Love Of My Life

It's A Beautiful Day- Sept. 8, 2015

Photo of 'Pancake'

Recommended song - It's a beautiful day by Queen

September 8, 2015

Benjamin POV

Benjamin rocked on his toes and his heels, lifting his legs into crunches and he could immediately feel how out of shape he had become. He wasn't fat, but he certainly lost the flexibility and tone he had months before.

He had zero motivation for doing anything physical that summer. He was so glad that he had the summer off because the idea of facing people while grieving was almost too much. He hung out at home with Doris and visited his mom, read a great deal and although didn't see his friends as often as he should have, he made the effort to remain in contact.

Benjamin realized that it was Mike that had always made the effort to get him out and socializing with friends. With Mike it was fun, Benjamin thought, his eyes looking downward. Everything was fun with Mike.

Another reason that he hadn't done any of his regular sports was everything reminded him of Mike. They had done all of these things since their early teens and to go mountain biking without Mike, or hiking, or kayaking (which he doubted he would do again), all of these things reminded him of Mike and be couldn't handle it.

He could run though. So he woke up that morning and began his regular routine before school. Run, shower, get dressed and have breakfast with Doris.

This was the first day of school and he was determined to make it through the day without any breakdowns. Grieving Mike hadn't lessened, it was just more manageable.

He set out for his run, smiling when he saw Fergie running his little legs to his backyard before he was noticed gone. The sun was out and it really was a perfect fall morning in Vancouver. For the first time in months he felt good. He quickened his pace and made it back home at a decent time, for the first run in months.

"Goodmorning Doris" he greeted the elderly woman sitting at the dining room table with her toast and coffee.

"Goodmorning Benjamin". She smiled at him. "How was your run dear?" She asked.

"Really good actually. It felt great to run again". He smiled back at her, the first genuine one in months. Doris noted the difference and was relieved. She had been worried about him since he had lost his best friend.

Doris knew grief all too well. When her husband died from a heart attack 15 years ago she thought she would never smile again. That year was a blur. She rarely left her house, lost an alarming amount of weight and her family were so worried for her that her son insisted she stay with his family. Eventually she did recover, there was no earth shattering moment that snapped her out of it. It was a gradual process that took a year until she felt like herself again. She was grateful to her family for being supportive and patient and that is how she treated Benjamin. She was as fond of him as her own grandsons and was happy to see a glimmer of the old Benjamin.

"It's a beautiful day Benjamin." She said warmly.

"That it is", he said back, putting his hand on hers.

****************************************

September 8, 2015

Tyler POV

"Rise and shine buddy", Tyler said gently nudging Shane awake.

His eyes opened and he smiled at him.

"Goodmorning Ty. Are you excited about the first day of school? I am!" Shane said excitedly.

Tyler just laughed. "Well nervous. Does that count as excited?"

Shane just shrugged.

"Come on, let's get ready for school. I think Peter is dropping us off today". Tyler got up and headed for the door. "You should take Pancake outside first". Tyler nodded at the German Shepard lying on his bed.

"Ok. I will do that now" Shane said jumping out of bed. Tyler was happy about the progress that Shane had made in the last two months. Ever since his parents beat him so bad he had to be hospitalized.

The first three weeks were traumatic for everyone. The younger boys, Jeff and Kevin didn't understand, Simon was sad and wanted to help but didn't know how and Debbie, Tyler and Peter were just angry at the system that would have allowed it to happen.

Shane was a devastated little boy. He cried a lot, had nightmares, wasn't disobedient but wasn't agreeable either. Tyler thought a therapy dog would help. He talked to Debbie and Peter and they picked up the specially trained dog a month ago. The results were immediate. Shane adored his dog, well everyone did.

Jeff and Kevin understood that he was Shane's dog and he had a job which was to help Shane. They gave the dog lots of attention but knew that he was Shane's dog and his responsibility to feed him, take him outside, take him for walks. Shane did allow Jeff to name him though, thus the name 'Pancake', named after Jeff's favorite food.

Pancake and Shane were inseparable and Shane had perked back to his usual happy 8 year old self. He never distanced himself from his foster family and they all proved themselves loyal and loving which made a huge impact on the little boy. The day he returned home from the hospital he began calling Debbie and Peter "mom" and "dad". They never discouraged it.

Tyler knew how fortunate he was. To experience firsthand a normal, functioning, loving family had changed his life. He had felt a lot of changes were coming in his future and for once he welcomed them. He wasn't the shy, insecure boy anymore. He yearned to be  confident, friendly and accepted.

It was a hot July afternoon and they had returned home from the pool when Tyler approached Debbie in the kitchen.

"Debbie?" He asked biting his lip, hoping she will understand and say yes.

"What is it hun?" She stopped what she was doing and gave him her full attention, like she always does.

"Can I change schools?" He asked nervously.

"Why?"

"I have thought a lot about it  and I want a change. I don't want to hang out with those kids anymore, they are just trouble and even if I don't do anything, it's just as bad because people think that I am like them and I'm not. I want good friends. I want to do good enough in school to get into college or university. I want to join clubs. I want..." He thought of the word that summed it up "I want more".

She walked over to him and wrapped him up in a warm hug. "You are so grown up. Those are excellent reasons. I will make the calls. I don't think it will be a problem at all. Point Grey is pretty close and the school has really good clubs. I know a few teachers there and they are really nice."

"Thanks Debbie" he said relieved.

The rest of the summer he could feel himself relax and change. He was more open with Debbie and Peter and made more time for his foster brothers.  He was excited for his future, looked forward to making friends at his new school and by the time September rolled around he was not the sullen, timid teenage boy but the happy young man who had decided on his future goals.

Tyler got ready, grabbed his jacket and backpack and headed downstairs for breakfast. He greeted everyone and had some toast while he waited for Peter to finish his coffee.

"Who is excited about the first day of school?" Peter asked taking his last sip. Everyone's hands shot up, even Simon's who gave a good natured eye roll which made Peter laugh.

"It's a beautiful day" Debbie said handing out the younger boys their lunch bags and the older boys money for the cafeteria.

"It sure is". Tyler said happily.