny inquired sternly. “You want to call him with
news of a big scholarship, don’t you?” “Well, yeah, but—” “People are judged according to
their appearance, son,” Mr. Maypenny explained gently. “Like it or not, the
world forms an opinion of us the minute they see us based upon how we look
and how we’re dressed. Remember what you thought of Jim and Brian when you
first met them?” “Yeah.” “Was that opinion correct?” “No,” Dan muttered. “What was your opinion of me when we
first saw each other?” Dan looked over at the old man, a
mischievous twinkle in his coal black eyes. “I thought you were a crazy old
coot.” “Well, in that instance you were
correct.” Mr. Maypenny’s own eyes were sparkling with merriment. “But you
proved my point.” “If you’re so worried about first
impressions, then why don’t you
dress more normal?” “Because I’m not going to an interview which will determine if I’m
eligible for financial aid,” Mr. Maypenny retorted. “I don’t care if the
teenagers snicker when they see me in Lytell’s. They won’t affect my future
one iota. And for that matter, I
think they look dumber than a
barrel of hair wearing their britches halfway down their hind-ends, showing
their drawers.” “I don’t see the difference,” Dan
remarked crossly. “If you aren’t worried about what people will think, why
should I be?” “Daniel, do you remember what I wore when I
enrolled you in school?” “Yeah,” Dan mumbled. “What was it, son?” “A suit,” Dan answered quietly. “A
really crappy one that didn’t fit right, but it was a suit.” “Yes, that’s because I wanted to
make a good impression as your caregiver,” Mr. Maypenny said. “I didn’t want
the school officials to think less of you because your ‘crazy old coot’ of a
guardian was wearing his usual woolen knickers and turtleneck sweaters.” Dan sighed in defeat. “So what’re
you saying?” “Well, I’m not telling you that you have to buy a whole new wardrobe to wear
to college, if that’s what you’re thinking,” Mr. Maypenny replied. “I’m just
saying that there are certain situations in a man’s life when he needs to
buck up and look presentable. Weddings, funerals, church services, job
interviews… Sometimes you need to dress respectably, Daniel.” “You want me to rent a tuxedo?”
Dan’s tone dripped with sarcasm. “A sport coat will be fine.” “But everyone else will be in
jeans,” Dan grumbled. “Yes, but you want to stand out in a positive manner. You want to present yourself in a manner that’ll show those
college administrators what a fine, exceptional young man you are.” Mr. Maypenny looked hard at Dan, who was
brooding in the seat across from him. “Daniel, I don’t care what Tom, Dick,
and Harry wear to this meeting. I want your
outward appearance to reflect what’s inside. In my opinion, there’s nobody
more worthy of this scholarship than you. You exemplify the all attributes
one needs to become a fine officer of the law. Let your clothes reflect the man
beneath them.” “Well, I’ll think about it,” Dan agreed
half-heartedly. Mr. Maypenny took out his wallet
from the back pocket of his knickers. He peeled off a couple of
hundred-dollar bills and laid them in front of Dan, who’d been watching with
great curiosity as the old man thumbed through the money in his wallet. “What’re those for?” Dan looked at
the money almost as if he expected it to jump over and bite him. “Those are for you, just in case you
change your mind and decide to get yourself some new duds.” Dan shook his head. “You might as
well keep your money, Mr. Maypenny. My mind’s already made up.” “Well, then consider it a
contribution to your book fund. I never had kids of my own to put through
school, so I’d count it an honor if you’d let me give you a bit of money from
time to time to help provide for your education.” “Aw, you just want to be able to
complain to everyone how expensive college is,” Dan teased with a grin.
However, he knew if he didn’t take the money, Mr. Maypenny would be offended,
so he stuck it in his pocket. “Thanks, Mr. Maypenny. I really appreciate it.” “I know you do,” the old man
replied. “I hope you aren’t angry with me for speaking my mind. We’ve always
tried to be honest with each other, lad.” “I’m not mad,” Dan told him
honestly. He stood up from the table. “Where’re you going?” Mr. Maypenny
inquired. “I need to go chop some wood.” “We have plenty.” Dan merely shrugged his broad
shoulders as he walked to the back door. “I know, but we can always use
more.”
A couple days later, Mr. Maypenny
was in the utility room running clothes through the old wringer washing
machine. The slamming of the front door caused him to look towards the
kitchen. “Mr. Maypenny!” Dan called. “Are you
here?” “I’m in the utility room, Daniel!”
He returned to his task and soon he heard footsteps pounding across the
knotty pine floor. “Are you busy?” Dan asked eagerly. “Of course I am, son. Idle hands
breed evil thoughts.” “Could you tell me whatcha think of
something?” “Sure.” Mr. Maypenny looked up,
gasping as his eyes appraised the young man standing before him. Instead of the usual black jeans,
black T-shirt, cowboy boots, and BWG jacket, Dan was wearing a pair of black
dress pants, a gray-speckled sport coat, a white oxford shirt, a conservative
red and black striped tie, and black wing-tipped leather dress shoes. The
only thing out of place was the ball cap on his head, which bore the insignia
of “Do you like it?” Dan held his arms
out a little, moving around in a circle to model his new outfit. “Daniel,” Mr. Maypenny murmured,
“don’t you look dapper? I can’t believe the difference!” “The girls helped me,” Dan admitted
sheepishly. “Well, Honey and Di, at least. Trixie mostly just complained that
we were taking too long. We couldn’t find anything at Crimpers, so we drove
to “They chose well,” Mr. Maypenny
remarked admiringly. “Now your
outside matches your inside.” “Look!” Dan exclaimed, pulling up
one of his pant legs to reveal a black sock. “I’ve even got fancy socks! I
was going to wear normal white ones with it because it seemed stupid to buy a
pair of $5.00 socks to wear with one outfit, but the girls told me I’d look
like an idiot. But I like ‘em now! Look at the cool designs on them.” “Very sharp,” Mr. Maypenny agreed
with a nod. “And look,” Dan said proudly, “a
tie! That’s better than Brian’s polo shirt, wouldn’t you say?” “I would.” “I’m gonna have to wear a tie
eventually anyway for the “You look quite spiffy,” Mr.
Maypenny assured him. He quirked a bushy white eyebrow at the young man. “I
assume you won’t be wearing that hat during your interview.” “That’s the best part!” Dan whipped
the baseball cap off his head, revealing a military-style haircut. The back
of his hair was closely cropped to his head, his sideburns neatly trimmed.
The top was a bit longer, spiking slightly to the right. “Whaddaya think?” “I think I can finally see your
ears,” Mr. Maypenny teased. “I wasn’t sure you had any.” Dan grinned. “Yeah, the barber even
gave me white floors.” “Whitewalls,” Mr. Maypenny corrected
with a smile. Dan looked up at the old man, his
onyx-colored eyes desperately pleading for approval. “Do you like it?” “I like it very much, son. But the
important question is: Do you like
it?” “I didn’t think I would,” Dan
admitted. “I had plans to grow it back out right after the interview, but now
I’m not so sure. I actually kinda like it.” “Good!” “And the best part is that the girls assured
me that I looked very hot,” Dan
added with the devastating grin for which he was famous. “Hmm… I’d think your new haircut
would be a lot cooler,” Mr. Maypenny remarked, scratching his chin curiously. Dan chuckled in amusement. “Not that kind of hot, Mr. Maypenny. The girls meant that I look attractive.” “Oh,” Mr. Maypenny muttered, a
quizzical look on his weathered face. He could never keep track of the slang
the kids used these days. “Well, Daniel, you look very respectable. I
wouldn’t be surprised if the people at the college agreed.” “Thanks! Well, I’d better get
outside.” “Do you have plans?” “Nah, I was just going to chop some
wood,” Dan told him. “I thought we already had more wood
than we needed?” “We do,” Dan answered with a grin,
as he headed for the back door. “But I kinda like doing it now.” “Daniel?” The young man stopped in tracked and
turned to look quizzically at his guardian. “You might want to change your
clothes first, lad,” Mr. Maypenny suggested, an amused smile twitching at the
corners of his lips as he pointed to the dress clothes Dan was wearing. “Oh, yeah.” Dan hustled through the
kitchen to his bedroom, only pausing long enough to cast a sheepish grin in
the elderly man’s direction. Mr. Maypenny watched his departure
with great affection. He nodded slightly, and then whispered to himself,
“He’s going to do just fine.”
Dan got the scholarship for During his high school graduation
four years before, he’d pleaded with Mr. Maypenny to attend. However, little
known to most, the old man suffered from a mild case of agoraphobia, which
made it difficult for him to be around large crowds. Though he’d wanted to
attend Dan’s graduation at the Sleepyside Junior-Senior High School Football
Stadium, he asked Jim to tape it on one of those “contraptions” that would
make a tape which he could watch on television. Jim agreed, and the day after
graduation, he loaded one of the Wheelers’ many TV sets and VCRs into his
ancient Jeep Scout and set them up at the cabin. Mr. Maypenny gathered around
with the Bob-Whites, watching Dan and Mart’s graduation ceremony. The old
man’s eyes grew a bit misty when Dan’s name was called and he went up on the
stage to receive his diploma. Before the graduation ceremony at
John Jay four years later, Dan never even asked Mr. Maypenny to attend. He
knew that though the old man wanted
to come, it would just be too difficult for him. When he went up front to
accept his degree, Dan was surprised to see a tall, wiry, white-haired man
dressed in an ill-fitting suit standing in the very back of the crowded
auditorium. He cast a triumphant smile in Mr. Maypenny’s direction and was
rewarded with a somber salute. Now, as he sat on the podium with
the other cadets who’d just graduated from the New York State Police Academy,
his heart swelled with pride. Dressed in his crisp navy blue dress uniform,
his onyx-colored eyes welled with tears as he remembered all he’d overcome to
arrive at this point in his life. As he stood to receive his certificate and
badge, he peeked at the back of the auditorium. Sadly, Mr. Maypenny wasn’t
there. Some hoots from the middle of the
audience caused Dan to look in that direction. There, taking up several rows,
were the Bob-Whites, the Beldens, the Wheelers, Miss Trask, the Delanoys and,
most surprising of all, even Mr. Lytell. The front rows had been reserved for
family members, and Dan knew Regan would be sitting close to the stage by
himself. Mart, Di, Trixie, Honey, Brian, Jim, and Jim’s current girlfriend,
Felicity Carson, were clapping, although the blonde chick by Jim looked like
she could care less. The current
float in Jim’s ABC parade of Trixie-substitutes, Dan thought
with a grin. When the award for the cadet with
the highest achievement was given to Daniel William Mangan, several Bob-White
whistles echoed through the auditorium. Dan proudly accepted the award,
looking towards the front as a photographer snapped pictures of him standing
with the master-of-ceremony. He glanced at the front row, where his uncle
sat. He gasped in total shock as he saw
who was in the seat beside Bill Regan. On the very front row of the crowded
auditorium sat a visibly nervous Elijah Maypenny. His gnarled hands were
clasped in his lap and tears were streaming down his weather-beaten face. As
Regan cheered along with the Bob-Whites, Mr. Maypenny raised a fist in
victory. As soon as the ceremony ended, Dan
hurried out to the crowd to greet his friends. Regan and Mr. Maypenny
patiently waited while the Bob-Whites and their families bombarded the new
police officer with hugs and murmurs of congratulations. The group finally
left Dan to return to the Manor House, where a party would be held in his honor.
Once the Bob-Whites were gone, Regan
was able to embrace his nephew, his ruddy, freckled face beaming with pride. “Your parents would be so proud,”
Regan whispered. “I know they’re looking down on you from Heaven now, their
Irish eyes a’ smilin’. The first Regan to graduate, and not only from
college, but also from the police academy.” “Thanks.” Dan blushed, enjoying the
praise from his uncle. Regan didn’t hand out compliments often; when he did
offer them, they were genuine and heartfelt. Regan pulled away a bit and placed
his hands on his nephew’s broad shoulders. “I’m proud of you, too. I always knew you could do it, Dan.” Dan’s heart swelled with pride. The
beginning of their relationship had been difficult, but through the years,
the two stubborn Irishmen had grown very close. This moment would be one that
Dan would remember years from now. “I’d better go find the Wheelers,”
Regan said abruptly, his voice catching with emotion. “I wouldn’t want them
to leave without me. Mr. Wheeler offered to drive me here.” When Dan looked over and saw the
tears in his uncle’s eyes, he understood the sudden departure. As long as
he’d known Regan, the older man had never been comfortable showing his
feelings. After he waved good-bye to his uncle, Dan turned to Mr. Maypenny. “Didn’t think I’d see you here,” he
commented, a happy smile on his face. “I wouldn’t have missed this for the
world, Daniel,” Mr. Maypenny told him sincerely. Mr. Maypenny was not a “huggy” person,
so Dan stuck out his hand. Unlike their first meeting, he shook the old man’s
hand with strength and assurance. “I wouldn’t be here today if it
weren’t for you,” Dan murmured, blinking back a tear or two. “Of course you would,” Mr. Maypenny
disagreed. “I didn’t do much.” Dan snorted in disbelief. “Nah, you
didn’t do much, just feed me, clothe me, put up with my crappy attitude, work
my scrawny butt off…” Mr. Maypenny chuckled. “Well, at
least you can say that you survived Wood-Chopping 101. And you know, there were a few principles taught along the
way.” “Ah, principles,” Dan murmured
thoughtfully, scratching his chin. “So that’s what they’re calling ‘slave
labor’ these days.” Mr. Maypenny’s expression was
wounded. “Surely you wouldn’t begrudge an old man a few logs.” One look told Dan that Mr. Maypenny
was not really hurt; there was clearly a twinkle in his wintry-gray eyes. He
wrapped one arm around the old man’s shoulders. “Not at all. In fact, I’ve
got the itch to chop down a few more trees, if there’re any left, that is. I
think I’ll head out to the woods after we get back to Sleepyside.” “Seriously, I’m very proud of you,
son,” Mr. Maypenny told him. He reached over and clasped one gnarled hand
gently around Dan’s forearm. “May the good Lord bless you as you begin your
new career. You’re a minister now, you know.” “Huh?” Dan’s eyebrows knitted with
curiosity. “I’m a minister?” “You certainly are,” Mr. Maypenny
assured him. “The Bible says those who maintain law and order are ordained by
God to protect people.” “Really?” Mr. Maypenny nodded. “The good book
says in Romans, ‘For he’— talking about an officer of the law— ‘is the
minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be
afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God,
a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.’ ” “Cool.” Dan cocked his head
thoughtfully. “I didn’t know cops were ministers. But do I have to be
celibate?” Mr. Maypenny choked suddenly. After
he had finishing coughing, he replied, “Ministers aren’t celibate like
priests, Daniel. Besides, you aren’t a minister of the gospel, only of the
law. Although I hope you’ll use some
discretion in that particular area…” Dan’s grin told the old man he’d
been joking, as he was often prone to do. “I promise to always abstain.” With
a suggestive waggle of his dark brows, he added, “Whenever I’m on duty, that
is.” Mr. Maypenny’s whiskers twitched with the
effort of suppressing a smile. Dan led the way to the parking lot
and glanced around at the hundreds of spaces filled with vehicles. His ebony
brows furrowed as he suddenly remembered something. “Hey, how’d you get here
anyway? On the bus?” “Afraid you’re going to have a
hitchhiker on the back of your Harley?” Mr. Maypenny asked with a chuckle. “If you can find a helmet, you’re
welcome to hop on,” Dan replied teasingly. “Just hang on tight because I’ve
got immunity from the speed laws.” “I certainly hope you’re joking,
Daniel.” Dan laughed uproariously, thoroughly
enjoying his guardian’s horrified expression. “Should I call a cab for you,
Mr. Maypenny? My treat.” “I’ll have you know that I drove
here,” Mr. Maypenny stated proudly. “Please
tell me that you didn’t bring your riding lawnmower here,” Dan beseeched. “I came in a motor vehicle, Daniel.” “Not that old ancient jeep you used
to beat around the woods in?” Dan inquired incredulously. “I thought that rig
had been retired to the junkyard for scrap metal.” The old man rolled his eyes in exasperation
as he led the way down the parking lot to where he’d parked the vehicle he’d
driven to Dan’s graduation ceremony. Much to Dan’s surprise, he stopped in
front of a fully restored candy apple red 1969 Ford truck. “Whoa!” Dan exclaimed, his eyes wide
with shock. He walked around the pickup to admire it from all angles. “When’d
you get this?” “I bought it a few months ago,” Mr.
Maypenny told him. “Of course, it didn’t look quite so nice when I purchased
it. I’d heard that Tom Delanoy was looking to earn a little extra money, so I
hired him to overhaul the whole thing.” Dan whistled appreciatively under
his breath as he inspected the professional-looking paint job, the new
interior, and the snazzy wheels. “Man, I didn’t even know you had your
license.” He found Mr. Maypenny’s silence unnerving, and turned towards the
old man. A worried expression on his face, he asked, “You do have your driver’s license, right?
I’d hate for you to be the first person I have to pull over for breaking the
law.” Mr. Maypenny grinned wickedly.
“Anxious to try out the new badge, are you?” He chuckled, but then added,
“Yes, Daniel, I have an honest-to-goodness driver’s license, issued by the
state of New York and everything. Although I rarely ever get behind the
wheel, I always make sure I renew it.” “I’m glad you got a truck, Mr.
Maypenny. Although I am wondering
where you got the money to buy this…” “What?” Mr. Maypenny inquired
innocently. “Just because I live in a small cabin in the woods I can’t have
any money?” “You have money?” Dan exclaimed.
“How much?” “Daniel, don’t you know it’s rude to
ask such questions?” Mr. Maypenny scolded lightly. However, his twitching
whiskers made it obvious he wasn’t insulted. “Somewhere around two hundred
and fifty thousand, last time I checked. Of course, that was several years
ago—” “A quarter of a million dollars?” Dan repeated in disbelief. “Well, it certainly isn’t in yen,”
Mr. Maypenny quipped. Dan shook his head, still in shock.
“Where’d you get that kind of money?” “Remember that moonshine that I used
to make…” Mr. Maypenny hooted with laughter as he heard Dan’s disapproving
gasp. When his chuckling ceased, he continued. “I’m kidding, Daniel. Years
ago, the reasons for not selling my land to Matthew Wheeler weren’t
completely altruistic. There’s a natural gas well on my property, and there’s
big money in that, you know.” Dan’s mouth gaped as he tried to
compute this piece of information. “You’re rich?” “I wouldn’t say rich, per se…” “You shoot your own meat, grow your own
vegetables, had an outhouse until a few years ago, pinched your pennies...”
Dan interrupted, with a slap to his forehead. “Geezie Pete, you wouldn’t let
me buy name brand toilet paper, for crying out loud, and here I find out that
you’re loaded!” “When you compare me to Matthew
Wheeler and Ed Lynch, I wouldn’t say loaded
exactly,” Mr. Maypenny amended. “I guess a better word would be comfortable.” “I sure wish I’d known that a long
time ago,” Dan snorted. “I could’ve paid someone to chop wood for me.” “And what would you’ve learned from
that?” Mr. Maypenny prompted. Dan grinned mischievously. “That
money can sure come in handy, especially when it’s time to do your chores.” “Which is exactly what I didn’t want to teach you,” Mr.
Maypenny said sternly. “Aw c’mon, Mr. Maypenny,” Dan
laughed. “I’m just yanking your chain. It’s great that you’ve got money. Hey,
can I call you Mr. Manypennies now?” The old man cast him a disparaging
look. “Don’t push your luck, Daniel.” “I’m joking!” Dan insisted, covering
his face protectively with his hands. “Your new truck’s awesome. I know
you’ll love it.” “But Daniel, I didn’t buy that truck
for me.” Mr. Maypenny smiled
benevolently. “I got it for you.” Dan’s eyes widened to twice their
normal size. He gulped away a huge lump that had risen in his throat, but
still no sound would come out of his mouth. “No way!” he finally choked
out. “Yes way.” Mr. Maypenny dangled a
set of keys in front of Dan. “Here you go, son.” Astonished in the purest sense of
the word, Dan’s mouth was agape, and his eyes resembled two large pieces of
coal. For several moments, he was mute, too shocked to say a single word.
When he could finally speak, he stammered, “I can’t accept this.” “Why not?” “Because it’s too much,” Dan told
him. Although his tone was adamant, there was a catch in his throat. “I
couldn’t possi—” Mr. Maypenny’s white bushy brows knotted
together at the bridge of his aquiline nose. “You don’t like it?” “No, it isn’t that!” Dan exclaimed.
He ran a hand along the truck’s shiny chrome bumper, a longing look in his
eyes. “She’s beautiful. My dad had one exactly like her when I was a kid.” “I know.” Dan’s gaze whirled upward and locked
with Mr. Maypenny’s. “You do?” The old man nodded. “I saw it in the
background of one of the pictures you showed me of your family. You mentioned
how you and your dad would go driving in it, and how that was one of your
favorite memories.” Mr. Maypenny cleared his throat, and
then continued, “That’s why I bought that particular truck. I probably
should’ve gotten a more modern one for you, but that old ’69 just seemed
perfect. I had Tom totally overhaul the whole thing, though. Completely new
engine, interior, tires… the works. Tom assures me that she runs like a top.” “I’m sure she does.” Dan walked all
around the truck, never taking his eyes off the vehicle. “Don’t you like it?” Mr. Maypenny
inquired. Although his voice was normally gruff, currently it held a hint of
insecurity. “I love it,” Dan answered earnestly.
“She’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” “Then take it for a spin.” With a
merry sparkle in his eyes, Mr. Maypenny tossed the keys to Dan. Thankfully, the younger man
possessed catlike reflexes and agilely caught the key ring with one hand. Dan
studied the metal objects with a guilty grimace. “I’d love to, but… but… but
I can’t.” “Why not?” Mr. Maypenny patted the
fender of the old Ford lovingly. “You know you want to.” “Well, yeah, but…” “I’ve never given you fancy gifts,
son,” Mr. Maypenny told him, his tone beseeching. “I’ve taught you to work
hard for what you have so you’ll appreciate it. But just for today, let me
spoil you a bit. You’ve worked hard to get where you are. Let me show you how
proud I am of you.” Dan was clearly weakening. He opened his
mouth, but suddenly clamped it shut. After shaking his head slightly, he
said, “I appreciate it more than you’ll ever know, but I can’t accept this. I
don’t need it. I have my motorcycle…” “A motorcycle,” Mr. Maypenny echoed
with a snort. “Pshaw, Daniel! You’re a respectable officer of the law now.
It’s time to drive something with doors.” “Lots of the other cops drive
motorcycles to work.” Averting his wistful gaze from the classic truck, Dan
fastened his eyes on Mr. Maypenny. “It’s just too much. I don’t deserve it.” “Let me be the judge of that,” Mr. Maypenny told him firmly. With his
gnarled hand, he pointed to the set of keys in the younger man’s hands. “The
gas tank’s full, you’ve got no place else to be, and your name’s on the
registration papers…” “It’s too expensive,” Dan said with
a shake of his head. However, his voice had begun to waver, and it was clear
that he was straddling the fence. Mr. Maypenny scratched his whiskered
chin. “You may have a point there, son. But what about the truck? I certainly don’t want it, and I
can’t exactly take it back, can I? It’s worth considerably more now than when
I bought it.” “Would Tom want it?” Dan asked. Please don’t let him want it, please don’t
let him want it, he prayed silently. “Nah.” Mr. Maypenny’s thick brow
furrowed thoughtfully. “He can’t afford something like that, what with Celia
expecting another baby.” “Hmm…” Dan murmured, twitching his
lower lip as he mulled their options. “Wait!” Mr. Maypenny lifted a finger
in triumph. “I have an idea. Maybe we could work out some sort of deal, you
know, barter with one another.” “Barter?” Dan lifted a single brow
with interest. “What if I give you the truck on the
condition that you use it from time to time to drive back to Sleepyside?” Mr.
Maypenny suggested. “I think there are a few more trees in the preserve that
you haven’t chopped down yet.” “And it isn’t like there’s a bunch of suicidal
trees out there, looking to sacrifice themselves to our stove gods,” Dan said
with a wink, repeating the words Mr. Maypenny had told him when he first came
to Sleepyside. “Smart aleck,” Mr. Maypenny cracked
dryly. “So, do we have a deal? I give you the truck and you come chop wood
occasionally?” Dan’s eyes traveled over to the
sharp-looking red pickup, and then back over to the old man. “It’s a deal.”
With a gleeful smile, he placed his hand on the driver’s side door. Almost
reverently, he opened it and sat inside. He started the engine as Mr.
Maypenny climbed in through the passenger’s door. The V-8 purred like a
contented kitten. A very large, lion-esque kitten, but a kitten nonetheless.
Before he shifted the truck out of park, he glanced over at his passenger. “Thank you just doesn’t seem like
enough to say,” he murmured, a bit of unfamiliar moisture gathering in the
corners of his eyes. “What do you tell someone who’s clothed you, fed you,
put a roof over your head… And now the truck…” “It’s nothing, Daniel.” Although Mr.
Maypenny wasn’t prone to show affection in the conventional sense, he reached
over and patted Dan’s hand. “Any father would do the same for his son. And
although you aren’t my own flesh and blood child, you’re as close as I’ve
got.” “Same here, old man.” Dan’s tone was
teasing, but it was clear it meant his words affectionately. “You know, even though I never planned
to marry, I always wanted a son. After Mrs. Vanderpoel’s husband died, I
spent a lot of time with her two boys, you know. William and Marcus would
come out here and spend a few hours a day with me during the summer. Since
their daddy had died, they needed a man to be a father figure to them,
hunting, fishing, and the like. Although I never had any desire to marry, I
always wished I had a son of my own to do those things with, especially after
William and Marcus grew up and moved away.” Mr. Maypenny cleared his throat
nervously. “I know you arrived on my doorstep through some unhappy
circumstances, Daniel, but I’m sure glad the good Lord saw fit to bless me
with a son of my own.” “Me too,” Dan murmured, looking over
at his passenger fondly. When he first came to Sleepyside, he had thought his
guardian was an ax murderer. In reality, the old man was a father, slave driver,
nursemaid, drill sergeant, psychiatrist, minister, and teacher all rolled
into one. However, to Dan, he would always be
Mr. Maypenny, the person who taught him to be a man.
Thanks to my fabulous
faithful editors, Steph H. and Kathy W. And thank you also to my newest
editors, Mal and Ronda, who have volunteered to be my resident Dan experts.
You both have already proven your value! The Cameo thanks you for your
assistance! Tim Cramer and Bruce Finley
were created characters who were mentioned in the Past installment of this
story. I reserve the right to use them again earlier in this universe before
their deaths. Thank you to all those who
answered my questions about the Little Debbie is owned by
McKee Foods, and I should be reimbursed for all the Fudge Rounds and Oatmeal
Cakes I’ve purchased through the years. Mr. Maypenny is based a lot
on my grandfather, who carries around a wad of $100 bills but dresses like a
pauper, uses generic products, drives an old, beat-up Ford pickup, and hates
big crowds. “The current float in Jim’s
ABC parade of Trixie-substitutes” is a reference to The Cameo’s Glimpses into the Future Universe
story, “Why
Do Fools Fall in Love?” and is trademarked by Dark Orchid
Productions. More on the Mangans’ and
Regans’ family history later… “For he is the minister of
God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he
beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to
execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.” Romans 13:4, KJV This is the verse we use to teach our
children that police officers are there to help them, and that as long as
they obey the law, they have no reason to fear law enforcement officials, and
should give them respect. The “ancient Jeep Mr.
Maypenny used to beat around the woods in” is referred to in “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?”,
which can be found in my Here and Now Universe. I always hated it that Dan
never had an inheritance, so I decided to “fix” that. *G* Stay tuned for the Future
installment, now showing at a screen near you!
|
