Guys Summer

Guys Summer

Michael had been riding for nearly two hours without stopping when he realized he hadn’t really been present. He needed to stop for gas. He’d driven his Harley through down town Los Angeles, through the deserts of the Antelope Valley and was nearing Kern County and hadn’t noticed his surroundings until now. A habitual ride, he had made this same trip a hundred times before. Still a little alarming when you wake from one of those zoned out feelings. Michael pulled off in Rosamond to get gas and some water. It was mid July and blistering hot.

When Michael’s cousin Jeff called and said “I need you, meet me at the lake house”, Michael hadn’t even stopped to ask why. Michael vaguely remembered shoving his size ten feet into his shoes, running down the stairs and out the door. Michael and Jeff had been keeping in close contact recently. Michael knew that Jeff had come a long way but people relapse and Michael was afraid for Jeff. Michael had seen Jeff come much to close to suicide after his separation from his wife and Michael wouldn’t let that happen. Michael had helped Jeff find a counselor. Jeff was distraught and feeling helpless that his wife had left him. Jeff took full blame for the separation. Jeff understood now that it was an addiction that caused him to act in such a disrespectful way. He knew that although he loved his wife with all of his heart he was unable to be faithful. He and his wife had a wonderful intimate sex life but Jeff not understanding why always longed for more and hated him self when he found more. He believed he would never have a loving relationship because he could never be faithful to anyone. Michael wanted to show him that he could get help and it wasn’t hopeless. Since Jeff had started seeing someone for his issues he was actually dating his wife again and Jeff felt he had Michael to thank for that.

Michael had been time traveling ever since leaving his house. Memories of the years that Michael and his cousins spent at the lake house flooded him. It was their grandfathers lake house where they had spent every summer as children. It was precious time with their fathers, grandfather and what seemed most important at the time, with one another. They referred to it as guys summer.

Michael had always lived in Los Angeles. He was quiet and a little shy, the voice of common sense when the other boys came up with another wild scheme. Michael would try and reason with them but would end up doing it their way more often than not and would usually have the best time of all of them. Michael and his sister had dark eyes and dark hair like their mother. This made them stand out from their cousins. Michael’s dad, Denny was the youngest of the Hardcastle boys and considered the favorite by his brothers.

Jeff lived in Phoenix when they were growing up. He had since moved to San Antonio, Texas. Funny and quick witted with humor that if you didn’t know him might be taken the wrong way. Jeff had the typical messy blond hair and blue eyes that ran in the family. He looked like his father and his uncles for that matter. Jeff’s dad, Doug was the oldest and married young having half a dozen kids by the age of 30. Five daughters and one son, Jeff.

Peter and Paul traveled the furthest. Each year they would fly out with their dad, Robert from New York. Peter was the more outgoing, adventurous twin. Peter was competitive and talented, critical and affectionate. Peter was the first one to try something new and dangerous as long as it didn’t include getting into the water. Paul was the quieter of the two. Lost in the shadows when Peter was anywhere around. A bit of a loner yet when Peter had a chance to shine he was a real charmer. Peter and Paul’s dad, Robert was the middle child. His only children were the twins because he was divorced soon after their birth. Robert was a workaholic so the summers were a precious time of the year that he always took off no matter what to spend some quality time with his sons.

This guys summer had strict rules; no women allowed, no overbearing mothers and no nosey sisters. It was a tradition their grandfather had started with his sons when they were kids. They had made the trip every year. Michael could only think of once that he knew of that the trip hadn’t been made. That was the year grandma was hospitalized in June and died a month later. No one ever mentioned the guys summer that year.

Each summer was filled with fishing, camping, forts, swings made from rope, slingshots, barbeques and home made ice cream. Countless nights around the campfire hearing horror stories from their dads and grandpa. Some evenings included stories about what each of the fathers had been like as boys. There was the swimming of course. The boys loved jumping into the lake and would swim for hours. The only problem with that escapade was that Peter wouldn’t get in the water. Peter couldn’t swim, wouldn’t swim and wanted nothing to do with learning to swim. The cousins, after over hearing a comment made by one of their fathers on Peters disinterest in swimming, always joked with him that in his past life he must have died in a tragic drowning. Peter was normally fearless. The closest the guys could get him to the water was in the boat to fish.

By the time Michael had finished pumping gas into his Harley it was 1 p.m. and he still had a good hours drive ahead of him. All those summers ago seemed like yesterday to Michael and he was certain that his cousins felt the same way. Michael wondered how many summers there had been. Denny had told Michael that he started taking Michael when he was 3 years old. Their dad’s had said that they waited until the boys were potty trained. The four cousins were all the same age. Peter and Paul twins born in January, Jeff was born 2 months after them in late March and Michael was born in July. Michael was considered the spoiled one because he was always able to celebrate his birthday with his cousins during Guys Summer. So that would make it 12 summers including the last one when the boys were 15 and the guys summers tragically ended.

Michael had finally reached the lake a little before 11 a.m. He walked down the overgrown path toward the cottage to see if Jeff had arrived. Jeff was no where to be seen. Michael stood on the higher ground and looked down at the lake. Michael worried about the foolishness of lake visitors who were out for a good time. Michael worried about everything. A memory of swimming in a panicked form struck Michael. Thankfully the memory was broken by Jeff calling his name from down another path.

“Michael, you made it in record time dude”. The men walked quickly toward one another and gave each other a huge bear hug while Jeff added “you must have flew down on your Harley, did you have wings installed on that moped or what? Michael, man, I hate to be the barrier of bad news, but you were going so fast all your hair fell out. But its okay, some of it stuck on your lip, here let me get that for you” Jeff reached out for Michaels chin as he poked fun of his shaved head and mustache.

As Michael swiped away Jeff’s reach he commented “And by the looks of it I guess you walked? You look like crap” Michael jabbed at Jeff and pointed at his wrinkled shirt and the fact that he was wearing sneakers with no socks. Jeff was 5’10” the average height of all of the cousins. Jeff had gained a few pounds since the last time Michael had seen him. A good 20 pounds over Michael’s firm 150.

“No, I parked the car down the road there. Don’t want to get any brush stuck up under her. My baby couldn’t handle getting her underbelly that dirty.” Jeff laughed a nervous laugh now. “As soon as I got here I had to visit old faithful, she is exactly the same Mike. I mean exactly. I don’t know when you were here last but I believe the same roll of tissue is still hanging from that rope that was there when I was here in 1999”.

“You’re kidding, the outhouse is still standing? No way. You are braver than I then if you visited that hole”. Michael laughed and noticed that Jeff’s smile was fading fast.
Michael could tell that Jeff was feeling a little awkward about the earlier S.O.S. so he approached the matter with him carefully. “So are you okay cuz?”

“Michael, you’re going to kill me but I may have called you in a moment of weakness and had you come all this way for nothing” Jeff declared.

Michael surprised Jeff by saying “Good”.

“Good?” Jeff asked

“Well it’s good that I get to see my favorite cousin Jeff and it’s good that it isn’t because something is wrong” Mike answered in an upbeat tone that put a puzzled look on Jeffs face.

“You are such the therapist Michael” Jeff remarked with a bit of witty sarcasm.

“No, I’m a Social Worker” Michael exclaimed

“Same thing” said Jeff.

“No, it’s not the same thing” Michael said more firmly. “But, I would love to get into your head and play around with what you got going on up there” Michael said with some humor. “It won't hurt much, I promise” Michael added with an evil snicker.

“Nah, you wouldn’t want to get in there” Jeff said a little too seriously “it’s not pretty”.

“Yeah, I have some stuff in my head that I would be a little uncomfortable for anyone else to see myself” claimed Michael. “Well anyone other than my therapist”. Like I said I’m not a counselor but I know enough counselors to know that it isn’t good to hold to much stuff inside. It will start leaking and oozing out from all sort of odd places” again Michael chuckled. After a second or two of quiet Michael said in his most reassuring voice “Jeff, seriously you know you are safe with me if you just need to talk to someone. None of us came away from our last summer here unscarred. You can’t survive an accident and lose family like we did and not have some level of issues”.

“Yeah, physical scars were medically corrected. The emotional scars are another matter. If anyone understands where I am coming from it would be you Mike.” I can’t thank you enough for referring me to Dr. Konrad. He’s been a life saver and I am beginning to feel hopeful again” Jeff said quietly walking away from the cottage and toward the dirt road leading to the lake. Michael would have preferred to go inside but Jeff didn’t look ready for that.

Michael finally shared some thoughts that were bottled up inside “I think one of the saddest things for me has become not keeping in closer contact with everyone. Holiday cards and getting together for weddings and other celebrations aren’t the same. I think that is why the Guys Summer was so great for everyone. It’s just been something to hard to face here at the cottage together I guess. I think everyone’s been here over the years but never together again. A few years ago I tried getting everyone to plan a trip out here for a guys summer. I mean we have a new generation of Hardcastles who would learn a lot about their family if we could get everyone together again. I decided to back off and let it go back then because my calls were being avoided and they began to get angry. It’s too bad though.

Each man was lost in their own thoughts and memories. Each, unknowingly, was thinking the same things.

It was their last Guys Summer. 1987 the cousins were 15. A good age if timed just right. That summer it was just right and everyone was having a wonderful time. All of them were in high form. They had been there less than 24 hours when the boys started begging and pleading to be allowed to camp out closer to the lake this year on their own. The boys knew the lake side like the back of their hands. They had seen every little nook and cranny. Well at least the North side of the lake anyway. Their dads weren’t going for it until grandpa stepped in and took their side. Grandpa Hardcastle was one of a kind. He had worked on oil rigs. He was a self made multi millionaire by the time the boys were born. He had become a representative for the big oil companies, traveling the world. Grandpa Hardcastle had retired when he began to lose his sight from diabetes. The boys were two. Grandpa’s best friend was Tonto, a German Shepard guide dog that Grandpa partnered with a few months after Grandma passed away. Grandpa saw himself as an Indian, thus the name Tonto for his side kick. The only give away to Grandpa’s millions was the ring he wore. Recreated from his wife’s wedding set and his own the ring was worth an easy 5 million. His sons worried about him wearing it but it meant a lot to him and he felt that no one would ever believe that it was worth so much.

Another skill Grandpa had from all of those years as a representative, the skill to wheel and deal. The final deal made on that day was that the boys would be allowed down nearer the lake after their nightly campfire. Grandpa Hardcastle shared stories that night of his life on the oil rigs and the tragic deaths of close friends “Men risked their lives on a daily basis and didn’t blink twice about it” Grandpa had stated proudly. “It was a part of life though and everyone was glad to have the job during a difficult time for most. You didn’t hear any of this moaning and groaning about a little hard work like young men today. The men than knew that it was their job to provide for their families.” While Grandpa talked the boys listened carefully and their dads listened too. The men remembered the many other years growing up that their father had shared these stories with them and each man had grown up to have strong work ethics and value the importance of family. The atmosphere was getting a little serious so Grandpa broke out in song. One of his many favorite songs that usually ended up in some disgusting line that could only have been told during Guys Summer and was never to be repeated when they returned home. We laughed until it hurt because no one could deliver a punch line like Grandpa.

Paul asked if it was time for the home made ice cream yet and that was all it took. Grandpa was on a roll. “Ice Cream? Ice Cream?” Paul tried to stop him “Grandpa, no it’s ok” Grandpa was looking directly in Pauls direction as if he could see him. “You do know” Together the men and the boys declared “There he goes” Grandpa continued as if he didn’t hear the moans and groans around him. “how old I am right? I am going to be 82 this year. You do know that I am BLIND? Yet you are expecting that I worked all day to make home made ice cream for you boys? You young boys, practically men, sleeping til noon. You young men, while you were out tearing up the lakeside and you were probably sneaking in a nap. Sure I can get up at the crack of dawn and fumble around without any sight and find all my secret ingredients to prepare your home made ice cream. Sure I can use the little muscle I have left to create a desert for you to die for”. Grandpa took a deep breath and continued as the rest of us began to laugh. “I might trip, I might fall and crack my head open on some piece of furniture that you boys have shoved out of place or maybe a football that was left lying around because everyone thought someone would pick it up. It’s not any of your worry though. I just hope when I do fall that I don’t disturb your sleep”. Grandpa stopped suddenly and we all looked at one another knowing that if someone spoke to soon it would only set him off again. A moment passed and Grandpa stared in the direction of the fire and waited for it. This was what we referred to as Grandpas little jaunt that he would go on now and then that always made the kids laugh as they were growing up because it made the Dads get this weird looks on their faces and roll their eyes and moan “There he goes”. Now it was all seven men who moaned the same statement. He might choose to make it out of the simplest of things. Asking him if he wanted some water or if he knew where the supply of toilet tissue had been stored. It didn’t matter, when the mood struck everyone had to sit and hang on for the ride. “Maybe” Grandpa started again and we all burst out in laughter and he ignored it. “Possibly, one of my sons would like to get up with me one of these mornings and learn this great family tradition.” His oldest son almost spoke up because he was always up with his father each and every morning and had assisted in everything Grandpa did in that ungodly hour but than he thought better of it and chuckled to himself a little when his brothers glared at him.” If it isn’t to much trouble that is. It would be nice if this family tradition could be handed down after all after I am gone. Did I mention that I am going to be 82 this winter? Yeah, I did, ok then.” It turned quiet again and we all waited afraid to take a breath. Grandpa finally nonchalantly said “So what about that ice cream? Paul, I’ll make you a deal if you’d like to go get it under the back porch from the freezer there we could all enjoy that together, but you get the first helping”. Paul took off running yelling “Sure, Grandpa” behind him and everyone laughed once again.

During the ice cream treat the dad’s shared a couple of horror stories meant to keep the boys from wandering off during their little camp out. Then the boys took off running with their sleeping bags to finally make their get away. The cousins laughed through most of the night poking fun at one another. As the boys began to wear down and lay still they all began to complain about the heat. It was to hot to crawl into the sleeping bags but they felt a little exposed and unprotected laying outside of them. Then suddenly Jeff let out a yell and jumped up. “What is your problem?” snapped Peter while the rest of the boys let out embarrassing screams. “Something bit me” Jeff cried. “A Mosquito” suggested Paul. “No, not a mosquito” Jeff yelled while he circled his sleeping bag in the dark. Suddenly Peter jumped up. “Did it get you? It got you too didn’t it?” Jeff asked speaking quickly. This made the other two boys jump to their feet now and before you know it they were all swatting at themselves. “It’s red aunts you idiots, we laid our sleeping bags down on a colony of red aunts” Jeff and Paul started to pick up their bags and Michael and Peter yelled just leave them there.” The boys started running back to the cottage which was dark and gloomy looking. Each of the boys looked at one another and read one anothers thoughts. They were going to have to hear it from their Dads about not being able to handle the outdoors. Michael said “I’m going in I don’t care what they say”. “No” Peter said “lets just sleep out here”.

“I’m not sleeping out here” Michael said in a low tone

Jeff added “You know they are going to harass us until we can’t take it any more. Maybe Peter is right we should sleep out here.

Michael gave them all a dirty look and went straight inside and his cousins reluctantly followed. The boys grabbed blankets that were folded on the sofa and each took their favorite spots on the floor of the cottage. In the distance they could hear their Dad’s laughing hysterically.

In the morning Michael got up first when he heard some noise in the kitchen. It was Jeffs Dad and Grandpa. “Good morning” Uncle Doug said and looked a little puzzled at Michael. “Good morning” Michael replied While Michael was looking for a juice glass he heard his uncle whisper to Grandpa. Michael cringed at the idea that now he would have to hear from Grandpa to about the failure of the campout.

“So, anything you want to share with us?” Grandpa asked

“Nah” Michael said a little irritated.

“Slept pretty sound when you guys finally decided to come in last night I bet”

“Yeah, I don’t think anyone said a word. We were exhausted.” Said Michael

Uncle Doug nodded and with a grin looked down at his plate.

Michael frowned but let it go when the other three boys walked in. Purposely they all walked around the table to get a look at Michael.

“What?” Michael said with a scowl on his face

Peter just laughed and walked outside to go see ole faithful everyone figured

“Nothing said Jeff”

“Just surprised to see you up so early” said Paul

Denny walked in just after that and looked at his son not once but twice and shook his head. Peter walked back in and burst out laughing again.

“What is it” Michael yelled and got up to go into the bedroom where there was a mirror. On the way he ran into his Uncle Robert and he burst out laughing as well.

“You guys are all fools” Michael yelled when he finally got a glimpse of himself in the mirror. His cousins had drawn lines above each eye that made it appear as if Michael had long extravagant eyelashes. A little red marker on his chin looked as if an attempt at putting it on his lips had been made. From the other room he could hear everyone roaring with laughter and making remarks that at the moment Michael did not appreciate.

As usual the day went on and all the boys were out tossing the ball. Robert came out and yelled over to Peter to go down in the storage shed and get the ice from the freezer for the day at the lake. They had planned on eating last nights left over chicken that Michael’s Mom had packed an abundance of along with the corn on the cob that Uncle Doug was finishing up on the barbecue. Peter took off around the house and Michael and Jeff continued to toss the football alone. Paul was still down at old faithful where he had been several times that morning. Paul had more than his share of roasted marshmallows at the campfire last night and everyone agreed that this was his punishment.

When the guys had all finally reached the lakeside Grandpa was a little worn from almost taking a tumble over a stick on the path so his sons made sure he was sitting in a folding chair and comfortable before they got the boat from behind the trees and pushed it into the lake.

“Dad, you’re sure this is going to run right? Did Frankie take it for a test run” asked Denny.

“Yeah, he said he replaced what was needed and ran it for a good hour without any problems last weekend” his Dad yelled back to him. “I don’t care what you guys say I am going to break down next year and get a new boat. The boys all cheered on Grandpa’s idea and Tonto barked in agreement.

“They were all joking about dragging that thing into the water and not being able to get it running and having to drag it back again. The boys didn’t want to complain to loudly though because they were afraid that their dads would change their mind about going completely.

After the boat was in the water the majority threw themselves to the ground and took a breather. Robert was handing out water when he asked Peter “where’s the ice?”

Peter dropped his head and said “I forgot it. Paul was calling me from ole faithful asking for tissue and I forgot when I returned to the cottage to get it”.

“Peter” his father yelled.

“I’m going to go and get it, Dad. I’m sorry” Peter answered jumping up.

“No, you stay here with Grandpa” his Father insisted. “The rest of you go ahead on the test run while I run back up to the cottage.

“I don’t need a babysitter” yelled Grandpa “Tonto and I are fine here”.

“I’ll go” said Doug. “I need my fishing line anyway”

“Well I think I need to make a visit to ole faithful myself’ said Robert as he rubbed his stomach “so you come with me and get everything together while I take care of some private business”.

“Great” said Denny “were out of here then. Untie the boat Michael” and everyone else climbed on board.

The boys looked back at Peter who was standing behind Grandpa looking all sad. Jeff nudged his Uncle and pointed back at Peter and Grandpa. Denny yelled to his brothers as they were walking off “You sure you don’t want me to take Peter with me?”

“No, Peter stays” Robert yelled. “

“Sorry, kiddo” said Denny

Grandpa whispered “is your Dad gone?”

“yeah, he’s up the hill” Peter said sorrowfully.

“Go, run and jump in the boat” said Grandpa

Peter answered with a slow “No Grandpa, Dad said”

But before he could finish his sentence Grandpa yelled, “I said go, now go”.

Peter went running and jumped into the water. He went as far as his waist. The boys were quietly urging him to come on afraid that his father or Denny would make him go back. Michael had finished untying and releasing the boat and pulled at Peter to come on as he began to swim toward the boat.

“Come on Peter, it’s not that far. You can do it” Paul yelled to his brother.

“Peter shook his head and began to back up.”

Denny pulled at the engine cord a couple of times as they floated further and further away. “Crap” Grandpa heard him say. The boys were moaning and groaning in disappointment and the next thing Grandpa heard was a blast that followed the third pull of the engine cord. Grandpa fell over to his side and the next thing he realized his other two sons were rushing past him and into the water. Grandpa could only sit and wait.

Robert grabbed Peter who was panicked and trying to swim toward the boat and failing miserably. He shoved Peter to the ground firmly and said “stay put.” The flames from the boat were higher than the trees. A lot of yelling and screaming followed. Tonto was barking and running to the water and back to Grandpa.

Peter heard his father yell “Paul” It was quickly getting difficult to see anything through the smoke. Doug reached Michael who hadn’t quite reached the boat before it exploded. “Michael” Doug yelled Michael was unconscious. Doug swam back the 30 feet with him and listened for breathing. Doug thought he heard breathing but doubted himself as he ran to return to the water. Doug yelled “Peter, Peter” take care of Michael. Doug wasn’t sure Peter had heard him. Peter was staring straight ahead at the lake.
“Jeff” Doug yelled again and again. “Paul” Robert was still yelling. Robert would go under the water and emerge again yelling. Robert came up again just as Doug reached him and Robert pulled Jeff out of the water and shoved him towards his fathers’ arms. “Jeff” Doug cried. Jeff was unconscious and obviously burned. Robert was again yelling “Paul, Denny”. Doug was exhausted but made it back with Jeff. Doug started CPR on Jeff as he laid him on the beach carefully. “Please, Jeff don’t leave me” cried his Dad.
Doug could hear his own father screaming each loved ones name Denny, Michael, Jeff, Paul, Robert, Peter Doug, Please Dear God help them. Please!” On the third attempt Jeff began to spit out a gallon of dirty water. Jeff laid there a second or two before he began to scream. Doug wasn’t sure if it was caused by pain or terror.
As Doug turned he saw his brother Denny laid out on the beach on his back and Robert carrying Paul in his arms. Doug heard his father again yelling for everyone and answered Dad, Dad we’re all here”.

Arms draped over one another the men headed back toward the cottage. “Just amazing how little it has changed” said Michael. Jeff agreed with a nod. Michael opened the door and took the first step in. To say he was surprised would be an understatement. There crowded into the small cottage were Denny, Doug, Robert, Peter and Paul. “Oh, my God” said Michael in a whisper. “Happy Birthday Mikey” everyone yelled. As Michael hugged his Father Denny whispered “We’ve been talking and Twenty years is long enough” As each one hugged and tried their best to shrug off the tears Michael couldn’t help but notice the rings that each man wore like his own that were created from their Grandfathers ring and the tattoo on each arm that read In honor of Michael Hardcastle 1905 – 1987.

It had been amazing that no one had died of injuries from the boat accident that day.
Yet, the family did lose someone, they lost its matriarch. The Death certificate would read heart failure. His sons knew that their father had died from a broken heart, he couldn’t bare the possible loss of a son or grandson and knowing him somehow felt responsible. The family believed he made a deal as he pleaded with God that day. Please take me instead.


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