Cheating Explained

Slice of Life Day 23: Pancakes, Live Music and a Surprise Visit

As you know, yesterday was a cheat day – something I don’t typically believe in. When I accepted the Slice for Life Challenge, I did so with the desire and motivation to write something daily. My competitive nature, although evolving over the years, still exists and, by doing so, doesn’t allow me to break a streak. So, as you may have read, my post yesterday was a quick copy and paste of quotes about writing.

Let me say that it did not sit well with me. Riddled with guilt, I submitted my post, and now it’s out in the world. I also explained it was a busy day. It was the last day of the quarter and the final day before spring break – a well-deserved break teachers begin counting down to in August. I tried multiple times to type a post while the kids finished their biographies or at lunch and specials. But the last day before break or not, there’s always something to do. And I think most teachers can relate, kids don’t stop coming up to my desk.

It doesn’t matter if I say not to. It doesn’t matter that I gave them all the directions needed  – clearly and concisely. It doesn’t matter if I literally told them everything they need them know. Twice. And then two more times. It doesn’t matter that I constructed a reinforced concrete wall surrounding the entire height, width and length of my desk. They still come. Like a swarm of locusts.

But I love them.

But since they didn’t stop coming up, I did not have a moment to write anything. Why didn’t I write when I got home? I’m glad you asked.

A couple of weeks ago, with spring break approaching, I had an idea. A very off-the-cuff idea that would earn me some best friend points – not that we’re keeping score. Because I’d lose. But this idea was going to give me a fighting chance.

Dustin and are I cousins. We grew up trading baseball cards, playing with Star Wars, going to movies and card shops. And of course, he and I would spend several days down in the cabin on the family farm playing cards by kerosene lantern and taking boat rides in pitch-black. It could be argued those summer nights by the creek with our cousin Gary, my older brother (and some special guest stars) are when being family and best friends coalesced.

Through the years, I have lived in several different places, including dorm rooms, a home of which I did not know the owners and what seems like a countless amount of apartments, townhomes and now a single-family. Dustin has stayed in everyone for at least one night. When he made a New Year’s resolution in 2000 to spend more time together as cousins, friends (and writers), he meant it. In that time, he’s gone above and beyond. He was there for my dad’s memorial service and was one of my four best men at my wedding a few years earlier.

Six months ago, Dustin lost his wife to colon cancer. It was another tragic loss – too many for him in the last couple of years. Jeanette was a beautiful, gentle and loving spirit. In the time since Dustin has done a commendable job of doing what he can to heal and move forward. Not to mention many ways he continues to honor her – a testament to his devotion and whole-hearted love he had for her. *Look for the link to his blog below.

I wanted to do something for him. Something that shows I’m here for him. Too many times words are spoken but action sits on the side of the road, smoke rising from under the hood and tires flat. It’s not the kind of best friend I want to be. I want to be on that shows up – without having to asked.

So I didn’t.

I didn’t ask.

I decided I was going take a mini road trip north and spend the weekend hanging out. Of course, there was a problem.

My wife, er, rather my severely underpaid wife, who does an absolute amazing job with the youth of our church (she’s technically the youth director but they refuse to acknowledge that). One of her many responsibilities – that she’s severely underpaid for – is planning the Epic Easter Egg Hunt. I mean, we’re talking 20,000 eggs. In Jaws, they needed a bigger boat. For this hunt, my wife is going to need a bigger basket. With that said, I’m expected to help. I don’t mind helping. Serving the church is an important part of my faith – even though I need to step it up a bit.

I won’t say I was the most loving husband when my plans for visiting Dustin were being wiped off the face of the Earth. I won’t say I didn’t growl. Unless good husbands growl. Then I did. More than once.

Then Thursday came and so did a not-so-pleasant forecast for Saturday’s egg hunt. They were calling for rain all day, so it was decided to postpone the event. The 20,000 candy-filled eggs will have to wait.

So, you know that means.

I was going to Dustin’s. But I wasn’t going to tell him. I don’t know why, but I have a knack for arriving unannounced. This has boded well for me so far, but I know one day it won’t. I had to figure out a way to know he’d be home before driving four hours. I texted his son and asked him if he could found out what his dad’s plans were for the weekend. The Maple Harvest Festival was Saturday. And where there’s free all-you-can-eat pancakes, there’s where Dustin would be too. I had no problem with that. I could do pancakes. But since my plan was to leave after school on Friday, I needed to know if he’d be home around 8:00.

Me: I have this idea on my commute today. It’s too complicated to text. Will you be around at 8:00 so I can call and tell you about it?

Dustin: Sounds great! I’ll have my whiteboard ready.

It’s not unusual for us to toss around ideas to one another. He figured I was talking about a story idea, so it didn’t surprise me he’d be ready with a board and marker. My plan was going to work.

On Friday at 3:45, all buses had been called and I set sail – via Honda Pilot – to State College. With my audiobooks queued up and U2 at the ready, I was on the road with an ETA of 8:00. And he had no idea what was happening.

I pulled in his drive at 8:10 (Okay, so I missed an exit) and called him.

“So I had this idea,” I said. “I thought I’d hang out with you this weekend? I’m in your driveway.”

“What?!”

I saw him peek outside the window, and when he stepped outside, I think it was safe to say he was surprised. But more than anything else, touched.

It was good to hug him. I wish I could’ve hugged the pain away, but I know hanging out will help.

It’s now Saturday and we’ve already talked a lot about school, books, movies and music. Today, we went to Shaver’s Creek for the Maple Harvest Festival. And let me say how glad I was to be there. Yes, the pancakes smothered in a bucket of syrup were delicious. The two sizzling sausage patties helped me forget about the chill in the air. The music made it an absolute delight.  Dustin’s son, Isaac, has become quite the musician and a talented lyricist. He and his friend Justin, played for an hour – some originals, some covers – and I loved every minute of it. I can’t wait to try learning guitar again and I have lyrics swimming in my head waiting.

Thank you Isaac and Justin! Thank you to Jen for getting me a ticket and thank you Dustin for letting crash unannounced at your place.

Dustin’s blog is: www.carpefabula.wordpress.com

To hear some music from Isaac and Justin, search Isaac Brackbill and Justin Kurtz on soundcloud.com

Dream Out Loud,

rg