Healing Cousin George 1
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Rating: G |
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Added: 05/09/2007 |
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Synopsis: | Grief stricken following the death of his wife and with a young child. Alex goes to help his cousin look after the child and hopefully get his life back on track what happens next could not have been expected. |
Categories: |
Crossdressing / TV
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Healing Cousin George
"He's not coping very well, I'm sure he is still on the drink. I
spotted several empty bottles in the bin and the house is not being
cleaned very well" silence as she listened "Yes I know it's early dear
but we have to think of Melissa in all this" she listened again "Yes I
know that being a farmer takes up a lot of time but so even the more
reason why he needs some help" silence again "I know it's a risk if we
get the Social Work involved and losing the kid would probably push him
over the edge, but I can't think of anything else we can do, yeah ok
well talk more tonight"
Mum put the phone down she'd just returned from visiting my half cousin
George in Ayrshire.
George was 32 and owned a large farm near Irvine, he had a daughter
called Melissa who had just turned 2 years old when Melissa was born
there had been complications and unfortunately due to a undetected
heart defect in his wife Grace she had suffered a major heart attack
just after Melissa was born. The medical teams had done all they could
and revived her once only for her to suffer a further attack and
tragically she had died. Since then he had been helped by several
family members to deal with his loss at times he had seemed to be on
the mend but had several periods where depression had hit him hard and
he had gone backwards again. I liked George he was a big strong looking
guy, I'd only met him three or four times mostly at family occasions
and fortunately more happy ones than the last time I had been in his
company. On the other occasions our mutual love for a certain football
club had seen us build bridges and chat for ages about games and
players old and new.
Later that night when Dad returned from work I could hear them
discussing the situation again I thought I heard my name being
mentioned but maybe not, there was a bit of arguing , I could tell that
my Dad was certainly dead against getting Social Service involved and
was determined that we should deal with it in the family as he felt
Melissa would be taken from George if they became involved and put in
care. After all that had happened to George that was an option that
even I thought would be detrimental to George's recovery he had lost
enough in his life, losing Melissa would be the last straw.
The next morning I was sitting eating breakfast when Mum and Dad came
downstairs. "Eh Alex can we talk to you for a minute" they asked "Yeah
shoot" I said "Well you know how George is having some problems again
we were wondering if you could go and stay with him for a while and
help look after Melissa" I looked a bit stunned "I'm not much good with
babies" I said "Nonsense look how you helped Ashley when she had Megan
and your going to be a Primary Teacher so you know how to deal with
kids" Ashley was my sister who had been unfortunate enough to fall
pregnant after a one night stand with somebody she met at a nightclub
she was determined to keep the kid and when it was born she also needed
to work to feed it so I had helped out with child care while she went
to work. Also she was right I had just after my 22nd birthday I had
qualified as a Primary Teacher. "How long would I need to do it for,"
"Not that long just till he get's back on his feet or we can make other
arrangements, anyway your not due to take up your job at Northgate
Primary until mid August so tops about 10 weeks" my dad added
continuing "Anyway you two get on like a house on fire talking football
all the time maybe it's just what George needs a friend around" I
looked a beaten opponent "Oh I suppose, Ok I'll do it" "Thanks Alex the
family needs to stick together at times like this" mother said.
So by Saturday morning I was packed and ready a large case loaded into
my Dad's car and all three of us drove down to Irvine. George was out
in the fields when we arrived and Mrs Kane an elderly lady from the
village was looking after Melissa. She greeted us on arrival as I
lugged my case inside and on her instructions took it upstairs to the
room that had been set aside for me.
I looked out of the window of my room on a rolling landscape of
ploughed fields and pasture about 1,000 yards further down the driveway
was the main barn and what appeared to be a garage for farm vehicles a
silo and some milking sheds and sheep pens were also dotted around as
well as some other outhouses. This was the first time that I had been
to the farm the farmhouse itself was very much old style low ceiling
with wooden beams. The only change appeared to be that a modern
bathroom with a corner bath had been installed, a conservatory had also
been built just of the kitchen and central heating put in to replace
most of the old style log fires. Only one fire remained and that was
the one in the main living area which had a fantastic stone hearth
around it. Mrs Kane made us coffee in the kitchen and gave us the
latest on how George had been since Mum's visit. "He's been not bad had
a bit of a blow-out last night went down the local came home early this
morning a bit the worse for wear but not as bad as I've seen him. I'm
just glad that someone is going to stay with him I'm a bit too old for
all this now, but if you need any help Alex just give me a call the
numbers on the pad." Mrs Kane stayed around for an hour or so and then
my Dad gave her a lift home while me and Mum attended to Melissa. Mum
then left me alone to get on with it while she made dinner for George's
return.
Around 6pm we heard a jeep pull up outside and George got out and
walked to the door taking off his Wellington's he strode into the
house. "Margaret, William, Alex good to see you all" he said. I helped
mum set places at the table while George and dad went our in to the
Conservatory for a cigarette. Mum was making final preparations as I
nipped upstairs to check on Melissa who was still asleep following her
afternoon exercise. Over dinner we sat and make general small talk
until eventually George raised the subject "So are you ok coming here
to look after Melissa, Alex" I hesitated slightly "It's fine by me, I
don't start my job until late August and the experience with a child
will do me no harm" "You don't mind leaving your friends for a few
month's and staying here" "No that's ok as well a couple of them have
taken summer jobs and two other's have gone on a hiking holiday in
Wales so I would have been pretty much on my own most days anyway"
"Well that's ok then just as long as I'm not putting you out" he said
"Don't worry about it George were all family and were here to help" my
mother piped in as she lifted some plates of the table and went to wash
up. "Here let me give you a hand with that" I said standing up and
walking towards the sink. Mum and Dad stayed around for another hour or
so while I settled in before leaving just as it was getting dark "Call
us if you have any problems" Mum said out of George's earshot "I will"
I replied as she got into the car and drove off.
Me and George sat chatting about football and thing's then before just
before 10pm George announced that he needed to go and check on the bar
ns so off he went and I went upstairs to look in on Melissa. She was
still sound asleep with minor movements as she stretched and relaxed
back into her world of deep sleep. I tidied up the room a bit and then
went along to my room and unpacked the rest of my stuff into the chest
of drawers in the room. I had brought 2 0r 3 books with me to read
during quieter periods so grabbing a copy of the latest Richard Laymon
novel I flopped on to the bed and began to read. I'd been reading for
about 15-20 minutes when I heard Melissa cry. Soft sobs followed by
calls for her Mum, putting down my book I quickly moved along the
corridor and opened the door "Shoosh honey, I'm here" I said
approaching her bed and picking her up. Her little arm slipping around
my neck as I tried to comfort her she kept calling for her mum and her
dad "He'll be home soon darling" I whispered into her ear as her sobs
began to ease slightly, soon she was once again asleep and I eased her
back down into her bed. I left the door open and went back downstairs
put on the kettle and made myself a coffee. Looking at the clock it was
just gone 11:15 pm "Where is he" I spoke out loud as I looked out the
main window and down the farm track.
I must have fallen asleep as I awoke with a start as the door opened
with a bang. As I adjusted my eyes to the light, George appeared the
worse for wear as he staggered into the room "You shoduv gona bed" he
said speech slurred as he walked over to the drinks cabinet "Uh Uh no
more" I said intercepting him before he got there "You've had enough" I
said "Huw's lissa" he mumbled "She's fine fast asleep" I said "now
let's get you to bed" Putting his arm round my waist I guided him to
the stairs and helped him climb up to his room. Once inside I let him
slide onto the bed before I pulled off his boots and dropped a cover
over him "Sleep well" I said as the first sound of snores rose from the
bed as I closed the door to the bedroom. I looked in on Melissa and
noticed another single bed in the corner of the room deciding it might
be wise to be close to her I pulled off my shoes and shirt and lay on
top of the bed soon like everyone else I was fast asleep.
I was woken by a strong rapping at our front door pulling on my shirt I
buttoned it up and trotted downstairs. Opening the door I found a guy
in probably his late 20's at the door, "George sleep in again" he asked
"Eh what time is it, just after seven, said he'd meet me in the field's
over by Bakers Wood" he said " "Ok look I'll go and wake him get him to
meet you over there ok" "Yeah fine did he have a heavy night again" "No
he's just a bit too tired with all that's happened" I said defending
him "On my way" he said as I closed the door and hurried upstairs.
"George wake up you need to be at work" a few grunts as I shook him
finally he started to stir "There was a guy at the door looking for you
said something about Baker's Wood" "Oh that's Pete yeah I was supposed
to meet him over there, what time is it" "just after quarter past
seven" "Ok I'll get washed and be on my way" "You want any breakfast" I
asked "No it's ok just make me up a flask of coffee" I went downstairs
and made up the coffee I also managed to butter up a couple of rolls
and dropped some cold meat on them before he came down. "There" I said
handing him that flask and rolls as he left the house. I went upstairs
to wash and shave before I needed to see to Melissa.
By dinner time Sunday there was still no sign of George I looked down
the farm roads looking for some tell tale sign's of his arrival but
there was no sign. I fed Melissa and put her down for the night leaving
the door slightly ajar to listen for any noise should she wake. I lay
on top of my bed pouring through another few chapters of my book.
Around 10 I heard a car draw up and the sound of a drunken George get
out mumbling a goodbye to the driver before it drove off. I went
downstairs and arrived just as he entered not as bad as the night
before but still somewhat drunk. "You need to stop this" I said walking
towards him as I approached I could see lipstick marks on the collar of
his shirt and smell perfume from him. "Where you been" I asked "Eh just
went for a couple" "Eh more than a couple" I answered "This needs to
stop you've got Melissa to think about" he sat down his head in his
hands, I thought I could hear a slight sob, I crouched beside him "I
know it's hard" I said but you've got a wonderful daughter who wants
her dad with her sober, not like this you've hardly seen her this
weekend" "I know" he mumbled through some tears "But I miss Grace so
much" his sobs increasing "I know" I said squeezing his arm "You want
anything to eat" I asked "No it's ok I'll get some sleep we've a big
day ahead of us tomorrow," slightly unsteadily he got to his feet and
headed up the stairs, I locked the door and put out the light's and
followed him up. This was not going too well I thought to myself as I
followed behind him.
The next week was a bit better I busied myself with Melissa while
George only went of the rails slightly disappearing again on Tuesday
night and Wednesday night and returning drunk both nights although not
as badly as he had been before, we spent a couple of hours chatting
about Melissa, Grace and his feeling's, I generally though we were
getting somewhere. On Thursday I
Decided that I would take Melissa into the village and asked George if
she had a buggy "Yeah it's in the loft" he said as he strained to
recover from last night's hangover. Once he was gone I checked on
Melissa and went to retrieve the buggy. There was a small flight of
steps up to what really wasn't a loft but a small room built at the
back of the house. Inside I put on the light and searched around there
were several crates and boxes scattered around some old household
appliances etc. Being the curious type I opened a few boxes the first
couple had cutlery and dishes and another had a collection of household
ornaments and photo albums. I picked up one of the albums flicking
through it I saw pictures of George and Grace, she had been an
attractive girl about my height but with blonde hair cut shorter than
the average female maybe but still her feminine charms shone through.
Continuing my search I opened one of the crates and stepped back inside
was all lot's of her clothes. George had obviously not wanted to throw
them out and stored them away a bit musky and damp but still ok.
Finally closing the crate I moved on and found the buggy, leaving the
room I switched of the light and went to get Melissa for our walk.
With Melissa in the buggy we walked the two miles into the village. It
was the first time that I had been in the village for years nothing
much had changed there was the small sub-post office a licensed grocers
and newsagents, a butchers a small chemist and a fruit and veg shop, oh
and the local pub / hotel which I expected was where George did much of
his drinking. I stopped by the benches at the war memorial and sat with
Melissa in the overcast but pleasant fresh air several people went buy
nodding there heads or uttering a quiet hello as they passed us. Around
half an hour later I stood up and pushed the buggy towards the grocers
to pick up a few thing's inside I picked up a fresh loaf of bread some
cheese and milk a couple of tins of food for Melissa and a can of coke
for myself, and today's newspaper. Crossing to the till I presented the
items and the lady began to ring up my purchases. "That's George's
daughter isn't it" she asked "Yeah I'm Alex George's nephew just down
to help him out a bit" I replied "So sad what happened" she continued
"Yes" I replied quietly "Well you tell him were all thinking of him and
if he needs anything he only has to ask" she said as I handed over some
money for my goods "Eh I will thanks" I said as I turned to leave "Bye"
she called after me "Yeah bye" I said. Outside I turned sharply and
nearly ran into a young woman heading down the pavement "Oh I'm sorry"
I said as the buggy caught her shins. "It's ok" she said "Hey is that
Melissa I see in there, hello babes" she cooed at her bending to stroke
her cheek with her finger. "You must be Alex then" she said offering me
her hand "I'm Debby married to Gavin in the next farm" she explained
"Oh pleased to meet you" I said shaking her hand. "So you here for
long" she asked "Oh I don't know just helping out" I replied "Hey let's
grab a coffee" she said "Where I asked" the old tack shop down the end
of the village has turned into a small café and bakers" "Eh weil I
should be getting back" I said "Oh go on ten minutes" she said "Oh all
right" I said and we walked off together.
We reached the café and sat down a waitress approached us "Can I have a
black coffee and a slice of your apple cake" Debby asked "What about
you Alex" "Eh just a tea and maybe a sausage roll if you have one" I
asked the waitress nodding and headed off with our order. "So how is
George" Debby asked taking out a pack of menthol cigarettes and
lighting one she blew some smoke to her left. "He has good days and
bad" I responded "Is he still drinking as much" she asked "Some nights"
I lied "I thought so seen him in the Old Coach House on Sunday night"
she took a draw from her cigarette and went on "pretty far gone he was,
with that bitch Amanda all over him" "Whose Amanda" I asked "She's a
Social Worker from Kilmarnock, she was assigned to help George when
Grace died, but I figure she has her sights set on replacing her" she
said as she flicked some ash of her cigarette and went on "She's tried
to cop off with every farmer in the area wants to marry into money,
even tried it on with Gavin once till I left my hand print on her jaw"
she said with a smirk taking a final draw on her cigarette and crushing
it out. "Yeah he came in drunk on Sunday, and had lipstick marks on his
shirt" I confirmed "Yeah she was all over him in the pub" she said as
our food arrived. We chatted on I told her of my forthcoming job as a
teacher and she explained that she was a lady of leisure now but had
worked in a salon in Ayr before meeting Gavin. "Any children" I asked
"No not yet maybe in year or two when the farm's doing a bit better.
Hey you too should come over for dinner one night" she asked as we
finished our drinks "Eh maybe, I'll ask George" as she paid the bill
and we got up to leave. Outside she said "It's been good meeting you"
she said "and try to keep him away from that slut" she said "Eh I'll
try but I don't know if I can, I'll see you soon" I said as I turned
and began to wheel Melissa back towards the farm.