The turn to Kennedy's home started at a concrete archway, double-wide and just as tall. A semi could easily fit through, maybe two. It was also gated, but the black metal barricades were swung open that day. The drive wound around as it rose in front of us, beautifully gardened with native plants, like it was naturally growing but very well cared for. We went over a little bluff after a couple hundred feet and came to a split in the drive, one heading off to the left and down a hill and disappearing, the other to a large circular drive, the other side of which stood a masterpiece!
I said a castle, but his house was more like a huge lodge constructed almost entirely of dark, natural wood. To the left was an attached two vehicle garage that stuck out from the main building. Set back a ways, just to the right, was the entry which included the only use of brick that set the double doors off from the rest of the massive space. Beyond the entry lay enough house to serve as a hotel, very easily, and rose to two full stories with gables sticking up to add a third story in several places. There were several high chimneys as well. It was all built with a clean, modern styling but gave off hints of including old charm and certainly dignity, bathed in the richness of all that natural dark-stained wood.
"Well, this is home sweet . . . ," Kennedy said, nonchalantly, heard above the oohs and ahhs and wows coming from my boys. "Just my little port in a storm."
"More like the whole island, Kennedy," spouted Jeffy.
"Well, it's big enough for the three of us and Tiger."
"I'd say it was big enough for most of a small city," said Elliot.
"Ha! Not really. But I'm kind of used to it, mostly. Please come in and I'll show you around."
As we got out of the truck, Kennedy walked over to the left side of the house, just past the garage doors, the land of which dropped off like a cliff supported by a stone wall. He peered around the far wall of the garage and then headed back to us.
"It doesn't look like the folks are home yet. We can go in and get comfy."
AJ traipsed behind Kennedy to peer over the edge and came back with his mouth open. "Dad, there's even more house down there and a whole 'nother set of garages!"
"Yer kiddin'," said Jeffy, before he and Elliot ran to look over the edge as well.
"Okay, guys, let's don't be rude to our host," I admonished, though I really wanted to run with them to see too.
"It's okay, Mr. McGill. I'm kind of used to it."
"Well, we're sure not," said Jeffy. "You could prob'ly fit four of our house in this one!"
"Really?" asked Kennedy. "You have a big house?" He looked totally sincere.
Elliot and I looked totally shocked.
Kennedy walked to the door and opened it without a key.
"Um, Kennedy, you, um, don't lock up your house? Is that safe?" asked Elliot.
"To be sure, my friend. To be sure," he said as the door swung open to reveal the largest dog statue I've ever seen. And it was so life-like . . . . Wait! OMG!
"Meet Tiger, guys. He is our first line of defense," said the young man as he walked to a large control panel in the wall, complete with computer monitor, and entered a code which, I assumed, turned off the alarm system.
You could see the restrained anticipation in Tiger's whole being, twitching like mad to be given acknowledgement from his master that he could move.
"Wow! He's a giant!" said AJ in a stage whisper, as afraid as the rest of us were to make any sudden moves that could cost us a limb or two.
Even Lewis gasped and grabbed onto my neck as he turned back to take in the massive animal in front of us.
Kennedy walked straight up to Tiger. The monster's nose was pointing up at Kennedy's chin as he sat there, barely breathing, barely moving yet so ready. Okay, his head was turned up to look into his master's eyes, but not much.
Then Kennedy waved his hand in front of his 'pet' and Tiger went crazy!
"Uh oh!" said Kennedy. "Every man for himself! Crazy dog! Crazy dog!"
For the next few minutes, but what seemed like ages, Tiger jumped and leapt and pranced and dove and made every crazy move he could think of, totally disregarding us and concentrating on getting Kennedy's attention. He made the cutest whining sounds like he had so much to say and couldn't get a word out. I heard a swoosh behind me and turned to see three boys hiding, looking around me, in fear for their lives, I think.
But the whole experience was a wonder to behold! That animal was amazing. Even Lewis started to laugh and clap his hands. The boys finally spread out, though up against the walls behind them. It was just too much of a magnificent show of strength and devotion to miss.
"Okay, Tiger, calm down, boy," said Kennedy calmly, but with laughter in his voice. "Guys, meet Tiger, my pal." Kennedy waved his arm to introduce us as the huge beast sat and panted, clearly smiling at his best friend.
"Wow and double wow, Kennedy! Does he come with a saddle?"
We all kind of gasped but Kennedy laughed out loud.
"I've never been asked that before, AJ. But, no, he doesn't, yet. Maybe we can come up with something for Lewis, huh?"
"Well, I was thinkin' of me, but yeah," said AJ in all seriousness.
Tiger was mostly ignoring us until he happened to notice Lewis in my arms. Then he slowly walked over and nuzzled the baby's thigh, leaving a wet trail as he did.
"Oh, gross!" exclaimed Elliot.
But Lewis seemed to connect right away and reached out with his hand to tap Tiger on his snout. The dog backed away a bit and looked up and smiled at us, his mouth open and his tongue hanging to one side. He didn't leave Lewis' side for the rest of our tour.
"Okay, we can't spend all day in the entry, you guys. Let's move on into the house."
"Actually, Kennedy, this entry isn't a whole lot smaller than my old house," said Elliot. "I was going to say, 'Except mine was two stories,'" he noted as his eyes went to see a balcony on two sides, a story above us.
We moved to the left into a room that spanned the entire length of the house, front to back. There was a huge fireplace to our left which would have been the back wall of the garage. As we moved into the room, again done in dark woods and rich colors, there were portraits of older family along the outside wall.
There were three conversation areas formed by a couch and two chairs, a couch and love seat and two couches, each with a sprinkling of tables, end and coffee, and ottomans. On the inside wall were cabinets that formed around a small wet bar.
The end of the room was almost a solarium. It was all windows and almost formed a quarter of a circle that had a view of everything for miles, including, Kennedy told us, three mountain peaks.
To the right of that area was an archway leading to a formal dining room. It was only half the length of the main room and equally as wide. It had the same view, of course, and featured walls of built in cabinets and one with a counter that was a wet bar, complete with lighted glass cabinets above and below, and probably big enough to handle most of the contents of our whole kitchen.
Of course, Kennedy was telling us all of this as we wandered, in awe, from room to room.
Beyond was the kitchen, large enough to make the chefs of some big restaurants jealous, with every appliance of commercial grade and gleaming. Granite countertop, of course. There were two sinks, both double wide. One was in the large island and the other was enjoying the view out huge windows at the end of the room.
As we continued moving through room after room along the back of the house, I was becoming afraid that we'd have to extend our vacation by a week. We finally turned from two hobby rooms for his mother's crafts, sewing and quilting, to a long family room which had plenty of book cabinets, comfy looking couches and recliners and another wet bar. The sheer curtains were drawn and would have looked out at the circular drive through windows above chest high cabinets.
"And this is where we spend most of our quiet evenings, the television room," explained Kennedy.
"Um, Kennedy, you might have noticed, like me, that there's no TV, dude," said Jeffy.
"'Like I'," corrected Elliot.
"You too?" Jeffy answered, then turned to his friend and said, "See what I mean?"
Kennedy laughed as he picked up a remote and hit one button. Immediately, we heard a swirling of motors, hidden somewhere, as darker curtains moved along the windows, shutting out all light. At the same time, behind us, a screen was lowering above the cabinets on the opposite wall. When it stopped it was instantaneously doused with the light of the projected images of some TV show.
"Oh," was all a humbled Jeffy could get out.
"Okay, we're walking, we're walking," Kennedy announced as his hands went up and motioned to us like he was parking an airliner.
I was familiar with the movies and such that made this action classic, but the kids just had blank looks on their faces.
"Anyway, this way," he said, disappearing into the center hallway.
We came to a door that looked different than the others we'd walked past. This one was mostly metal, though the copper color blended in with the wood around it.
When I noticed the two buttons on the doorframe it became obvious what we were about to walk into. But before that happened . . .
"Lewis, ow, honey. Be gentle," I admonished my youngest, who had grabbed my nose and pulled it until I was looking over my shoulder. "What is it?"
He actually waved in the direction we came from. I had no idea why, until . . .
"Pop," said, Elliot, "We're missing a pipsqueak."
So, as one, we all traipsed back into the TV room to see AJ glued to the image on the TV. Remember, we didn't own one so his experience with one was very limited.
"AJ? AJ?" I said until Lewis reached out and pulled on his shoulder.
"Hey! What? Are we going?"
"We already went, dummkopf!" said Jeffy. I didn't even know he knew German.
Then, after Kennedy turned off the TV and restored light to the room, we once again made our way to the copper door.
Television was very low on my list of priorities for a solid, loving family. Seeing AJ mesmerized by the images on the screen only enforced that in my mind. I knew there were benefits, especially for their schoolwork, but I was loathe to let it take over our lives as so many families seemed to suffer from. I'd have to weigh it out extensively, later.
"What room is this, Kennedy? It sure is a different door," mentioned Jeffy.
"Let me answer it by asking this question, guys, should we go upstairs or downstairs?"
AJ and Jeffy were trying to figure out why the stairs were hidden behind a door while I just smiled, and Elliot showed how impressed he was.
"No-o-o-o! Really? You're kidding."
"Nope. Hop on board, guys. We'll start downstairs."
And he pulled open the doors and guided us into the small space that was their elevator.
[I should mention right about here that I'm describing a house that I recently was shown around that was far up in the hills near my city. Except it had a view of five mountains. It is also the home of only two people and is valued at five million dollars. Oh, it also had no dog.]
We all barely squeezed into the confined space and, when the door closed, Kennedy pushed the bottom button and we began to move.
"Neat!" said AJ with his classic smile.
"An elevator? In a house? Wow, you guys are richer than richer."
"Jeffy! That's not polite."
"Oh, it's okay, Mr. McGill. He's right. We're rich."
We got out into a large basement that was mostly unfinished and had a selection of your usual basement appliances like furnace, washer and dryer, and two water heaters. There was a bathroom that AJ made use of quickly and a pantry that stored a year's worth of canned and jarred foods, I'm sure. It was in addition to the one off the kitchen upstairs. On one end was a room with several pieces of exercise equipment. The basement ran the whole length of the house.
"Okay, boring. Up we go. All back into the cramped space," said Jeffy, leading us to the elevator.
We went up to the second floor and toured the two master suites and three other bedrooms that were a bit smaller. There was a huge bathroom for those three bedrooms that featured another set of washer and dryer. Kennedy explained that his mother told his father that he could either include a set on the second floor or he could go get the clean clothes and take down the dirty ones on wash days. The laundry room was right inside the short hallway to the large bathroom.
There were other rooms for what seemed like frivolous needs like more hobbies, storage closets and even one that had stairs going up to a third floor.
"You may all divide up into any of these three bedrooms. I'd have the butler bring your luggage up, but we don't have one, so . . ."
"It's okay, Kennedy. The boys are young and strong. We need to think about lunch and a nap for our youngest, though."
"Ah, lunch. Let's do that. Will you help me while the guys do the unloading, sir?"
"Lead the way."
We went down one of two stairways, to the main floor. The boys went one way while Kennedy, Lewis and I went into the kitchen. In a matter of minutes, we had a nice spread of lunchmeats, veggies and breads, with several spreads, ready to make our own sandwiches.
I gave Lewis a piece of bread while we waited for the boys to find us. It didn't take that long, probably because food had been mentioned. Soon we were surrounded by the music of laughter and teasing, amidst the confusion of young arms reaching for their choice of delicacies to stack on their gourmet creations. It was totally a mess!
Then, except for the sound of groans and moans of enjoyment, silence reigned again. Even Lewis clapped his hands and laughed at the difference that eating food makes to solve mayhem.
A phone rang from somewhere near and Kennedy ducked behind a wall separating two rooms and picked up the instrument. After a few minutes he returned to inform us that his parents were in route and would be home within the hour.
"Sir, I'm sure you'll enjoy them. While they are among the smartest people in the country or the world, for that matter, they can be as down home as normal folk."
"Thanks for the reassurance, Kennedy. I'll admit I was a bit apprehensive to meet them."
"And they'll love little Lewis. They haven't had anyone so young in the house since, well, me. Ha!"
"Everyone loves Lewis. Isn't that true, little one?" I asked the baby in my arms as I poked through a layer of mayonnaise and who knows what else that painted his tummy.
"Alright, guys, Kennedy's parents will be here shortly. Let's finish eating and give them back the kitchen much like we found it before you all indulged."
"That means we need to hurry and clean up the kitchen, guys," explained Elliot.
To which his brothers both responded, "Oh, okay."
Kennedy's eyes got a little big, then he let out a laugh, which caused Lewis to do one of his deep belly laughs and explode in my arms. But I could tell he was ready for his nap.
"I'm going to go up and lay Lewis down. Does one of the rooms have a monitor or intercom so we can hear him up there?"
"Yeah, I have walky-talkies that plug in, so they stay charged. I can tape one of them open in his room. I'll meet you up there."
The boys started to clean up, putting away foods as best they could and returning perishables to the huge refrigerator. I made my way to one of the bedrooms, pulled back the covers, removed most of Lewis' clothes, and laid my grandson down on the soft mattress. He was fascinated by the smooth sheets until Kennedy brought in a stuffed rabbit that had seen better days.
"It's my favorite. I mean, it was when I was much younger. Yeah," corrected Kennedy with a blush.
Lewis latched onto the fabric critter, inspected it thoroughly, then settled down with it in his pudgy arms and began to drift off to dreamland.
I would have expected Tiger to follow Kennedy around most places. But with the addition of Lewis in the house, Tiger became his immediate protector. While he just seemed very curious about one so small, I'm pretty sure he would stand between Lewis and anyone even hinting at doing the boy harm. Still, his intense curiosity left a wet spot on Lewis' cheek while he lies in slumber.
"Gosh, he's a cutie," said Kennedy while he set up the walky-talky. When he was done, he whispered into it while I listened on the second device. It seemed to work well so we left to see how the boys were doing.
It didn't seem like an hour before we saw Tiger jump up from his position at Kennedy's feet and run to the front door.
"Well, what a nice greeting, fella. Are you seeing to our guests like a good boy?" asked the sweet voice of a woman as the door opened.
Soon, a very distinguished-looking couple, some years older than me, came into the living room.
I immediately stood and, with an 'ahem', my three boys stood as well.
"Mother, Father, it's good to have us all together at the same time," said Kennedy as he gently hugged his mother and presented his hand to shake his father's.
"Son, the only way we could be all together is at the same time," stated his father, but with humor, not condescension.
"Caught me again,' laughed the young man, grabbing his father in a hug.
"Will you introduce us to your guests, Kennedy," asked his mother as they both removed coats and gloves and tossed them on the nearest couch.
"Of course. I'd like to introduce, I think I got this right, Gunnery Sargent Timothy McGill, retired," he started, swinging his arm my way.
"What an honor, Sargent," said Kennedy's father, coming at me with his arm extended.
As his wife also extended her arm and we shook, when mine was free, I said,
"The honor is mine, Doctors. Kennedy has told us much of your accomplishments. I hope we aren't intruding on you."
"Nonsense! Now, who are these fine-looking young men, Kennedy?"
"Well, they just happen to be part of the McGill family as well, Father. This is Elliot, then Daniel Jeffrey, but he prefers Jeffy. And this one is AJ, which stands for Andrew James. Right?"
"Yup. Pleased ta meet cha, sir and ma'am," stated AJ in his shy way. NOT!
Dr. Roosevelt held out his hand, which AJ immediately tried to unplug from his shoulder. Elliot gave him a solid shake and Jeffy, as well.
Kennedy's mother, also a doctor, moved to shake with each of them.
"Now, I hear there's someone we haven't met yet?" asked Mrs. Roosevelt.
"Oh, Mom, Lewis is the cutest thing. You'll love him. Tiger has already grown very fond of him, even protective of him."
"Well, that would figure," said Dr. Roosevelt, musing up Tiger's head. "He knows good people when he meets them.
"May I suggest we talk in here while we wait for the little darling to wake? Have you all had your lunch yet?"
"Yes. Kennedy's been quite the host. We had a nice lunch after a tour of this magnificent structure," I said.
"Oh, I'm glad you like it. It's just so relaxing to have a place to unwind after hours and hours out doing God knows what on any given day," answered Mrs. Roosevelt.
"It's really big," said AJ.
"Well, we just needed the right space to relax, AJ. Do you think it's too big?" asked Dr. Roosevelt.
"Too much house for three people. You could use it as a hotel thing for homeless kids like I was. You could have about a hundred kids here and then this monster place would be worth it."
"AJ?" I said, wondering where all that came from.
"Well, that's quite an idea, um, AJ," said Mrs. Roosevelt with some discomfort in her voice.
"That's very commendable of you to think of others like that, young man," said Dr. Roosevelt.
"AJ is someone that would give up all he had for just about anyone in need, doctors," I said, not trying to defend his remark. Just letting them in on my little lover of all.
After a few minutes of uncomfortable silence, Tiger jerked up his head, and turned it like dogs do when they hear something curious. Then he stood and moved toward the hallway without looking at any of us. It was then that we heard a squeak come from the walkie-talkie by my side. Lewis was waking up.
After excusing myself, I followed Tiger to the bedroom to retrieve the little guy and change him. Kennedy and Jeffy followed me as well.
We found Lewis at the door, on his butt, because I may have opened the door into him as he tried to escape his confinement. But he just smiled up at me. Before I could get to him, Tiger shouldered his way in and licked his face a few times. That was hard enough to knock Lewis onto his back and, while the three of us were in awe, Lewis laughed merrily at his new friend's behavior. I grabbed him up and laid him on the bed, while asking Jeffy to grab a diaper and wipes.
Very soon, after a clean bottom, a nice dry diaper, and a clean outfit, we were on our way back down to introduce my grandson to Kennedy's parents.
Lewis wasn't too sure about Dr. Roosevelt and pulled his hand back initially when the large man tried to take it to shake it. He finally let him have his way. He was better by the time he got to Kennedy's mom. Of course, she wanted to hold him, which he let her do.
"Oh, he's absolutely beautiful," she doted over him.
Tiger kept trying to squeeze his way in and practically laid in Mrs. Roosevelt's lap when she sat down with the baby.
"You suppose he's jealous, Mom?" asked Kennedy.
"Oh, no. I think he's just fascinated by one so small and animated. And all the new smells, as well, I'm guessing. They're just so cute together."
And we watched as Tiger would nuzzle Lewis with his big snout, once in a while lapping at the boy with a wet tongue that had Lewis bending over backward, giggling like crazy.
"Mother, I've invited the McGills to stay with us while they visit a sick friend at the hospital in the children's cancer wing. We also stayed at the suite at the hotel last night."
"Well, done, my boy. That was very generous of you," said his father.
"Yes, Kennedy. As always, I'm so proud of your generosity to others," added his mother. "But I think we need to start planning for dinner. Don't you?" she said, looking down at the squiggling bundle in her lap.
Lewis was distracted by Tiger, but Tiger seemed to like the word 'dinner' and moved to stand by the doorway to the kitchen, while looking back over his shoulder.
We all laughed at that.
"Wow, smart dog," said AJ.
Soon, the making of dinner was underway. Kennedy and his mom were grabbing all kinds of ingredients from the pantry and refrigerator and were planning a feast, it seemed to me. My boys were standing to the side watching, barely containing the results of their mouths watering. Even Lewis seemed excited from his perch on the counter, though sufficiently protected by my two oldest.
In the meantime, Dr. Roosevelt offered us drinks. The boys had pop or fruit juice and I was offered a stronger drink. I kindly refused the offer of his favorite scotch and chose a diet soda instead.
"Now, Tim, I rarely serve red meat and like to stick to chicken and fish if I don't do vegetarian. I have a few good-sized cod pieces if you think your boys would enjoy them."
"Mrs. Roosevelt, my boys would eat the wrappers if you let them. There isn't much that they don't like."
"Ew, green peppers, Dad," AJ shuttered.
"Mmm, well good. Cod it is. I'll serve it with some cheese biscuits and a small shrimp salad, and no green peppers."
"Yummy!" added AJ.
While she attacked the meal preparation and the boys returned to the living room to play on the floor with Lewis and Tiger, I asked Dr. Roosevelt if I could call Ray, Sr. at the hospital.
Thanks again to RCN for his editing wizardry. It makes for a smoother read.
I would like to hear/read your criticisms, good and bad. I'd love to talk about where this gets to you. Matthew Templar