by Steve Gannon
“Who needs them?” said Allison resentfully.
“Yeah,” said Nate, noticing his sister’s tone. “They don’t need us. Besides, it’s my cake, so what I say goes. Right, Mom?”
Catheryn sighed. “Well, I suppose they’re busy now, anyway.”
Nate nodded. “Yeah. Too busy for us.” Then, in a stern and commanding voice, he mimicked his father’s time-honored order to commence. “Eat!” And for several minutes no one spoke, concentrating with single-minded resolve on the business of cake consumption.
“How’s the swimming going?” Catheryn asked Christy once the eating tempo had slowed.
Christy shrugged. “Okay, I guess. It’s just … I don’t know, Mrs. Kane. I’m thinking of taking a break.”
Catheryn raised a questioning eyebrow. She knew Christy’s recent performance at the western regionals—setting records in the fifty freestyle and hundred butterfly—made her a strong possibility for the upcoming Olympics. Though she was only a junior in high school, college offers had already started coming in. “I thought next season was critical to your scholarship chances.”
“It is, but … well, I guess I’m trying to keep my options open. My grades are good enough to get accepted to the University of Arizona without swimming. I have some money saved, and maybe my folks can help. If I work till Tommy graduates—”
“Until he graduates from college?” asked Allison, her mouth dropping open in amazement.
“If we can be together, what’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing,” answered Catheryn, setting down her fork and regarding Christy carefully. “Have you talked this over with your parents?”
“Not yet, Mrs. Kane. I would appreciate it if you didn’t say anything to them. It’s just something I’m thinking about.”
Catheryn remained silent, puzzled by Christy’s unexpected revelation and surprised that Tommy hadn’t mentioned it. “All right,” she said at last. “I will discuss it with Tom, though. He’s not the reason you’re thinking of quitting the swim team?”
“Of course not.”
About to add something else, Catheryn hesitated as Arnie stuck his head into the kitchen. “The raft’s about done, and I’ve gotta hit the road,” he said with a wave. “See you kids later. ’Bye, Kate. Oh, don’t let Dan forget we have a meeting with the brass first thing tomorrow,” he added. “I already discussed it with him, but I have a sneaking suspicion that after a dozen or so more beers it may just slip his tiny little mind.”
“Sure thing, Arnie. You okay to drive?”
Arnie grinned. “I’m fine,” he answered. “I switched to water a while back, unlike your loving husband. Besides, in case you haven’t noticed, I can drink Dan under the table any day of the week.”
Forty-five minutes later, as the cake party trooped out to the beach, Kane had just finished bolting a heavy galvanized mooring swivel to one of the main beams, and Travis and Tommy were nailing the last of the redwood planks. “What do you think, troops?” said Kane, giving the swivel bolt one final twist. “Not bad, huh?”
“Yeah, check it out, Mom,” said Tommy, momentarily looking up from his work. “There’s room for at least ten or fifteen people. And the way it’s sitting high on the barrels, the waves won’t splash you when you’re on it.”
“It’ll have a ladder, too,” Travis added proudly. “It hangs down below the barrels, so we can’t attach it till the raft’s in the water. Pretty great, huh?”
“Terrific,” said Catheryn. “When do you plan to launch it?”
“Next weekend, surf and weather permitting,” answered Kane. “I’d like to get her moored before the party.”
“The birds are gonna love it,” said Allison coolly.
“The hell with the birds, Allison,” said Kane, hopping up onto the deck and testing each board with his weight to ensure it had been properly nailed. “I’ll be spreadin’ the word to our community of feathered friends shortly. Soon as those winged rats find out whose raft this is, they’ll probably start flyin’ all the way to Santa Monica to relieve themselves—just so’s they don’t chance havin’ any stray crap land on my raft here. We’ll probably wind up with the only constipated seagulls on the coast.”
“That’s a switch,” Allison retorted. “Usually you scare the crap out of everybody.”
“Yeah. And that’s the way I like it,” Kane declared, still striding up and down the ten-by-ten deck. “Now, quit pickin’ on me and grab me another beer.”
“Yes, sir!” said Allison, flipping Kane an exaggerated salute.
Kane shook his head in irritation at his daughter’s retreating figure, then turned to Tommy and Travis. “You two finished yet?”
Both boys had returned to their task and were kneeling side by side, racing to pound in their final nails.
“Almost,” Tommy answered without looking up.
“Done!” said Travis. With a flourish of his hammer he rose to his feet, bowed, and dropped lightly to the beach. Tommy finished thirty seconds later. He magnanimously acknowledged his brother’s victory, then moved to stand beside Kane on the edge of the platform. After putting his arm around his father, he cleared his throat and solemnly addressed those sitting and standing on the sand below.
“Mom, Christy, and others not worth mentioning,” he said, winking at Travis, “on this momentous occasion, seeing as how Dad is obviously weakened and wobbly from slugging down innumerable beers, not to mention the fact he’s getting on in years, I’ve decided that this the perfect opportunity to declare myself the supreme, glorious, and undisputed king of the raft.” With a laugh he pushed lightly in the center of Kane’s back, unceremoniously toppling him from the deck.
A moment of shocked silence followed. Standing on the sand, Kane placed his hands on his hips and looked up at Tommy. “Think you’re ready to take on the ol’ man, eh?” he said with a red-faced, loopy grin.
Tommy danced to the center of the deck, signaling his response by inviting Kane forward with a wave of his hand. “Come get your punishment, old man,” he laughed.
Just then Allison returned from her journey to the ice cooler. “Here you go, Dad,” she said, handing her father a can of beer. “Don’t take things too hard. Everybody has to step down sometime. Even you.”
Ignoring Allison, Kane popped the beer and took a long swallow, watching as Tommy indulged in a stutter-stepping victory tour of the deck. Then, after finishing his beer in another prolonged guzzle, he crushed the can and tossed it atop the considerable pile already stacked against the wall. “It’s your funeral, cupcake,” he said, springing up on the raft.
“Come on, Tommy,” cheered Allison.
“You can do it, Tom,” yelled Christy.
“Yeah, knock Dad on his butt,” Nate joined in. “Kill him!”
“Kids!” laughed Catheryn.
Kane crouched and advanced toward his son, hands open and ready, the cords of his massive forearms rolling under the skin. He circled slowly, moving on the balls of his feet. Suddenly he darted forward. His left hand snaked out, closing like a trap on Tommy’s wrist. He yanked. Tommy dropped and went with the pull, driving his shoulder into his father’s chest and reaching down with his free hand for Kane’s knee, attempting to pull him off balance.
“Stay on your feet, Tom,” Travis shouted.
Tommy struggled to pull Kane’s leg from under him. Although Tommy nearly matched his father’s height, Kane outweighed him by thirty pounds. He easily broke the hold. He spun Tommy around without releasing his wrist, gripping him tightly from behind. Then, using his superior weight and strength, he dragged his son to the edge of the raft. Tommy fought to break free. Kane tenaciously maintained his advantage. Seconds later he gleefully dumped Tommy to the sand below.
As Tommy brushed himself off, Kane executed an elaborate, unsteady bow, blithely ignoring a maelstrom of boos and hisses from his family.
“Two out of three,” declared Tommy, jumping back onto the deck.
Kane smiled. “You’re a
glutton for punishment, kid,” he said,
beginning to slur his words. Then his smile disappeared. He advanced toward Tommy as before, weaving slightly as he approached. This time Tommy warily backed away, trying to keep from stepping off the edge, awaiting his chance. It came a split second later when Kane overconfidently lunged forward. Tommy sidestepped and grabbed his father’s right arm in both hands. He jerked with all his strength. Kane stumbled toward the edge, his free arm flailing wildly as he attempted to save himself. An instant later he tumbled to the beach. As he fell, the back of his hand caught Tommy in the face.
The family’s cheering abruptly evaporated as blood gushed from Tommy’s nose. “Tommy!” Catheryn cried, jumping to her feet. Tommy brought his hand to his face, staring in surprise at the bright flow seeping into his palm.
An instant later Kane bounded back onto the raft, his face flushed with anger. He hesitated, noticing the blood on Tommy’s face and the splatter on the redwood at his feet. “Don’t worry about it, kid,” he said guiltily. “A little blood ain’t gonna hurt the raft.”
“That’s not funny,” admonished Catheryn. She climbed up and moved to Tommy’s side. “It could be broken. Tommy, are you—”
“I’m okay, Mom,” Tommy mumbled through his hand.
Christy climbed up as well and offered Tommy a towel she had brought out to sit on. “Here, Tom,” she said.
“Thanks.” Tommy took it and held it to his face. “I’ll be okay. I don’t think anything’s busted.”
“Good,” said Kane. “Now that everybody’s satisfied we’re not gonna have to life-flight the kid to the hospital, how’s about moving your asses off the deck so we can finish the contest?”
Christy quickly dropped to the sand, but Catheryn stood her ground. “You don’t know when to quit, do you?”
“Don’t start with me.” Kane circled her with his arm and escorted her to the edge of the raft. “You heard him. Tommy ain’t hurt. It’s just a nosebleed.”
Catheryn broke free. “No, Dan. That’s it for today. Your little game is over.”
“Kate, you’re overreacting here. The kid can take it. He plays football, for chrissake.”
“That’s different. You and Arnie have been out here drinking all day, and I think you’ve overdone it.”
“Jesus, Kate. I’ve had a couple beers. I’m hardly drunk.”
“You’re acting like it. You know you’re not much of a drinker.”
“Kate, cut the crap and get out of the way.” Without another word Kane walked her the rest of the way off the raft.
“Hey, don’t push Mom,” cried Nate.
“It’s okay, honey,” said Catheryn. “It’s time for you to head inside. And the rest of us, too. Let’s go, Tom.”
Tommy glanced at his father, then back at Catheryn. “Mom, I’m okay. Really.” He took the bloodstained towel from his face and tossed it to the sand. “Look, the bleeding’s mostly stopped. Come on, Dad. This one decides it.”
“Attaboy, Tom,” said Kane. “I’m glad to see all my kids haven’t turned into pussies.” With a sloppy grin, he turned and dropped to a crouch. “Get ready to do some flyin’, rookie.”
The rest of the family watched in silence as Tommy backed from his father’s huge hands, once more trying to stay out of range, waiting for an opening. He studied his father’s eyes as he retreated, his back to the edge. Kane pursued him slowly, determined not to repeat his earlier error, steadily closing the distance, cutting off Tommy at every turn. At last he trapped him in a corner. Realizing he could no longer escape, Tommy feinted left and then reversed, hoping to catch his father unprepared. Kane reacted instantly, again cutting him off. Then, lashing out with lightning speed, he snagged Tommy’s red-splattered T-shirt and drew him in. Triumphantly, he twisted Tommy’s arm behind his back and retreated, stopping inches from the edge. “This is it, princess,” he said, starting to turn.
Just as he prepared to toss Tommy to the sand, two small arms snaked over the platform and wound tightly around Kane’s ankles. Off balance and propelled by his previous momentum, he began toppling backward.
“Nate, no!” Travis yelled. Oblivious, Nate maintained his death grip on his father’s legs, eyes squeezed shut in blind and dogged determination.
With ponderous, almost stately elegance, Kane and Tommy’s locked figures began to topple, falling in seeming slow motion, crashing like cut timber to the sand below. Kane hit first with a sickening, hollow thud. Tommy landed on top, his 190 pounds driving the breath from Kane’s body.
Nate stood frozen, horrified by what he’d done. Then, his face ashen with fear, he turned and streaked for the house.
Tommy rolled off Kane’s prostrate form. “You okay, Dad?” he asked.
Kane lay unnaturally still, his breath coming in racking, choking gasps. “Where is that little thumb-sucker?” he wheezed when he could finally speak. “I swear I’m gonna kill him.”
“You’re going to do nothing of the kind,” said Catheryn firmly. “It was an accident. And even if it weren’t, you had it coming. Christy, I’m sorry you had to see this, but sometimes my husband gets a little carried away. Now it’s time we all went in.”
“Somebody call 911,” laughed Travis. “Dad’s been injured by a nine-year-old,” he added, missing a look of warning from his mother. “Looks like we’ll need that life-flight after all.”
Groaning, Kane rose to his feet. He glowered at Travis. “Get over here, petunia,” he commanded, his voice ominously flat. “The rest of your girls take a hike.”
“No, Dan,” said Catheryn. “Trav is coming with me.”
Kane started toward her, determined to quash any further sedition. When Catheryn didn’t move, he spun her around and propelled her toward the house. “I mean it, Kate. Get lost. I ain’t gonna hurt your little darling, but there are some things we’ve gotta get straight.”
Catheryn whirled. “You leave Trav out of this,” she said, her eyes smoldering with anger.
“I ain’t askin’. Move!”
“Dan, you don’t realize how rough you can be.”
“Rough? Hell, like Travis said, even Nate can take me down.”
“Daddy, please,” Allison pleaded. “Trav didn’t mean anything—”
“I’ve heard enough out of you for one day,” Kane warned, turning to his daughter. “Shut your snotty yap right now. Don’t say another word.”
Allison’s eyes filled with hurt. Hand to her mouth, she turned and ran to the deck.
“Mom, please just leave,” Travis begged. “We’ll be up soon.”
Catheryn hesitated, realizing her continued presence was making things worse. Slowly, she turned and walked toward the house, pausing when she reached the seawall. “Dan,” she said, looking back and steadfastly holding her husband’s gaze, “I’m warning you …”
“Don’t interfere in this, Kate. Beat it.”
Cracking his knuckles, Kane waited until Catheryn had joined Allison and Christy on the redwood deck. Then he turned and regarded his sons. Tommy stood quietly beside his brother. The fall from the raft had restarted Tommy’s nosebleed. He had the towel pressed once more to his face.
“That was funny seein’ the ol’ man get knocked on his butt, wasn’t it?” Kane asked in a voice that could cut steel.
Neither boy responded.
“I’m talkin’ to you, Travis.”
“Well, yeah, sort of,” Travis admitted.
“Quit mumbling. Speak up!”
“I said yeah, I guess it was.”
“Yeah?”
“I mean yes, sir!”
“That’s better. How’d you like to get knocked on your ass, rookie?”
“Not much.”
“But it wouldn’t kill you, would it?”
“No, sir.”
“Good. Your mother seems to be of the opinion you’re made of glass or somethin’. Are you?”
“No, sir.”
“We’ll see. I’m giving you a chance to show what you’ve g
ot, boy. You can get up on the raft or go join the other girls up at the house. Your choice.”
Slowly, Travis mounted the raft.
“You too, Tom.”
Tommy blotted his face one last time and climbed up beside his brother.
“We’re gonna continue our contest,” Kane explained coldly. “Travis against Tommy, two out of three. And just to keep it interesting and make sure you’re both trying your best, the loser of each round is gonna get his tail booted by yours truly. Got it?”
Both boys nodded reluctantly.
“Good. Then go!”
The brothers circled each other, testing for weaknesses. With a sudden spring Tommy moved in and pushed hard against Travis’s shoulders, sending him stumbling toward the edge. Travis barely managed to stay on by grabbing his brother’s arm. A brief wrestling skirmish ensued, with Tommy’s greater strength quickly winning out. Less than a minute after it began, Travis found himself sprawled on the beach. As he started to rise, Kane placed his bare foot on Travis’s backside and pushed. Hard. Travis skidded on his face.
“Hey, Dad!” yelled Tommy, jumping down from the raft. “Don’t do that.”
“Get back up there, Tom. You too, Travis. And this time I what to see you trying for a change,” he added, glaring at Travis.
Travis rose, spitting sand. Numbly, he climbed back onto the deck. Tommy didn’t move.
“Let’s go, Tom. Round two,” Kane said.
“Dad, this isn’t right.”
“Let’s go. Now.”
“This isn’t right,” Tommy repeated.
“Come on, Tom,” Travis called, his voice resigned. “I’m okay. Let’s finish this.”
“Tommy lowered his head, staring stubbornly at his feet. “No.”
With thick fingers Kane grabbed Tommy’s chin and tipped up his head. Tightening his grip, he stared into Tommy’s eyes. “Last chance. I’m givin’ you an order, Tom. Get up there.”
Tommy stared back, his vision blurring , eyes burning with hurt and defiance. “No, sir,” he said.
“You’re disobeyin’ a direct order?”