Page 32 of Snow Blind
Oscar couldn't stop grinning on Saturday morning when the desk was moved into his room. He took care to move the blocks from the floor to the desktop. For good measure, on the lathe, Mustang had created a quick lamp to go on the desk. The pride the boy felt in helping to create a piece he would use nearly every day brought him to tears, and he followed Mustang about for the rest of the day.
Saturday morning, to be fair, Mustang spent time with Jeffrey, showing him how to use toothpaste to clean the dull headlights on his car. As they worked, he talked shop about cars, his Mustang Cobra, and traveling.
“This car is not much to look at, but it runs good,” Jeffrey said.
“Apple showed a lot of trust in you getting this for you,” Mustang said. “You’re going to be a good man.”
“I am a good man,” he said. “I just needed a chance to be something more than surviving on the street. I got that. We have that.”
“Good enough,” Mustang said, closing out the project.
In the afternoon, Mustang hung out with Stephen, showing him how to work the grill, smoking techniques, plus how to bar-b-que once, eat for three days to lessen cooking time. He even used dried branches from the sad apple tree in the yard to make chips for smoking meats.
"This is how you get applewood smoked meats like bacon and ham," he said to a very receptive Stephen.
“I was surprised at how nice you are to me, and not trying to get, you know, a little something on the side when she wasn’t looking,” Stephen said. “Those are the kinds of men I know. I haven’t met anyone like you before. I see why she loves you.”
“I can also see why she loves you,” Mustang said. He looked at the boy. When he worked at the summer camps in his youth, Mustang served as a counselor for teen boys, a few, who had yet to embrace their sexuality, unlike Stephen, who was fully invested in who he was and who he was going to be. “It is difficult to discern sometimes the difference between kindness and ulterior motives. I wanted to show that men can provide affection without wanting anything in return. I think you’re an amazing person, and I look forward to seeing the man you grow into.”
“Me?” Stephen said, his hand placed on his non-existent breasts. “You think I’m amazing?”
“Stephen, there is a light inside of you so bright, that I’m sure it scares you sometimes. You can turn it down, but don’t ever let anyone dim it. You’re beautiful, inside and out.”
“Oh my golly, I’m going to cry. Don’t make me cry, you big brute of man, being so nice and caring,” Stephen said, and immediately begin to cry.
Helen and Apple watched from the kitchen window as Mustang embraced the boy, holding him as a father would a son, allowing the emotions to flow without judgement. Ricky walked up, looking out the window as well.
“I want to fight him, but I like him,” he said looking out the window. “Hmmp.”
He said no more and walked away. In Ricky’s workshop, once they finished the project for Oscar, Mustang helped Ricky quickly organize the workspace, making the workflow process more cohesive, and the tools easier to access. For that alone, as well and the wonderfully crafted desk and chair for Oscar, he’d earned the man’s respect.
Finally, in the evening, he sat at the kitchen table with Apple, talking shop on tracking techniques, weaponry, and creating a stash for the house. Apple showed him the caches in the house under the floorboard Helen helped to set up, as well as the window defense systems. Mustang simply nodded, thinking how amazing his Helen was as a person and soon to be Technician. For shits and giggles, Helen timed the three men as they broke down 9mm’s in a race, with Mustang losing once to each man, winning one round himself.
Sunday morning, packed and ready to go, Apple pulled Helen to the side. "I like him. He's a good guy."
Oscar making his last pitch, also pulling Mustang to the side. "Hey, you want a kid?"
"You offering?"
"You ready to be a dad?"
"Not sure yet," Mustang said.
"You know where I am when you're ready," Oscar said. "You'd make a great dad."
"Thanks, Oscar. Take care of yourself," Mustang said, opening the door for Helen to climb in. He had a lot to think about over the drive home, and she gave him the mental space to clear out a few of the ideas. The primary one on his mind was Ricky. "I'm not sure if that Ricky is totally playing for the other team, especially the way he looks at you."
"Doesn't matter."
"Why not?"
"Because I only have eyes, time, and love for you, Big Guy," she replied, making Mustang smile.
His smile continued all the way home. The weekend wasn't a total bust, but as Helen climbed the back stairs, she slipped, falling and injuring her hand. It wouldn't prevent her from working, but the bruise was enough to be a cause of concern.
"I have to renew my insurance; I haven't worked, and the checks I'm getting while in training aren't much," she said. "Do you know anything about the health insurance coverage for the Technicians?"
"As far as I know, each crew has a medical doctor on staff," Mustang added. "Most Technicians are trained field medics and can perform the basics to keep from getting dead, but health care plans would be something you get on your own for regular checkups."
