The Friend I Needed

Seven.

Seven.

“Thank you.” Henry mumbled at the nurse tending a wound on his head, he had tripped on his way out towards the garden a few minutes ago right before his companion arrived.

His nurse lifted her head up looking at him surprised as he was never one to be polite to anyone.

“For what, Mr. Cloutier?”

“Tending my wounds.” Even when his words were indeed nice, his face kept the sour look.

“Oh… well, you’re welcome.” She smiled at him cleaning his face, “your companion will arrive shortly.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” A soft amused voice called from the door catching the attention of both. “I’m already here.”

Oddie smiled walking in happily but stopped when she saw his head, her face went pale with worry. She rushed to his side taking a closer look, he had quite the amount of wounds on his wrinkled skin.

“Dear Lord, what have you done to yourself?”

“I fell.”

He simply answered not meeting her eye, he might not admit it out loud, but he was happy that someone worried so much for his wellbeing as it had been a while since someone did.

“May I?” Oddie asked the nurse who just nodded, leaving a bowl with warm water and a new clean cloth in the bedside table, taking with her the dirty ones.

“You don’t have to do that,” he mumbled looking staring out the window avoiding her simple glare, she smiled taking the cloth in her hands drowning it with water to keep cleaning  the cuts and bruises over his forehead.

“At least you won’t need stitches, that’d been bad.”

“Why are you ignoring my words?”

“I’m not ignoring you.”

“Odette,” he grabbed her wrist stopping her, her face flushed gazing down. “What’s troubling you?”

“I thought you didn’t want to get attached to me,” she smirked at him with warm eyes.

“I don’t.”

“Why do you want to know then?”

“Because today your smile does not reach your eyes,” she gulped softly trying to find the right words to get back at him. “And that’s not normal, during the few weeks you’ve been coming there has been no day that you don’t smile at me.”

“Maybe I want to try something new with you.”

“You’re not a good liar, are you?”

“I was never thought to lie; I guess is in my nature to be honest,” She put a little piece of white tape to close his wound. “Almost done.”

“Almost? You already covered the wound, what else are you…?” He stopped astonished at what she had done next, Oddie had lifted herself a little bit to kiss his forehead before sitting back on the edge of bed.

“There, you’re good now.” She smiled again and took his old big hand in hers. “I’m sorry, I always do that whenever Gabriel get hurts; he says that if I don’t kiss it good it’ll never heal properly.”

“Smart kid,” he smirked at her. “He didn’t come today?”

“He did, but he needed to run to the bathroom.” There was a knock on the door and Gabriel’s little head popped in, “and now they’re back.” Henry gave her an odd look not understanding why she was talking in plural.

“Hi, General Cloutier.” He walked closer to the bed and shake hands with him, having his other hand on his back. “Are you alright?” He asked referring to the white bow on his forehead and the big bruise beside it.

“Yeah, your mother here helped me get it cleaned.” The little one smiled at that.

“Where’s Elliot?” Oddie asked searching for the smaller boy.

“Oh, he’s here.” Gabriel stepped to the side revealing the mentioned one who had his hand on Gabe’s, he was hiding behind his back. “He got shy as he didn’t know who we were meeting. Look Elliot, this is General Henry Cloutier and Oddie is his companion.”

“Hi, Mr. General.”

“I thought you only had one child,” Henry exclaimed nodding his head at the light blue eyed boy.

“He’s not mine, he’s Gabe’s best friend.” She smiled at them all.

“Well, nice meeting you Elliot… I guess.”

“Likewise, Mr. General.”

“Ready to go?” Oddie’s smile got wider at Henry’s frown.

“You just arrived, why are you leaving so soon?”

“Who said I’m leaving alone? Get your shoes and coat, we’re going out.” She stood up grabbing her purse and jacket. “Kids, help him out and meet me at the front desk, I need to sign the permit to get him out of here for the day.”

“Yes, ma’am.” They both said as she left the room, they gave Henry a look that he gave back.

“It appears my opinion was not needed,” he mumbled while shifting his position on bed to drop his feet on the floor, grabbing his shoes and putting them on all the while Gabriel was looking at his pictures in the hairdresser in the room. “That’s my youngest boy and his kids.”

He answered a silent question, Elliot got close to him as he was struggling to tie his shoe, little young hands meet his big ones tying a knot and the look on the kids face was such a proud one, he was happy for being able to help him.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” he tried to sit on the chair, but he couldn’t reach so Gabriel got behind him lifting him up, so he could sit.

“Why they never visit you?” Gabriel’s question was out of pure innocence, but he was not aware of the big effect it had to the old veteran.

“They don’t want to,” he simply said getting up and grabbing his coat and hat.

“That’s mean,” the older boy frowns at the pictures. “If our visits weren’t scheduled, I’d ask Oddie to bring me here with you every day.”

“I’d visit you too, if I could of course.” Elliot’s little voice spoke agreeing with his friend. Henry felt his heart tremble with happiness and sadness both hitting him at the same time.

How could it be that some kids who don’t have his blood running through their veins wanted to spend time with him to make him happy and his own family had forgotten him in a retirement home?

He looked at them both who were frowning, but when they meet his eyes their smiles were as big as the window in his room, he couldn’t help but smile back at them.

“Come on, boys.” He extended his hands to them, Gabriel got to his side first, but Elliot had problems getting off the chair, so Henry walked up to him lifting his body placing the boy on the floor. “A gentleman shall never leave a lady waiting.”

“You’re such an old man,” they joked with him, his rough chuckle making the kids giggle.

“Yes, that I am.”

Oddie was just finishing signing up the permit and another document, letting the nursery home know that she was responsible of his well being and needs like food and what not.

The receptionist talked to her saying wonderful things about Henry and how he was changing his mean ways towards everyone, how he was being politer and gentle when asking for anything and how much he was trying to keep a kinda normal conversation with other elders.

“I’m glad his improving his attitude,” Oddie smiled singing the last agreement stated in the paper she had in her hand. “He’s a wonderful man.”

“Everything thanks to his companion,” the old lady got Oddie’s attention and frown. “He might never admit it but he got even more depressed when the other companions left after a few days, the only thing he wanted was someone to stay and fight to get his affection and well, no one never really wanted to stay long enough to learn to enjoy his company.”

Oddie understood his ways a little more, he wanted attention and affection from someone as his family had practically abandoned him, he was in desperate need of love and patience that no one was willing to give.

“Don’t tell him I said that, he’ll deny it and most likely get rude for telling such personal stuff about him.” The nurse chuckled covering her mouth softly.

“I won’t say a thing,” she smiled giving the signed paper works to her. “Thank you for letting me take him out for the day, I’ve been wanting to do it since a week ago but my schedule got tight at work.”

“Take him out whenever you can and want, he’ll appreciate it a lot.” She turned and felt her soul left her body in happiness, Henry walking over with the happiest children holding onto his hands so he wouldn’t trip again. “I was right after all.”

Oddie looked up from the front desk staring at the gorgeous sight before her, she was quite aware of how comfortable Henry was feeling around Gabriel as the young kid was giving him the love and affection any grandchild would give, and he loved it.

“You boys ready?” She asked the trio with a wide smile resting on her face.

“Yes, we are.” Gabriel answered happily, holding tightly Henry’s old hand.

“Let’s go then, we have to get him back before 9:30pm, so we better make the best of it.”

They walked out of the building all the way to the parking lot where a big dark blue GMC truck waited for them, having the owner of it rest his back on the passenger’s door crossing his thick tattooed arms over his wide chest.

“Didn’t you say you weren’t married?” Henry gave a stern look to Oddie, who only smiled resting her hands on her jeans’ pockets.

“He’s not my husband.”

“Then who is he?”

“Ask him yourself if you’re so curious, General.” She winked his way annoying the hell out of the man.

Henry was about to snap at her odds but the kids’ warm hands brought his anger down pulling him all the way to the truck with happy faces and hearts filled with excitement.

“Hey, boys.”

Bent over a little bit when both kids ran into his open arms giving him a huge hug he gladly accepted, lifting both high and tight to is chest. Their laughter filled Henry’s ears and the joy was too overwhelming, it almost felt as if he was about to spend some time with his son and his family, he missed what it felt like to have a family of his own.

“Who did you brought with you?” The young man let the kids down smirking at Oddie who stood beside him, both staring at the kids as they pulled the old man closer and talking a thousand miles per hour. “Boys, you’ll drive the man crazy before we can actually do something worth driving him crazy for.”

“Sorry, Bear man. I’m just so happy we’re getting him to spend the day with us.” Gabriel blushed hiding on Henry’s side, a small playful grin still on his lips. “General, this is Bear man. He’s an awesomely strong and good firefighter! He’s a captain and he also knows how to bake delicious desserts.”

“He can make the best hot cocoa with marshmallows and whipped cream ever! Mr. Bear also gives the best hugs and he cares about us.” Elliot’s eyes shined as well as Gabriel’s, both looking as if they had been right next to the most powerful superhero.

Said man blushed so much he had to turn away hiding half his face with one hand, having his other one resting over his heart trying to stop it from beating out of his chest.

“What are you? A superhero firefighter?” Henry rolled his eyes at Nathan who was trying to bring his heart back to normal.

“I’m about to have a heart attack…” He mumbled to Oddie who tried to ease the situation but the kids couldn’t stop talking about him.

“I never thought of it like that! Elliot, Bear man is a superhero who protects kids like us from evil fires and earthquakes!” Gabriel shouted holding the smaller one’s shoulders his eyes going wide with realization.

“Oh, you’re right! And he bakes and makes hot cocoa for the good kids he saves!” He agreed holding Gabe’s forearms, he then looked at Oddie feeling his face go brighter with happiness. “And Ms. Oddie is the lady who gives him a kiss every time he saves the day!”

“Mr. Bear man is the best superhero!” They both shouted together running around excited, jumping around like hyperactive bunnies.

Nathan squatted now resting both hands over his reddened face, Henry could almost see steam blowing away from his frame while Oddie hid her face on her fluffy sweater. They were so embarrassed henry couldn’t help but mock them, for their terrible luck.

“That makes me the grumpy man who needs the help of the superhero so I can get on the truck and survive this already peculiar day.” Nathan gave him a distressed look standing up opening the back door for him to go with the kids. “Come on, children. The superhero was kind enough to open the door for us, go and thank him for fulfilling his hero duties and keeping us safe.”

“Yeah! Thank you, Bear man!”

“Mr. Bear is the best superhero of all!” Elliot joined the party jumping in the truck with Nathan’s help, then Gabriel and Henry got in right behind him.

“Even though my dad is also a superhero, but he’s fighting the bad guys somewhere else.” Gabriel continued talking to Elliot, whose eyes went wide with wonder.

“Woah, I wanna meet him too! Mr. Soldier must be a great hero! He might be the one who sent Mr. Bear to protect us and Ms. Oddie while he’s gone.”

“Good thinking, Elliot! That makes a lot of sense!”

“I’m so gonna have a good day.” Henry smirked evilly at the young man who closed the door pouting with a heavy blush still covering his face.

“Nate? Are you ok?” Oddie rested her soft hand on his rough one with worry written all over her face.

“I just had multiple heart attacks, one after another nonstop.” He sighed looking down to her with a grin. “I can only tolerate so much sweetness from someone before fainting.”

“Are you telling me that you’re weak to sweet and adorable things, people and situations?” He nodded sheepishly, making her laugh hard holding her tummy to catch her breath completely ignoring his deep frown. “Oh boy, this can’t be real, you’re too much. The sweetest thing I’ve heard.”

“Let’s just go before I actually die, alright?” He opened the passenger door for her to jump in, she smirked mockingly before getting in.

“Just remember, this is just the start of this trip.” He frowned at her growling, not as if that actually scared her. “Think you can handle two boys, one grumpy old man and a teasingly sweet woman?”

“Quiet.” He closed the door with a heavy sigh, he was happy that she invited him to spend the day over, but he never really thought of how much this would affect him.

…

“Tell me again,” Henry started looking at some over expensive ugly stuffed animals in the aisle before him. “What exactly are we doing here?”

“We’re doing some last minute shopping for Gabe’s birthday, it’s this Friday but we’ll have the party on Saturday, so we took today to buy the last things we need,” Oddie answered pulling him away from that aisle and getting back to the right one. “Nathan’s off with the kids to grab some more lighting and decorations for the backyard, so you and I will get the last ingredients for the food.”

She allowed him to push the car so he could have some more support while she kept grabbing seasonings and whatnot, not even bothering himself to argue with her he just followed her frame.

“You’re going right?” She turned to look at him with a serious sad look, confusing the man. “Gabriel’s so happy that you got invited, he hasn’t stop talking about how a General will be there to celebrate his special day.”

“I can’t exactly drive, sweetheart.” He rolled his eyes annoyed, grabbing some snacks and putting them in the cart earning a smile from Oddie. “You already got everything settled right? You got your friends and family helping with everything.”

“Yeah, we already got everything, well almost everything.” The turned into another aisle, looking for some more stuff. “By the way, I’m gonna blush if you act this way again. I’m weak to man sweet talking me.”

“The hell you’re talking about, woman?” He frowned when she winked his way, realizing he called her a sweet name before and pretty much just agreed on attending the party and worrying about her having everything ready.

“Don’t even try to deny it now, I think it’s a little for that.” She chuckled resting her hand around his left arm as they walked together, he wouldn’t accept it yet, but he was slowly liking the idea of having her around.

After a few more minutes of shopping for whatever she needed, they meet up with the boys at the entrance of the market, Oddie’s cart full of food and Nathan’s with more party stuff.

“I think we already have everything, either way I’ll check everything out with Liam and Roy when we get back.” He said walking beside her pushing the cart beside her, heading towards the truck.

The kids instantly holding hands with Henry talking of whatever walking right in front of both of them. Oddie sighed with a smile feeling the autumn breeze touch her face and make her hair fly out a little from her side braid.

“I think I got everything for the food Maya and I are making, I also got some cookie dough in case of need.”

“I haven’t asked yet, what are you ladies cooking for a bunch of kids and a couple or more of adults?” He looked her way almost reaching the vehicle.

“Gabriel just had to ask for an eccentric meal, but well, I did tell him to pick whatever as if it’s his day after all.” They got to the truck letting the kids and old man get in as they were putting everything away in the back. “He wants me to cook some lasagna, homemade French bread, sorted berries salad and mashed potatoes.”

“Really?” He gave her an odd look finishing to put everything in before closing the trunk and heading to the passenger’s door to open it once more for her. “I could have expected hotdogs, hamburgers, corndogs, I don’t know. Pizza? Maybe even spaghetti but, lasagna? Such a specific salad? He really does have eccentric taste.”

“You have no idea.” She mumbled getting in the truck, soon after Nathan got in as well and started driving once more.

“So, boys and lady.” He winked at Oddie playfully. “I’m starting to get hungry after all that shopping madness, any idea of what we should eat?” He looked at them through the rearview waiting for any suggestion.

“I don’t know, what do you want?” Gabriel asked Elliot who frowned worriedly, tightening the hold on his hand.

“Is… is it ok if I suggest?” Everyone had a confused look at his question, so Oddie turned around to ask him about it.

“Why wouldn’t it be? You’re eating too, so I don’t see why you couldn’t give your opinion.”

“Daddy gets mad when I suggest anything, and mommy agrees with him on it, so I let them pick whatever they want even when I don’t like it.”

She could feel her eye twitch one more, Nathan’s hold on the steering wheel was so tight it was a surprise he didn’t manage to break it and Henry couldn’t even think straight. What kind of parent could be so mean and cruel to such a sweet loving child, like Elliot?

“Alright, that’s it.” Nathan stopped the truck and parked, took off his seatbelt and fully turned around to look at Elliot straight in the eye. “Come here.”

“A-are you mad at me, Mr. Bear?” He shyly asked still doing what he was told, taking off his seatbelt and getting closer to the firefighter.

“No, Elliot. I’m not mad, more like concerned.” The kid tilted his head to the side not really understanding what he meant. “I want you to understand something very important, ok?”

“Yeah.” He nodded slowly.

“Right now, you’re with us, not with your parents. Whenever you’re with Oddie or with me or anywhere near anyone of us, you can pretty much talk and say whatever comes to your mind and we’ll gladly listen to you.” Elliot could feel tears feeing his eyes, he wasn’t used to be heard, but this was a nice change. “So if you want something, please let us know and don’t keep it to yourself. You’re safe with us and there’s nothing you could ask that could bother any of us.”

“Then… can we get a chicken sandwich?” Nathan smiled ruffling the boy’s hair with a wide smile.

“Whatever you want, little one.”

They both got back to their seats and Nathan started the truck once more, heading to the closest fast food restaurant he could find where they sell what the boy wanted. When he found it, the five of them got inside the place and ordered their food, Henry touched Oddie’s arm gaining her attention with a small frown on his face.

“Come on, Henry. I thought you were having fun, why the long face?” She asked worriedly but he shook his head.

“Girl, I didn’t bring any money with me.” She lifted an eyebrow trying to understand why that was something important. “I can’t pay for any of this meals.”

“I’m sorry but, who said you’re paying?”

“What?”

“Henry, I’m responsible of you right now. That mean I get to pay for whatever you want or need, so what do you want to eat? I think I’ll go for meal number 6, looks quite good if you ask me.”

“But I…”

“Yeah, yeah. You can complain all you want when the day’s over, now please tell me what do you want.” She side smiled at him, sighing with defeat he told her what he wanted.

Nathan had offered to pay for them all but Oddie turned down his offer in an instant, before any of them could fight over the bill, Oddie offered to pay for herself and Henry, while Nathan could take care of the kids and himself.

When they found a table at the playground area, the kids politely asked if they could go play to wish they were told yes. Leaving their shoes beside the table, they both ran over the games forgetting about anything else. Nathan and Oddie sat across each other, the girl having Henry seated next to her with a slight blush covering his wrinkly cheeks.

“Stop the pouting, Henry. I will not accept any money after this and that’s it.”

“I have enough to pay for myself, but I had no idea we were going to do all of this so I didn’t bother myself with bringing my wallet or card.” He frowned resting his arms over the table, Nathan chuckled at his behavior.

“Relax, General. It’s ok to let others treat you once in a while.” He smiled at the older man before looking back at the playground to check on the boys. “When was the last time you got to eat together with cool people like us?”

“More than 15 years, that’s for sure.” Both looked at Henry surprised, but shrugged it off with wide smiles.

“Well, you can now forget about all that loneliness, old man.” Nathan said winking his way. “You won’t ever be alone again after this.”

“Is that a threat?”

“It’s a fact.”

Oddie laughed at both man, if she didn’t know them she would say they were father and son, it was impressive how similar they looked. The teasing side smile, the deep blue eyes and that strong glance that made her smile, and of course that rough laughter they both shared.

“Hey, Bear man! Look!” At Gabriel’s shout the three adults looked up at the games, finding both kids at the very top with wide grins over their faces. “Look! We got to the top in record time!”

“You guys are amazing!” He answered back, wearing a proud grin. “Now get down the same way, food will be here soon.”

“Alright!” They did as he was told and just then, a waitress brought their food with a shy smile.

“Here you go, Miss.”

“Thank you.” Oddie smiled at her, she went over to the other side of the table to give Henry his food and smiled brightly at him.

 “You have a beautiful family, sir. Your son is lucky to have such a pretty wife and sweet children.”

Henry was left speechless as well as the other two, the kids pretty much ignoring the situation running to the bathroom to wash their hands before coming back to sit themselves on either side of Nathan.

“Either way, enjoy your meals, everyone!”

“Thank you, darling.” Oddie was the one to talk to the young girl as she walked away. She looked at Henry’s face with worry, she could almost see tears in his eyes. “Henry, are you alright?”

“Yeah, I’m just gonna enjoy my meal with…” he stopped to look at the four expectant happy faces before smiling to himself. “I’m gonna enjoy my meal with all of you, you little rascals.” They laughed hard at the new names they just got.

Henry was happy, he couldn’t remember the last time he felt the warm feeling of love and family. That words, family, at least for once he wanted to believe that Nathan was the loving son he wished to have, Oddie the sweet daughter in-law and the boys his grandchildren who loved him dearly.

Yeah, at least for once, he wanted to believe they were his family and love them, even in silence.