Chapter Sixteen – Matt Returns Home

Matt lifted his knees slightly to make a small hollow for Tac to settle into. Though, as he was a cat, Tac did not do what Matt wished. Instead, he stood up straight and leaned against Matt’s chest with his head stretched upwards. He squeezed his eyes shut as Matt obediently rubbed him under the chin. It was sheltered and warm on Art’s patio. The evening sun was gentle and comforting, like a parting hug from the summer’s day.

Tac watched Art sit down next to Matt before rolling over with his legs in the air. Matt had learned not to tickle Tac’s belly. Tac was still young enough to respond with a playful nip and scratch. Instead, Matt gently rubbed Tac on the top of his head.

“Either you have Tac sorted, or he has you sorted. Not sure which! Bill is coming to visit soon. We’re going to have a chat,” said Art.

Matt turned and gave Art a quizzical look as Art put his hand on his shoulder and gently said, “Things are going to change for the better. Certainly nothing to worry about.” Matt nodded and turned his attention back to Tac. “We can chat over a chocolate mousse,” said Art as he got up.

Matt loved Art’s chocolate mousse and was learning to make it. It was the most chocolaty dessert he’d ever tasted. Tac curled up tightly in Matt’s lap and started to purr as he was gently stroked, he was settled in for a long cuddle. Matt’s daydreaming was interrupted by the sound of Art welcoming Bill and asking him to come and sit down. “You’re just in time for dessert, Bill. Great timing.”

Matt turned slightly, careful not to disturb Tac and called out, “Hey, Bill, come and see Tac.” Bill squatted down in front of Matt who gave Tac a slightly faster scratch on the side of his neck to entice him to stretch out and purr more loudly.

“That’s one lucky puss,” mused Bill.

“Yep,” said Matt, “he has a great life.”

Art tapped a spoon on a plate to get everyone’s attention. “Dessert is served, come when you’re ready.”

“Or come soon if you want one,” added Dylan.

Bill raised his eyebrows. “Come on, let’s join the party.” Matt slowly lowered his legs and wriggled to let Tac know it was time to go. Tac looked about and jumped off, walking slowly away before sitting down in the sun.

 

There was a short silence as they started eating dessert before Bill put down his spoon and looked at Art. “Art, this is the best mousse I’ve ever had.”

“Thank you, Bill. Matt almost has the recipe sorted. It’s a little bit tricky, but I am sure you’ll be eating these at home shortly.” Bill looked at Matt, raised his eyebrows and smiled. There was a long silence as Art cleared the table. When he sat back down he smiled at Matt before turning to look at Bill.

Bill put his hands together on the table. “Well, Matt. There have been some discussions and we have decided to make a few changes.” Bill paused, looked down at his hands and took a couple of quick, short breaths. “As you know, Jane has not been well. It’s not an easy situation. But her doctor and I have decided it’s time for her to get some different treatment. She will be away from home for a little while and we’re thinking of making a few changes during this time.” Bill looked up at Matt and opened his mouth, but said nothing. He looked down and wiped his eyes. Art reached over and put his hand on Bill’s shoulder. Dylan sat back in his chair and raised his eyebrows at Matt.

Art gave Matt a gentle smile. “What we were thinking was that during this time you could move back into the house. That way we could give your sleep-out a makeover, turn it more into a boys’ den.” Matt looked back in silence, this really was a surprise.

“Actually,” added Bill as he regained his composure, “I was thinking that you could stay in the house and just use your sleep-out for play.” Again, Matt looked back in silence. Bill smiled awkwardly. “We’ll talk to Jane in the morning and make a plan.”

Matt nodded. “Did Jane know about this yet?” he wondered.

Dylan tapped his finger on the table to get Matt’s attention. “So this weekend Art and I will come around and help you move and set up. After going for a cycle and doing your drills of course!”

Matt grinned. “Of course.” When Art stood up and walked to the kitchen Matt took his chance to head back to the patio and look for Tac. Bill watched Matt make himself comfortable in the sun and reach out to Tac and coax him over for a scratch.

“Well, he took that better than I thought he might.”

“Actually,” replied Dylan, “I think he’s pleased.”

Bill folded his arms and leaned back in his chair. “I hope so, I really hope so. This is going to be a big change.”

Art leaned over the kitchen counter. “A change for the better, Bill. Be positive, we’ll be there for you.”

Bill stood up and looked around without making eye contact. “Yep. Best we get going. Thank you for dessert and your time guys. We need to get an early night.” With that said, Bill walked out to Matt and Tac.

Matt could tell by the quietness he had woken early. He checked the time on his phone. It was still half an hour until Dylan would arrive for their morning bike ride. He rolled over, closed his eyes for a few seconds before rolling back. He couldn’t wait in bed, there was simply too much to think about. How would Jane take the news of the changes? What if she didn’t want to leave? Decision made, he would ride to Art’s house straight away and wait for Dylan to get up.

Matt heard footsteps near Art’s front door followed by the click of the latch.

“Hey, you’re keen!” called Dylan when he noticed Matt by the front gate.

“Couldn’t sleep.”

“Not surprised, it’s a big day. Not just for you, but your folks. Won’t be a sec, just need to get my bike out.” They rode slowly across town to warm up. As they approached the bridge Dylan turned to face Matt. “Fifteen minutes hard, thirty steady, fifteen hard. You take the lead as we leave the bridge.”

Matt took a few big breaths and reset his trip computer. They were off. There would be no talking for fifteen minutes, that was the drill. If you could talk then you could pedal faster, so pedal faster instead. The goal was for Matt to get as far as he could in fifteen minutes, get his breath back at a pace set by Dylan. Then if possible match the first fifteen minutes again. Dylan had a range of training patterns and never told Matt which one they were going to do in advance. ‘It’s just like a fight, you have to face what’s put in front of you. There’s no choice,’ he had told Matt.

Matt pedalled hard. He had been improving a lot recently and each ride was a chance to set a new personal best. Gone were the days of pain and lack of progress. At the start his times had got worse each time he rode, he was just too sore from previous rides. Matt had come to enjoy riding and to his great surprise enjoying the exertion. As promised he felt great all day long after a hard ride.

Dylan whistled to get Matt’s attention. “That’s fifteen, good effort.” Matt stopped pedalling and sat up, breathing hard. Dylan pulled up alongside him. “You’re starting to make me work to keep up, buddy.” Matt smiled back and shook his head, he was too puffed to talk. “I’ll set a fairly gentle pace, focus on your breathing and recovery.”

Matt followed Dylan, being sure to be close enough to benefit from slip-streaming. When they started riding Dylan had shown Matt just how effective slip-streaming was and also taught him the golden rule, ‘If you are in front and you fart, you have to put your hand up for a count of three.’ Matt has long ago learned to keep an eye out for Dylan’s hand going up. The balance of the ride was uneventful and Dylan kept the pace high enough that there was little chance to talk. Once back at Art’s house Matt discovered his day was well organised. A shower and breakfast, a magnificent breakfast actually, before heading home. When it was time to head back Dylan called Matt over to the dining table where he was sitting with Art. Dylan put his hand on Matt’s and leaned forward. “When you get back things might be a bit tense. If it gets uncomfortable, just head back here. If at all possible leave before 9:30 AM. Okay?”

Matt nodded. “Is that when the people come?”

“Yes, it will be a nurse. Bill and the nurse will take Jane to the hospital.”

Matt knew by ‘hospital’ Dylan meant the mental health unit. He also knew that there was a fear, indeed an expectation, that Jane would not want to go. But this did not bother him. Surely they would make Jane better and she would return happy. That would be great. Matt looked at the clock in the kitchen. “Better go, see you soon.”

Art, who had been silent and watching Matt closely stood up and held out his arms for a hug. “No matter what, Matt, hug your mum, tell her you love her.” Matt nodded as Art patted him on the back. “We love you too, Matt.”

Matt squeezed Art before letting go.

 

Dylan waited by the front door as Matt mounted his bike and set off. “See ya soon, buddy. By the way, how many chin-ups are you up to?”

“Twenty,” called Matt as he waved and pedalled as fast as he could. After all, he suspected Art and Dylan were still watching.

“Do you think he understands what’s happening?” asked Dylan.

Art blew out a slow breath. “I think so actually. I think he’s just so disconnected from his parents it doesn’t matter to him what happens.”

Dylan looked at the clock and put his hands behind his head. “He’ll be back in less than an hour, we’ll know more then. I’m off to have a lie-down.”

As Matt left he turned and looked back at Bill and Jane through the kitchen window. The talk with Jane had gone well, he thought. She seemed accepting, or resigned perhaps, that things were going to change. Matt thought Jane was quite touched when he hugged her, she even smiled when he said he was going to make a chocolate mousse to celebrate her return. It was Bill, Matt thought, who looked more stressed. Like he was making a decision that was not necessarily his to make or might have consequences he could not control. Matt looked at his bike. Should he ride or walk back to Art’s place? He decided to walk. His legs still felt a bit funny from the morning ride and a walk would loosen them up.

“Back,” called Matt through Art’s front door.

“Come in,” replied Art, “fatso’s in bed, you must have worn him out this morning.”

“Nah, that was Jude last night,” yelled Dylan from his bedroom.

“Shush you!” Art called back. “Just ignore him, Matt, I’m sure they were just playing cards all night.”

Matt smiled and theatrically slapped his forehead as Dylan walked, smiling, from the bedroom. Art, who was now sitting at the dining table drummed his hands. “Come and sit down gentlemen, we need to make a plan. The number one objective is to set Matt up in the house. So we need to clear a room out and move Matt’s things in. Once Matt approves we can worry about the sleep-out. Matt, does the room you are moving into have a bed, drawers etc?”

Matt thought for a moment. “Yeah, Simons.”

Art nodded, he could see from Matt’s face this might be tricky. “Should we put your bed in there?”

Matt shrugged his shoulders. “Dunno.”

Art looked at Matt and smiled. “No stress, Matt, we’ll sort this out later.”

Art pushed his chair back ready to stand up. “Okay, gents, it’s time to go. First stop is for some packing boxes to put things in. Goodness, a reason to use the car!”

Matt looked at Art as it occurred to him that this would be the first time Art drove his car since he met him.
“Shame to leave such a stunner in the shed!” joked Dylan.

“You are right, Dylan, people are indeed stunned when they see my car.”

As they approached Matt’s driveway Jed started waving enthusiastically. “Jed seems pleased to see us,” said Art.

“Probably just doesn’t want to be run over,” mused Dylan.

“Ha ha ha,” replied Art dryly.

As Matt and Jed unpacked the car Art stood looking at the house with his hands on his hips.

“All good?” asked Dylan.

“Just reliving some memories… from the 1970s.”

Dylan laughed. “Wait until you get inside, buddy. You will feel an urge to get your flares out and dance to Donna Summer.”

Art shook his head and walked over to Matt and Jed. “Boys, why don’t you put everything in the carport that Matt would like in the house. Dylan and I will start clearing the new room out.”

“Yep,” chimed both boys.

Art made his way through the house following the sounds of Dylan packing the first of the boxes. “That was a great idea to get Jed around, he’s a bright wee thing for sure.”

Dylan nodded. “I will pack all the trophies, photos and knick-knacks. Are you okay to do the clothes?”

“Doing it. This room is going to need a decent clean, it’s musty. Not as bad as the sleep-out, it’s dreadful.”

“Oh yeah,” replied Dylan slowly, “not healthy physically or mentally. Let’s smash this out before Bill gets back, might save some debate.”

Art clapped his hands. “Good plan.”

It did not take long for Art and Dylan to clear the room. Art opened the window and called to Matt, “Hey, how about coming and checking this bed out.”

Matt came running, followed by Jed.

“It looks like a great bed to me, Matt, have a lie-down and tell me what you think.”

Matt lay down. “Pretty good,” he said.

Dylan waved his hand to get Matt’s attention. “Now get up on your hands and knees and go like this,” said Dylan while thrusting his hips. “We need to know if it can take some action.”

Jed laughed loudly. “Yeah, man, give it a doggie!”

Matt smiled and lay still on the bed with his hands together on his belly. “It’s much better than my bed.”

“Then it is your bed,” declared Art.

“Let’s give things a wipe and vacuum. Bring all your bedding inside, we will cherry-pick the best and give it a wash. Where’s the vacuum cleaner?” Matt rolled off the bed and retrieved the vacuum cleaner.

“Gracious,” said Art with a surprised tone, “this looks like a prop from the original Dr Who!”

Art plugged the vacuum cleaner in, turned it on, then put his hand on and off the suction pipe. “I think we’ll concede defeat now. I’ll go and get my vacuum cleaner. Boys, sort the bedding and put what you want to use tonight in the washing machine.”

Matt and Jed ran back to the sleep-out.

“They are loving this,” observed Dylan.

“Yes, it’s a very good start I agree,” replied Art, “the challenge will be to keep up the momentum. See you soon. Call if you need anything else picked up.” Art saw Bill coming down the driveway and waited while he parked. “Hey, Bill, why don’t you jump in with me. I have a couple of things to pick up, we can chat on the way.”

Bill hesitated, looking at the house. “Sure. Is Matt okay?”

“He’s having a party with Jed. Loving it.”

Bill climbed into Art’s car. “Okay, what do you need?”

“A vacuum cleaner that can frighten dust for starters, we can pick up mine.”

“Really? Did ours fail?”

“Sort of, but that was probably ten years ago. It would help to have a modern one, things have changed a bit in the suction department.”

“Should we just buy a new one?”

“Well you’ll need one in my opinion, but no pressure. We can use mine for now.”

“Let’s get a new one and be done with it.”

“Could we throw in a new broom, dustpan, mop and some wipes too?”

“Sure. I appreciate the help, Art.”

Art laughed and tilted his head toward Bill. “You are more than welcome, I have a cleaning fetish you know.” They both laughed. After all the best jokes were always partly true. Back at the house, Dylan was looking through the sheets and towels. He pulled out his phone and called Art.

“Hey, Art. I’m going to clean the sheets. But they are rags, so are the towels. Any chance of picking up some while you are out? Might need some more washing liquid too.”

“Will run this past Bill, thanks for the heads up.”

Dylan listened to Matt and Jed playing in the sleep-out. There was not much useful work being done. This, he thought, was the very best outcome. The more fun the better today. He walked around the house stopping to look carefully at the furniture and walls. So little had changed, except for the house acquiring a tired look and dank smell. As he went through the rooms he opened the windows and internal doors.

The beeping of the washing machine prompted Dylan to retrieve the washing and head to the clothesline. Dylan wiped the accumulated dust from the clothes basket and picked up the pegs. “Wooden pegs?” thought Dylan. They were mostly broken and weathered.

“Hey, Matt, Jed come here,” called Dylan. “Here’s fifty bucks. Please pedal up to the supermarket and get a couple of packs of clothes pegs. Grab some snacks too.”

“Let’s go,” yelled Jed as he ran to the bikes.

Bill looked down at the sheets, towels and vacuum cleaner loaded into the trolley. “I hope this fits in your car, Art.”

Art laughed. “The one good thing about owning a Mini is that it stops you buying too much in one go!”

“I can see that. Nonetheless, this is the biggest shop I’ve done in a while.”

“Well, it’s a good start, Bill. But if we’re going to make the changes we talked about it may not be the last.”

As Art drove slowly down the driveway he saw Matt and Jed appear in the rear vision mirror. He slowed to a stop. The boys came tearing past, one on each side of the car.

“Thought they might do that,” said Art. “I was such a placid child in comparison.”

“Hey, boys come and give us a hand,” called Art.

Matt and Jed sprinted inside then back to Art and Bill. “Whatcha got?” asked Matt.

“All sorts,” replied Art, “grab everything off the backseat and boot and put it inside please.” As the boys emptied the car Art and Bill walked around to Dylan who was about to hang up the washing. Bill grabbed a handful of pegs.

“See you, gents, inside in a minute. I’ll get the boys started with the vacuuming,” said Art.

“Hey, boys. Reckon you can unpack and assemble the vacuum cleaner? Matt’s new room needs a clean.”

Art walked back out to the clothesline. “Bill, I have some ideas to run past you.”

“Hmmm,” replied Bill cautiously.

“Imagine.” Art waved his arms in a big circle. “That the door and window on this side of the house were replaced with a big sliding door onto a deck. The top level of the deck would run along the side of the house and there could be a lower level that was a big semi-circle coming out here.” Art walked in a big semi-circle. “That way you would have a lovely outdoor sunny area to sit and relax. I can’t see anywhere to sit outside at present.”

Bill put one hand under his chin and the other under his elbow, propping it up. “Gosh, that’s pretty grand thinking.”

“Well, a lot has changed in the last twenty years. Indoor, outdoor flow is the norm now. Perhaps not when this house was built.” Art turned back to look at the house with his hands on his hips. “The goal is to bring Jane back to a fresh environment right? So the same old behaviours aren’t triggered by the same old routines and surroundings. Sitting in the sun in the privacy of your backyard is therapy in itself.”

“Yes, that is the advice,” replied Bill.

“Well it’s your place, so you decide. But a deck is one possibility.”

“Just out of interest, Bill,” said Dylan, “Matt, Jed and I could build the deck. But you would need a builder to put the sliding door in.”

“Really?” asked Bill.

Dylan nodded thoughtfully. “I’m looking for things to do with Matt. This would be a great project and we could easily finish it before I head away. You could get the sliding door put in later, we would just need the builder to confirm the precise deck height.”

“Okay, I’ll think about it,” said Bill, “let’s see how the boys are going.”

Dylan winked at Art as they followed Bill inside. “Progress,” he thought. They could hear the vacuum cleaner starting and excited chatter.

“How is progress boys?”

“Matt sucked in a fly,” said Jed while laughing.

“Jeepers, Matt. You should have used the vacuum cleaner for that,” added Dylan.

Matt gave Dylan his whatever look. Dylan smiled, then threw a theatrical jab at Matt. “When you’re done come meet us for a snack. I hope you got something decent!”

 

Bill, Art and Dylan sat at the dining table in silence while waiting for the boys. Each was looking around imagining what could or should change. Bill put his elbows on the table and his face in his hands. After a few moments and some gentle rubbing he looked up and put his hands on the table.

“Okay, let’s put in the deck,” he said.