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WOOD-CHOPPING, 101
The Present
The years passed, and Dan strengthened in body,
soul, and mind. He was transformed from the black jacket wearing-hoodlum to a
scarlet-coated, helpful Bob-White. His sullen attitude disappeared, and soon
the real Daniel William Mangan was allowed to emerge. Good-natured, cheerful,
helpful, witty… These were the attributes that dwelled below the once sulking
surface. Though it was a challenge because of all the
days of school he had skipped during his time with the Cowhands, Dan managed
to graduate high school on schedule right along with his best friend, Mart
Belden. In spite of the whirlwind of activities, he often took time to stop
and appreciate his new life. He had traveled from the busy streets of Never in a million years would Dan have
thought the simple life could be so sweet.
There were lows amongst all his highs.
Sadly, Tim Cramer and Bruce Finley, the boys Dan had befriended upon first
arriving in Sleepyside, were killed in an automobile accident the night of
their senior prom. Once again Dan thanked God for the old man who had
pressured him to choose his company a bit more wisely. However, Dan did enjoy pointing out that Mart
didn’t just talk a lot when he was nervous; Mart talked a lot all the time. As he had dreamed for so long, Dan planned
to attend the “Are you nervous?” the old man questioned. “Nah,” Dan answered, with a slight shake of
his head. “I think it’ll go okay. My grades were really good this year, all
A’s except for those two B’s in physics and Trig. And although I haven’t been
able to participate in a bunch of extracurricular activities, I have done a lot of charity work with
the Bob-Whites. It helped Brian get that scholarship to Harvard, you know.” “I can help you with the college expenses if
you need me to,” Mr. Maypenny offered. “I know Regan’s saved up a couple
thousand to give to you, but from what Jim has told me, books alone cost an
arm and a leg.” “No, I’ll be okay,” Dan insisted stubbornly.
“Even if I don’t get this scholarship, I’m going to college. I’m determined to be the first Regan or Mangan
to get a degree of some kind, besides at the school of hard knocks, that is.” Mr. Maypenny smiled proudly at the young man
who he had raised as his own for the past three years. “Well, you know I can
give you a little, if you need it.” “You’ve done too much for me already, Mr.
Maypenny,” Dan said, casting an affectionate glance at the man he once
thought to be an ax murderer. “If John Jay doesn’t give me a full
scholarship, I’ll just find a part-time job. I’ll get by, even if I have to
live on bologna sandwiches and Little Debbie snack cakes.” “Well, you do your best at that interview,
hear?” “I will,” Dan agreed with a sheepish grin.
“I’ve got a speech all written out for the questions Jim and Brian said they
might ask me. Mart helped me make sure I used the right grammar and crap like
that.” “Hope you know what all the big words mean,”
Mr. Maypenny cracked dryly. “Mart told me to look ‘em
up.” Dan chuckled in amusement. “I had to have him pronounce a few of them
for me, though. I couldn’t say half of them.” “What’re you wearing to this interview?” Dan shrugged his shoulders as he popped a
bite of buttermilk biscuit into his mouth. “What I always wear. Black jeans,
T-shirt, cowboy boots.” “Oh.” Though he did not say anything else,
it was obvious that Mr. Maypenny disapproved of Dan’s choice of attire. “I’m gonna wear my nice black jeans,” Dan added, sensing
the older man’s disdain. “Not the ones with the holes in the knees.” However, Mr. Maypenny didn’t seem any more
pleased. “Will you be making a trip to the barber?” Dan shook his head, allowing his longish
black hair to move around slightly. “No, I just went last week.” “Oh.” Dan chewed his food carefully although he
couldn’t taste a single bite. He glanced over at Mr. Maypenny, a worried
expression clouding his dark features. “Is something wrong?” Mr. Maypenny wiped his mouth with a napkin
and then laid it in his lap. “Daniel, I rather hoped you’d put more effort
into your appearance for this interview, especially since you want a
scholarship so badly.” “I think I look fine,” Dan answered
matter-of-factly. “I won’t look any different than everybody else that’ll be
interviewed.” “Exactly,” Mr. Maypenny replied. “You’ll
like every other rebellious teenage boy that’s looking for a handout.” “I’m not
‘looking for a handout’,” Dan disagreed hotly, his Regan temper quickly
rising to the surface. “And I’m not rebellious, either!” “I
know that, Daniel,” Mr. Maypenny told him kindly. “I think you’re a fine,
upstanding young man who has struggled hard to make amends of his life. But
you have to admit that in that
get-up you look like the ‘rebel without a cause’.” Dan shrugged in response. “Maybe I like that look.” Mr. Maypenny paused for a moment. It was on
the tip of his tongue to ask if Dan thought those in charge of bestowing
scholarships would like that look, but he decided to take another route. “What
did Brian Belden wear to his interview with the administrators of Harvard?” “I’m going to John Jay, not some snooty Ivy
League school.” “Are you saying you’re not good enough for
Harvard?” “No!” Dan exclaimed. “John Jay may not be as
expensive or as well-known, but it’s as good a school as any!” “Exactly.” Mr. Maypenny smiled in
satisfaction as Dan proved his point. “So, what did Brian wear?” “I dunno,” Dan
answered reluctantly. “The girls were talking about my interview a couple of
days ago, and I think Trixie mentioned that when Brian had his, he wore a
pair of tan Dockers, a light blue polo shirt, and a navy sport jacket. But
that’s different! I mean, we’re talking about Brian ‘Mr. Responsible’
Belden.” “Does he usually wear those types of
clothes?” “Nooo,” Dan
drawled out slowly, his tone signifying it was against his will. “He usually
just wears jeans and T-shirts, like me. But just because Brian got all
gussied up doesn’t mean that I have
to.” Mr. Maypenny put down his fork in order to
give Dan his full attention. “Daniel, when I remember what you were like when
you first arrived in Sleepyside, I stand amazed.” The older man’s gray eyes shone with
emotion. “I’m so proud of you, son. I may be prejudiced, but none of the
Bob-White kids have worked harder to get where they are than you. When you
first came here, you were on probation and couldn’t even blow your nose
without having the court check your tissue. Now, this Judge Armen is sending
a letter of recommendation along with you on your interview. Do you realize
what that says about your progress?” “Then what does it matter what I wear to some stupid meeting?”
Dan inquired a bit angrily. “You want to prove Judge Armen right, don’t
you?” Mr. Maypenny inquired sternly. “You want to call him with news of a big
scholarship, don’t you?” “Well, yeah, but---” “People are judged according to their
appearance, son,” Mr. Maypenny explained gently. “Like it or not, the world
forms an opinion of us the minute they see us based upon how we look and how
we’re dressed. Remember what you thought of Jim and Brian when you first met
them?” “Yeah.” “Was that opinion correct?” “No,” Dan muttered unhappily. “What was your opinion of me when we first
saw each other?” Dan looked over at the old man, a
mischievous twinkle in his coal black eyes. “I thought you were a crazy old
coot.” “Well, in that instance you were correct.”
Mr. Maypenny’s own eyes were sparkling with merriment. “But you proved my point.” “If you’re so worried about first
impressions then why don’t you dress more normal?” Dan inquired defensively. “Because
I’m not going to an interview which will determine if I am eligible for
financial aid,” Mr. Maypenny retorted. “I don’t care if the teenagers snicker
when they see me in Lytell’s. They won’t affect my
future one iota. And for that matter, I
think they look dumber than a
barrel of hair wearing their britches halfway down their hind-ends, showing
their drawers.” “I don’t see the difference,” Dan remarked
crossly. “If you aren’t worried about what people will think, why should I
be?” “Daniel, do you remember what I wore when I
enrolled you in school?” “Yeah,” Dan mumbled reluctantly. “What was it, son?” “A suit,” Dan answered quietly. “A really
crappy one that didn’t fit right, but it was a suit.” “Yes, that’s because I wanted to make a good
impression as your guardian,” Mr. Maypenny said. “I didn’t want the school
officials to think less of you because your ‘crazy old coot’ of a guardian
was wearing his usual woolen knickers and turtleneck sweaters.” “So what’re you saying?” Dan questioned with
a defeated sigh. “Well, I’m not telling you that you have to buy a whole new wardrobe to wear
to college, if that’s what you’re thinking,” Mr. Maypenny replied. “I’m just
saying that there are certain situations in a man’s life when he needs to
buck up and look presentable. Weddings, funerals, church services, job
interviews… Sometimes you need to dress respectably, Daniel.” “You want me to rent a tuxedo?” Dan’s tone
dripped with sarcasm. “A sport coat will be fine.” “But everyone else will be in jeans,” Dan
grumbled. “Yes, but you want to stand out in a positive manner. You want to present yourself in a manner that’ll show those
college administrators what a fine, exceptional young man you are.” Mr. Maypenny looked hard at Dan, who was
sitting across from him brooding. “Daniel, I don’t care what Tom, Dick, and
Harry wear to this meeting. I want your
outward appearance to reflect what’s inside. In my opinion, there’s nobody
more worthy of this scholarship than you. You exemplify the all attributes
one needs to become a fine officer of the law. Let your clothes reflect the
man beneath them.” “Well, I’ll think about it,” Dan mumbled
half-heartedly. Mr. Maypenny took his wallet out of the back
pocket of his knickers. He peeled off a couple of hundred dollar bills and
laid them in front of Dan, who had been watching with great curiosity as the
old man thumbed through the bills in his wallet. “What’re those for?” Dan looked at the money
almost as if he expected it to jump over and bite him. “Those are for you, just in case you change
your mind and decide to get yourself some new duds.” Dan shook his head. “You might as well keep
your money, Mr. Maypenny. My mind’s already made up.” “Well, then consider it a contribution to
your book fund,” Mr. Maypenny told him. “I never had kids of my own to put
through school, so I’d count it an honor if you’d let me give you a bit of
money from time to time.” “Aw, you just want to be able to complain to
everyone how expensive college is,” Dan teased with a grin. However, he knew
if he didn’t take the money, Mr. Maypenny would be offended, so he stuck it
in his pocket. “Thanks, Mr. Maypenny. I really appreciate it.” “I know you do,” the old man replied. “I
hope you aren’t angry with me for speaking my mind. We’ve always tried to be
honest with each other.” “I’m not mad,” Dan told him honestly. He
stood up from the table. “Where’re you going?” Mr. Maypenny inquired. “I need to go chop some wood.” “We have plenty,” Mr. Maypenny remarked. Dan merely shrugged his broad shoulders as
he walked to the back door. “I know, but we can always use more.”
A couple days later, Mr. Maypenny was in the
utility room running clothes through the old wringer washing machine. The
slamming of the front door caused him to look towards the kitchen. “Mr. Maypenny!” Dan called. “Are you here?” “I’m in the utility room, Daniel!” He
returned to his task and soon he heard footsteps pounding across the knotty
pine floor. “Are you busy?” Dan asked,
his voice quite eager. “Of course,” Mr. Maypenny answered. “Idle
hands breed evil thoughts.” “Could you tell me whatcha
think of something?” “Sure.” Mr. Maypenny looked up, gasping as
his eyes appraised the young man standing before him. Instead of the usual black jeans, black
T-shirt, cowboy boots, and his BWG jacket, Dan was wearing a pair of black
dress pants, a gray-speckled sport coat, a white oxford shirt, a red and
black tie, and black wing-tipped leather dress shoes. The only thing out of
place was the ball cap on his head, which bore the insignia of “Do you like it?” Dan held his arms out a
little, moving around in a circle to model his new outfit. “Daniel,” Mr. Maypenny murmured with a soft
gasp, “don’t you look dapper? I can’t believe the difference.” “The girls helped me,” Dan admitted
sheepishly. “Well, Honey and Di, at least. Trixie mostly just complained that
we were taking too long. We couldn’t find anything at Crimpers,
so we drove to “They chose well,” Mr. Maypenny remarked
admiringly. “Now your outside
matches your inside.” “Look!” Dan exclaimed excitedly, pulling up
one of his pant legs to reveal a black sock. “I’ve even got fancy socks! I
was going to wear normal white ones with it because it seemed stupid to buy a
pair of $5.00 socks to wear with one outfit, but the girls told me I’d look
like an idiot. But I like ‘em now! Look at the cool
designs on them.” “Very sharp,” Mr. Maypenny agreed with a
nod. “And look,” Dan said proudly, “a tie! That’s
better than Brian’s polo shirt, wouldn’t you say?” “I would.” Mr. Maypenny stifled a chuckle. “I’m gonna have to
wear a tie eventually anyway for the “You look quite spiffy,” Mr. Maypenny
assured him. He quirked a bushy white eyebrow at the young man. “I assume you
won’t be wearing that hat during your interview.” “That’s the best part!” Dan whipped the
baseball cap off his head, revealing a military-style haircut. The back of
his hair was closely cropped to his head, his sideburns neatly trimmed. The
top was a bit longer, spiking slightly to the right. “Whaddaya
think?” “I think I can finally see your ears,” Mr.
Maypenny teased. Dan grinned. “Yeah, the barber even gave me
white floors.” “Whitewalls,” Mr. Maypenny corrected with a
smile. Dan looked up at the old man, his
onyx-colored eyes desperately pleading for approval. “Do you like it?” “I like it very much, son. But the important
question is: Do you like it?” “I didn’t think I would,” Dan admitted. “I
had plans to grow it back out right after the interview, but now I’m not so
sure. I actually kinda like it.” “Good!” “And
the best part is that the girls assured me that I looked very hot,” Dan added with the devastating grin for which he was
famous. “Hmm… I’d think it’d be a lot cooler,” Mr.
Maypenny remarked, scratching his chin curiously. Dan chuckled in amusement. “Not that kind of hot, Mr. Maypenny. The girls meant that I look attractive.” “Oh,” Mr. Maypenny muttered,
a quizzical look on his weathered face. He could never keep track of the
slang the kids used these days. “Well, Daniel, you look very respectable. I
wouldn’t be surprised if the people at the college agreed.” “Thanks! Well, I’d better get outside.” “Do you have plans?” “Nah, I was just going to chop some wood,”
Dan told him. “I thought we already had more wood than we
needed?” “We do,” Dan answered with a grin, as he
headed for the back door. “But I kinda like doing
it now.” “Daniel?” The young man stopped in tracked and turned
to look quizzically at his guardian. “You might want to change your clothes
first, son,” Mr. Maypenny suggested, an amused smile twitching at the corners
of his lips as he pointed to the dress clothes Dan was wearing. “Oh, yeah.” Dan hustled through the kitchen
to his bedroom, only pausing long enough to cast a sheepish grin in the
elderly man’s direction. Mr. Maypenny watched his departure with
great affection. He nodded slightly, and then whispered to himself, “He’s
going to do just fine.”
Dan got the scholarship for During his high school graduation four years
before, he had pleaded with Mr. Maypenny to attend. However, little known to
most, the old man suffered from a mild case of agoraphobia, which made it
difficult for him to be around large crowds. Though he had wanted to attend
Dan’s graduation at the Sleepyside Junior-Senior High School Football
Stadium, he asked Jim to tape it on one of those “contraptions” that would
make a tape he could watch on television. Jim agreed, and the day after
graduation, he loaded one of the Wheelers’ many TV sets and VCRs into his
ancient Jeep Scout and set them up at the cabin. Mr. Maypenny gathered around
with the Bob-Whites, watching Dan and Mart’s graduation ceremony. The old
man’s eyes grew a bit misty when Dan’s name was called and he went up on the
stage to receive his diploma. Before the graduation ceremony at John Jay
four years later, Dan never even asked Mr. Maypenny to attend. He knew that
though the old man wanted to come,
it would just be too difficult for him. When he went up front to accept his
degree, Dan was surprised to see a tall, wiry, white-haired man dressed in an
ill-fitting suit standing in the very back of the crowded auditorium. He cast
a smile in Mr. Maypenny’s direction and was rewarded with a somber salute. Now, as he sat on the podium with the other
cadets who had just graduated from the Some hoots from the middle of the audience
caused Dan to look in that direction. There, taking up several rows, were the
Bob-Whites, the Beldens, the Wheelers, Miss Trask, the Delanoys and, most
surprising of all, even Mr. Lytell. The front rows
had been reserved for family members, and Dan knew Regan would be sitting
close to the stage by himself. Mart, Di, Trixie, Honey, Brian, Jim, and Jim’s
current girlfriend, Felicity Carson, were clapping, although the blonde chick
by Jim looked like she could care less. The
current float in Jim’s ABC parade of Trixie-substitutes, Dan thought with
a grin. When the award for the cadet with the
highest achievement was given to Daniel William Mangan, several Bob-White
whistles echoed through the auditorium. Dan proudly accepted the award,
looking towards the front as a photographer snapped pictures of him standing
with the master-of-ceremony. He glanced at the front row, where his uncle
sat. He gasped in total shock as he saw
who was in the seat beside Bill Regan. On the very front row of the crowded auditorium
sat a visibly nervous Elijah Maypenny. His gnarled hands were clasped in his
lap and tears were streaming down his weather-beaten face. As Regan cheered
along with the Bob-Whites, Mr. Maypenny raised a fist in victory. As soon as the ceremony ended, Dan hurried
out to the crowd to greet his friends. Regan and Mr. Maypenny patiently
waited while the Bob-Whites and their families bombarded the new police
officer with hugs and murmurs of congratulations. The group finally left Dan
to return to the Manor House, where a party would be held in his honor. Once the Bob-Whites were gone, Regan was
able to embrace his nephew, his ruddy, freckled face beaming with pride. “Your parents would be so proud,” Regan
whispered. “I know they’re looking down on you from Heaven now, their Irish
eyes a’ smilin’. The first Regan to graduate, and
not only from college, but also from the police academy.” “Thanks.” Dan blushed, enjoying the praise
from his uncle. Regan did not hand out compliments often; when he did offer
them, they were genuine and heart-felt. Regan pulled away a bit and placed his hands
on his nephew’s broad shoulders. “I’m
proud of you, too. I always knew you could do it.” Dan’s heart swelled with pride. The
beginning of their relationship had been difficult, but through the years,
the two stubborn Irishmen had grown very close. This moment would be one that
Dan would remember years from now. “I’d better go find the Wheelers,” Regan
said abruptly, his voice catching with emotion. “I wouldn’t want them to leave
without me. Mr. Wheeler offered to drive me here.” When Dan looked over and saw the tears in
his uncle’s eyes, he understood the sudden departure. As long as he had known
Regan, the older man had never been comfortable showing his feelings. After
he waved good-bye to his uncle, Dan turned to Mr. Maypenny. “Didn’t think I’d see you here,” he
commented, a happy smile on his face. “I wouldn’t have missed this for the world,
Daniel,” Mr. Maypenny told him sincerely. Mr. Maypenny was not a “huggy”
person, so Dan stuck out his hand. Unlike their first meeting, he shook the
old man’s hand with strength and assurance. “I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for
you,” Dan murmured, blinking back a tear or two. “Of course you would,” Mr. Maypenny
disagreed. “I didn’t do much.” Dan snorted in disbelief. “Nah, you didn’t
do much, just feed me, clothe me, put up with my crappy attitude, work my scrawny butt off…” Mr. Maypenny chuckled. “Well, at least you
can say that you survived Wood-Chopping 101. And you know,
there were a few principles taught
along the way.” “Ah, principles,” Dan murmured thoughtfully,
scratching his chin. “So that’s what they’re calling ‘slave labor’ these
days.” Mr. Maypenny’s expression was wounded.
“Surely you wouldn’t begrudge an old man a few logs.” One look told Dan that Mr. Maypenny was not
really hurt; there was clearly a twinkle in his wintry-gray eyes. He wrapped
one arm around the old man’s shoulders. “Not at all. In fact, I’ve got the
itch to chop down a few more trees, if there’re any left, that is. I think
I’ll head out to the woods after we get back to Sleepyside.” “Seriously, I’m very proud of you, son,” Mr.
Maypenny told him. He reached over and clasped one gnarled hand gently around
Dan’s forearm. “May the good Lord bless you as you begin your new career. You’re a minister now, you know.” “Huh?” Dan’s eyebrows knitted with
curiosity. “I’m a minister?” “You certainly are,” Mr. Maypenny assured
him. “The Bible says those who maintain law and order are ordained by God to
protect people.” “Really?” Mr. Maypenny nodded. “The good book says in
Romans, ‘For he’, talking about a police officer, ‘is the minister of God to
thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of
God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that
doeth evil.’ ” “Cool.” Dan cocked his head thoughtfully. “I
didn’t know cops were ministers. But do I have to be celibate?” Mr. Maypenny choked suddenly. After he had
finishing coughing, he replied, “Ministers aren’t celibate like priests,
Daniel. Besides, you aren’t a minister of the gospel, only of the law.
Although I hope you’ll use some
discretion in that particular area…” Dan’s grin told the old man he had been
joking, as he was often prone to do. “I promise to always abstain.” With a
suggestive waggle of his dark brows, he added, “Whenever I’m on duty, that
is.” Mr.
Maypenny’s whiskers twitched with the effort of suppressing a smile. Dan led the way to the parking lot and
glanced around at the hundreds of spaces filled with vehicles. His ebony
brows furrowed as he suddenly remembered something. “Hey, how’d you get here
anyway? On the bus?” “Afraid you’re going to have a hitchhiker on
the back of your Harley?” Mr. Maypenny asked with a chuckle. “If you can find a helmet, you’re welcome to
hop on,” Dan replied teasingly. “Just hang on tight because I’ve got immunity
from the speed laws.” “I certainly hope you’re joking, Daniel.” Dan laughed uproariously, thoroughly
enjoying his guardian’s horrified expression. “Should I call a cab for you,
Mr. Maypenny? My treat.” “I’ll have you know that I drove here,” Mr.
Maypenny stated proudly. “Please
tell me that you didn’t bring your riding lawnmower here,” Dan beseeched, his
forehead creasing with worry. “I came in a car, Daniel.” “Not that old ancient jeep you used to beat
around the woods in?” Dan inquired incredulously. “I thought that rig had
been retired to the junkyard for scrap metal.” The old man rolled his eyes in exasperation
as he led the way down the parking lot to where he had parked the vehicle he
had driven to Dan’s graduation ceremony. Much to Dan’s surprise, he stopped
in front of a fully restored candy apple red ’69 Ford truck. “Whoa!” Dan exclaimed, his eyes wide with
shock. He walked around the pickup to admire it from all angles. “When’d you
get this?” “I bought it a few months ago,” Mr. Maypenny
told him. “Of course, it didn’t look quite so nice when I purchased it. I had
heard that Tom Delanoy was looking to earn a little extra money, so I hired
him to overhaul the whole thing.” Dan whistled appreciatively under his breath
as he inspected the professional-looking paint job, the new interior, and the
snazzy wheels. “Man, I didn’t even know you had your license.” He found Mr.
Maypenny’s silence unnerving, and turned towards the old man. A worried
expression on his face, he asked, “You do
have your driver’s license, right? I’d hate for you to be the first person I
have to pull over for breaking the law.” Mr. Maypenny grinned wickedly. “Anxious to
try out the new badge, are you?” He chuckled, but then said, “Yes, Daniel, I
have an honest-to-goodness driver’s license, issued by the state of “I’m glad you got a truck, Mr. Maypenny,”
Dan said. “Although I am wondering
where you got the money to buy this…” “What?” Mr. Maypenny inquired innocently.
“Just because I live in a small cabin in the woods I can’t have any money?” “You have money?” Dan exclaimed incredulously.
“How much?” “Daniel, don’t you know it’s rude to ask
such questions?” Mr. Maypenny scolded lightly. However, his twitching
whiskers made it obvious he wasn’t insulted. “Somewhere around two hundred
and fifty thousand, last time I checked. Of course, that was several years
ago---” “A quarter of a million dollars?” Dan repeated in disbelief. “Well, it certainly isn’t in yen,” Mr.
Maypenny quipped. Dan shook his head, still in shock. “Where’d
you get that kind of money?” “Remember that moonshine that I used to
make…” Mr. Maypenny hooted with laughter as he heard Dan’s disapproving gasp.
When his chuckling ceased, he continued. “I’m kidding, Daniel. Years ago, the
reasons for not selling my land to Matthew Wheeler weren’t completely
altruistic. There’s a natural gas well on my property, and there’s big money
in that, you know.” Dan’s mouth gaped as he tried to compute
this piece of information. “You’re rich?” “I wouldn’t say rich, per se…” “You
shoot your own meat, grow your own vegetables, had an outhouse until a few years
ago, pinched your pennies...” Dan interrupted, with
a slap to his forehead. “Geezie Pete, you wouldn’t
let me buy name brand toilet paper, for crying out loud, and here I find out
that you’re loaded!” “When you compare me to Matthew Wheeler and
Ed Lynch, I wouldn’t say loaded
exactly,” Mr. Maypenny amended. “I guess a better word would be comfortable.” “I sure wish I’d known that a long time
ago,” Dan commented with a snort. “I could’ve paid someone to chop wood for
me.” “And what would you’ve learned from that?”
Mr. Maypenny prompted. Dan grinned mischievously. “That money can
sure come in handy, especially when it’s time for chores.” “Which is exactly what I didn’t want to teach you,” Mr. Maypenny said sternly. “Aw c’mon, Mr. Maypenny,” Dan laughed. “I’m
just yanking your chain. It’s great that you’ve got money. Hey, can I call
you Mr. Manypennies now?” The old man cast him a disparaging look.
“Don’t push your luck, Daniel.” “I’m joking!” Dan insisted, covering his
face protectively with his hands. “Your new truck’s awesome. I know you’ll
love it.” “But Daniel, I didn’t buy that truck for
me.” Mr. Maypenny smiled benevolently. “I got it for you.” Dan’s eyes widened to twice their normal
size. He gulped away a huge lump that had risen in his throat, but still no
sound would come out of his mouth. “No way!” he finally choked out. “Yes way.” Mr. Maypenny dangled a set of
keys in front of Dan. “Here you go, son.” Astonished in the purest sense of the word,
Dan’s mouth was agape, and his eyes resembled two large pieces of coal. For
several moments, he was mute, too shocked to say a single word. When he could
finally speak, he stammered, “I can’t accept this.” “Why not?” “Because it’s too much,” Dan told him.
Although his tone was adamant, there was a catch in his throat. “I couldn’t possi---” Mr. Maypenny’s white bushy brows knotted
together at the bridge of his aquiline nose. “You don’t like it?” “No, it isn’t that!” Dan exclaimed. He ran a
hand along the truck’s shiny chrome bumper, a longing look in his eyes.
“She’s beautiful. My dad had one exactly like her when I was a kid.” “I know.” Dan’s gaze whirled upward and locked with
Mr. Maypenny’s. “You do?” The old man nodded. “I saw it in the
background of one of the pictures you showed me of your family. You mentioned
how you and your dad would go driving in it, and how that was one of your
favorite memories.” Mr. Maypenny cleared his throat, and then
continued, “That’s why I bought that particular truck. I probably should’ve
gotten a more modern one for you, but that old ’69 just seemed perfect. I had
Tom totally overhaul the whole thing, though. Completely new engine,
interior, tires… the works. Tom assures me she runs like a top.” “I’m sure she does.” Dan walked all around
the truck, never taking his eyes off the vehicle. “Don’t you like it?” Mr. Maypenny inquired.
Although his voice was normally gruff, currently it held a hint of
insecurity. “I love it,” Dan answered earnestly. “She’s
the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” “Then take it for a spin.” With a merry
sparkle in his eyes, Mr. Maypenny tossed the keys to Dan. Thankfully, the younger man possessed
catlike reflexes and agilely caught the key ring with one hand. Dan studied
the metal objects with a guilty grimace. “I’d love to, but… but… but I can’t.” “Why not?” Mr. Maypenny patted the fender of
the old Ford lovingly. “You know you want to.” “Well, yeah, but…” “I’ve never given you fancy gifts, son,” Mr.
Maypenny told him, his tone beseeching. “I’ve taught you to work hard for
what you have so you’ll appreciate it. But just for today, let me spoil you a
bit. You’ve worked hard to get where you are. Let me show you how proud I am
of you.” Dan
was clearly weakening. He opened his mouth, but suddenly clamped it shut.
After shaking his head slightly, he said, “I appreciate it more than you’ll
ever know, but I can’t accept this. I don’t need it. I have my motorcycle…” “A motorcycle,” Mr. Maypenny echoed with a
snort. “Pshaw, Daniel! You’re a respectable officer of the law now. It’s time
to drive something with doors.” “Lots of the other cops drive motorcycles to
work.” Averting his wistful gaze from the classic truck, Dan fastened his
eyes on Mr. Maypenny. “It’s just too much. I don’t deserve it.” “Let me
be the judge of that,” Mr. Maypenny told him firmly. With his gnarled hand,
he pointed to the set of keys in the younger man’s hands. “The gas tank’s
full, you’ve got no place else to be, and your name’s on the registration
papers…” “It’s too expensive,” Dan said with a shake
of his head. However, his voice had begun to waver, and it was clear that he
was straddling the fence. Mr. Maypenny scratched his whiskered chin.
“You may have a point there, son. But what about the truck? I certainly don’t want it, and I
can’t exactly take it back, can I? It’s worth considerably more now than when
I bought it.” “Would Tom want it?” Dan asked. Please don’t let him want it, please don’t
let him want it, he prayed silently. “Nah.” Mr. Maypenny’s thick brow furrowed
thoughtfully. “He can’t afford something like that, what with Celia expecting
another baby.” “Hmm…” Dan murmured, twitching his lower lip
as he mulled their options. “Wait!” Mr. Maypenny lifted a finger in
triumph. “I have an idea. Maybe we could work out some sort of deal, you
know, barter with one another.” “Barter?” Dan lifted a single brow with
interest. “What if I give you the truck on the
condition that you use it from time to time to drive back to Sleepyside?” Mr.
Maypenny suggested. “I think there are a few more trees in the preserve that
you haven’t chopped down yet.” “And it isn’t like there’s a bunch of
suicidal trees out there, looking to sacrifice themselves to our stove gods,”
Dan said with a wink, repeating the words Mr. Maypenny had told him when he
first came to Sleepyside. “Smart aleck,” Mr. Maypenny cracked
dryly. “So, do we have a deal? I give you the truck and you come chop wood
occasionally?” Dan’s eyes traveled over to the
sharp-looking red pickup, and then back over to the old man. “It’s a deal.”
With a gleeful smile, he placed his hand on the driver’s side door. Almost
reverently, he opened it and sat inside. He started the engine as Mr.
Maypenny climbed in through the passenger’s door. The V-8 purred like a
contented kitten. A very large, lion-esque kitten,
but a kitten nonetheless. Before he shifted the truck out of park, he glanced
over at his passenger. “Thank you just doesn’t seem like
enough to say,” he murmured, a bit of unfamiliar moisture gathering in the
corners of his eyes. “What do you tell someone who’s clothed you, fed you, put a roof over your head… And now the truck…” “It’s nothing, Daniel.” Although Mr.
Maypenny was not prone to show affection in the conventional sense, he
reached over and patted Dan’s hand. “Any father would do the same for his
son. And although you aren’t my own flesh and blood child, you’re as close as
I’ve got.” “Same here, old man.” Dan’s tone was
teasing, but it was clear it meant his words affectionately. “You know, even though I never planned
to marry, I always wanted a son. After Mrs. Vanderpoel’s
husband died, I spent a lot of time with her two boys, you know. William and
Marcus would come out here and spend a few hours a day with me during the
summer. Since their daddy had died, they needed a man to be a father figure
to them, hunting, fishing, and the like. Although I never had any desire to
marry, I always wished I had a son of my own to do those things with,
especially after William and Marcus grew up and moved away.” Mr. Maypenny cleared his throat nervously.
“I know you arrived on my doorstep through some unhappy circumstances,
Daniel, but I’m sure glad the good Lord saw fit to bless me with a son of my
own.” “Me too,” Dan murmured, looking over at his
passenger fondly. When he first came to Sleepyside, he had thought his
guardian was an ax murderer. In reality, the old man was a father, slave
driver, nursemaid, drill sergeant, psychiatrist, minister, and teacher all
rolled into one. However, to Dan, he would always be Mr.
Maypenny, the person who taught him to be a man.
Thanks to my fabulous faithful
editors, Steph H. and Kathy W. And thank you also
to my newest editors, Mal and Ronda, who have volunteered to be my resident
Dan experts. You both have already proven your value! The Cameo thanks you
for your assistance! Tim Cramer and Bruce Finley were
created characters who were mentioned in the Past
installment of this story. I reserve the right to use them again earlier in
this universe before their deaths. Thank you to all those who answered
my questions about the Little Debbie is owned by McKee
Foods, and I should be reimbursed for all the Fudge Rounds and Oatmeal Cakes
I’ve purchased through the years. Mr. Maypenny is based a lot on my
grandfather, who carries around a wad of $100 bills but dresses like a
pauper, uses generic products, drives an old, beat-up Ford pickup, and hates
big crowds. “The current float in Jim’s ABC
parade of Trixie-substitutes” is a reference to The Cameo’s Glimpses into the Future Universe
story, “Why
Do Fools Fall in Love?” and is trademarked by Dark Orchid
Productions. More on the Mangans’ and Regans’ family history later… “For he is the minister of God to
thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of
God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that
doeth evil.” Romans 13:4, KJV This is
the verse we use to teach our children that police officers are there to help
them, and that as long as they obey the law, they have no reason to fear law
enforcement officials, and should give them respect. The “ancient Jeep Mr. Maypenny used
to beat around the woods in” is referred to in “What
Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?”, which can be found in my Here and Now Universe. I always hated it that Dan never had
an inheritance, so I decided to “fix” that. *G* Stay tuned for the Future
installment, coming soon to a screen near you! Home | Other Stories | Jixemitri
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