Unfounded Fears
Part 18
Within an hour, Paul had returned Peter to his apartment and helped his foster son pack for the trip. "Take something warm. I think the weather is going to be pretty cool up there," he warned the younger man.
Peter was digging through his dresser drawers, pulling out jeans and sweats. He stuffed them into the large duffel bag next to the sweatshirt and Henley shirts he had already packed. Grabbing underwear, socks and hiking boots, along with a few toiletry articles, he had completed the job in record time.
Leaning down, he started to pick up the bag from the bed, "Peter, No!" Paul warned. The injured man froze in mid-motion. "No lifting. That can't be good on either your shoulder or ribs. Let me carry it."
"I've got it. . .really," Peter protested. Paul moved by him and grabbed the bag. "I'm not an invalid."
"I didn't say you were. But you are under doctor's orders to take it easy. If you can't obey them, then I'll deposit you right back in that hospital room until you can figure out what 'easy' means."
Peter quieted his protests, allowing the older man to take the bag. "Grab your coat and we can go by the house and get my things. Then we'll pick up Lo Si and go get your father. Do you think he'll be ready?" Paul asked.
Peter shrugged slightly, not wanting to bring pain to the shoulder. "This is Pop we're talking about. I know he reads my mind." The statement was made with a frown. "He probably already knows we're on our way."
Paul outwardly smiled at the remark, but inwardly cringed. Once again, the special connection between father and son, something he would never have with Peter, was pointed out to him. "Well, then let's hit the road." He held the door open for the younger man and closed it behind them. Peter locked it, checking to make sure it was securely latched and then the two left the building.
***********************************
"You're sure you're feeling better?" Annie Blaisdell's hands rested on her son's cheeks, cupping his face. "You feel warm to me."
He bent down to the petite woman and gave her a kiss on the forehead, "I'm fine. I've just been running around all morning."
"Paul. . .?" Annie began to scold her husband for allowing Peter to be so active, but Paul cut her off.
"He's fine, Hon. Trust me." Paul yelled down from the second floor.
"You sound tired," Annie said with worry in her voice.
"Nothing that a few days at the cabin can't cure," Peter responded.
"You'll take it easy, right?"
"He's under orders to do just that," Paul commented as he came down the stairs carrying a sports bag over his shoulder. "I've already told him if he misbehaves he is going to be marched right back into the hospital."
Annie grinned at her husband's words, "That'll keep him in line."
"It sure will," Peter grumbled. Annie laughed at the sound of defeat in the younger man's voice.
"I've packed groceries for you. Kelly already loaded them in the Blazer. You should be set. Fishing poles are in the back as well."
Paul leaned down to his wife and gave her a long kiss, "Thanks." He then pulled her closer and whispered in her ear, "Thanks for everything. God, I love you."
Annie smiled at the man's words and pulled him into a tight embrace. "Love you more than you'll ever know," she whispered in return. As he pulled away, she said out loud, "Take care of the boys, Captain."
Paul grinned and winked, "Will do."
*********************************
The climb up the small set of stairs to Lo Si's apartment taxed Peter's system more than he cared to admit. Paul had suggested Peter stay in the car, but Peter refused. Lo Si was his father's friend. . .and Peter's. It was Peter's duty to help the man. Paul nodded and accompanied the younger man to the room.
Breathing heavily and nursing his sore ribs, Peter felt Paul's hesitant hand make contact with his right arm, helping him steady himself as they approached Lo Si's quarters. As often was the case, the door was standing open. The two men entered the room. "Lo Si?" Peter called out, but was met with silence.
"Where is he?" Paul asked as the two men made their way through the living room and into the small bedroom. A small backpack was on the bed, but there was no sign of the old man.
"Don't know?" Peter responded. "He knew we would be by to pick him up." The two men turned to reenter the living room.
"I am here," Lo Si finally answered from his position behind the two men, startling them both.
Peter and Paul spun around in surprise. "How did you. . .?" Peter started to ask, then stopped. "Never mind. You've got to stop doing that, Lo Si." It then dawned on the young detective that Lo Si looked strikingly different. "Where did you get that?" Peter asked in amazement as his eyes took inventory of the man's attire. The Ancient had abandoned his customary tunic and pants for a fishing vest, hat and green hiking pants. Thick hiking boots covered his feet.
Lo Si straightened his body to his full 5'4" height. "Do you like it?"
Paul reached over and pushed Peter's jaw back up, closing his mouth. Peter nodded his head slowly, "Uh. . .yeah."
"It was a gift from a lady friend," Lo Si tugged on the vest. "Fits like a glove."
Paul couldn't help shaking his head at the elderly man's antics. Peter was too stunned to respond.
The Ancient turned and grabbed the backpack from the bed. "I am ready."
"That's all you're taking?" Peter asked, somewhat incredulous.
"I am an old man. . .it is all I need."
Paul nodded his head. "Let's go get your father and then we'll hit the road."
"I am here," Caine answered from the doorway.
"But how did you. . ." Peter started to question. Then in another look of defeat he turned away, "Double never mind." Peter let it drop. He was satisfied muttering prayers of thanks that his father had chosen to wear his usual brown pants, shirt, jacket and tan boots.
Paul looked at the area around Caine. Seeing no bags in the man's hands he frowned, "Are you packed."
"I have all that I need," the Shaolin priest said as he readjusted his brown satchel and bedroll strung over his shoulder.
Peter shook his head in disbelief, "How can you carry everything in that?"
"You forget. . .I have learned to pack light after many years of wandering. A suitcase would have. . . slowed me down." Caine grinned in a rare moment of light-heartedness.
Peter chuckled at the mental image of his father walking down a gravel road pulling Samsonite luggage on a roller behind him. "Yeah, I suppose you're right.
"Well men," Paul Blaisdell said from across the room, "Let's hit the road. We have some vacationing to do."
Paul exited the room, Caine followed. Peter waited for Lo Si to head for the door before following him out. As Lo Si passed the detective, he whispered to the younger man, "I am looking forward to this trip." The elderly man shut the apartment door, but did not lock it. He proceeded to the foyer in the front of the building. "I love to fish," the man continued, as Peter followed him back down the stairs. The Ancient gave the young detective a Cheshire grin. "I have always wanted to. . .land the big one."
Peter chuckled at the Ancient's use of the slang phrase. Once again, he was thoroughly convinced that he would never understand the man.
*************************************
The trip to the cabin was noisy, but otherwise uneventful. It consisted of Peter's non-stop talking and not much else. Paul smiled as the young man started yet another line of conversation.
Having both Paul and Caine in the same place at the same time for an extended period was a first for the young man. His anticipation at the upcoming days was obvious. Blaisdell knew his foster son was as nervous about the trip as he was excited and when Peter was nervous, he talked. By the level of chatter coming from the passenger side of the Blazer, Peter's level of anxiety was off the chart.
"Looks like there's a storm building in the north. I hope it's not heading our way," Peter commented.
"It is not," Caine predicted from the back seat.
"How do you know?" Peter asked suspiciously.
"Your father knows," Lo Si smiled.
Peter turned gingerly and smiled at his father, "It's like having a Shaolin weather man in the car."
Caine shrugged and Lo Si nodded. Peter turned back to face the front. "Remember when we were caught out on the lake during the storm?"
Paul nodded, "Waves almost tipped the boat."
"Mom was so mad at you for not telling her about how bad the sky looked when we went out that day."
"If I remember right, you were so heartbroken at the fact that your first trip to the lake for skiing was going to be cancelled by the weather that you convinced me to keep the impending storm a secret." Paul laughed at the memory, "Stupidest thing I ever did. Annie didn't forgive me for weeks after."
Peter gave Paul a mischievous grin, "Weeks? Wow. . .those must have been some long, lonely nights."
Paul gave the younger man a mock look of indignation. "It was her loss."
Peter burst out in laughter which immediately turned to a grimace as he grabbed his side, "Don't make me do that."
Paul couldn't help the snicker that came out. "Serves you right treating your old man like that."
"When did this happen Peter?" Caine asked gently from the back seat. Paul shifted positions uncomfortably, having forgotten about Kwai Chang Caine's presence in the back when he had made the reference to 'old man.' He immediately regretted having said the words.
Peter saw the laughter and lightheartedness leave his foster father's face to be replaced with a somber look. He felt a mixture of guilt and sadness tighten his chest. His voice returned to a level of seriousness, "It was right after I moved in with the Blaisdells."
"And how did you like water skiing?" Caine asked.
Peter shrugged, then bit his lip against the twinge of pain, both physical and emotional, "It was fun."
"And how did you do?" Caine followed up with a father's curiosity.
Peter opened his mouth to answer the question, but Lo Si's voice interrupted him, "He did fine."
Peter turned towards the old man, ignoring the pain the motion caused, frowning at the Ancient's words, "What did you say?"
Lo Si shrugged, a smile on his face, "You are a good athlete. . .I know you did fine. In fact you were probably a. . .hot dog."
Kwai Chang Caine turned to the elderly master sitting next to him, a look of confusion in his eyes. Lo Si made eye contact, smiled and shrugged his shoulders, "He is always a. . .hot dog."
End Part 18
To Part 19