Friday evening, the LeGend Manor
An engine winds down to cool as Garrison Dhorne calms his red Dodge Ram affectionately called, "Redwood", for the night. Hopping down from it's towering height Connor Dhorne offers to help his Aunt Nina out. She declines telling her nephew that she could do it on her own. Even though it took Garrison to get her into the truck in the first place. Not wanting to look as if she couldn't take care of herself she takes a deep breath and dangles from the trucks door.
"Aunt Nina it's only a two foot drop."Connor tries not to laugh. Nina's pride was damned hilarious.
The front door of the house opened up to the shrill voices of Babs LeGend and her sister Gina Grogan rushing out with arms outstretched to welcome Connor home. Oz chuckled as they fawned over him while ignoring Nina who suddenly dropped behind them with a squealing clatter of a broken heel.
She stands up shaken then throws her hands up, "I'm fine. Don't everyone run to my tragedy at the same time. It's only a broken heel and a sprained ankle. I'll just limp inside and borrow Daddy's hunting rifle and shoot myself. After all I'm nothing when I'm lame."
Babs turns to frown at her daughter, "Stop whinnying, Dear. You're okay. It's just been awhile since I've seen my handsome Grandson. Go on inside and have Trinity put an ice pack on your ankle."
Nina rolls her eyes, "Right. As if I would allow that crazy woman to ice me down. If anything she would come at my ankle with a chain saw."
Aunt Gina who had been pelting Connor with kisses pulls away and steps over to Nina's aid, "Put your arm around me, Sweetheart. I'll help you to the house."
Babs held Connor firmly by his shoulders staring directly into his eyes, "You've grown so much. You look just like your Father." He shakes his head, "No, I don't. I'll get plastic surgery first."
"Connor. Be nice. Your Father is trying very hard to turn over a new leaf."
Eyes are rolled, "New leaf? He calls his truck, "Redwood". How could he even reach the leaves? Grandma, I just want to go to my room."
She frowns almost pouting, "Go on ahead then. At least hug your Grandfather."
"Will do."
Stepping around her he drops the tail gate and tries to reach his bags which had slid forward. Even at a height of 5' 6 he was too short to effectively reach in at the trucks rate of balance. Finally, he gives up and turns to head inside, directly into his Father's chest. Oz looks down at him without any expression then reaches past him to obtain his bags.
"Might wanna wash yer cheeks off before ya step inside. Gus might think he has a granddaughter. Blushin' and all."
Connor rubs his face on the bottom of his t-shirt then runs around to look into the rear view mirror. Hopping up and down to no avail he gives up until his Dad steps behind him tilting the mirror down, "There ya go Sleeping Beauty. Yer still the fairest of them all. Leastways that's what NinaLou says when she looks back at ya."
Connor judges his skin as clear then shakes his head, "Why do you and Aunt Nina have such a hate for one another?"
"Wouldn't call it hate. More not seein' eye to thigh. She's just in her own lil world and so am I. 'Cept mine rotates on an axis. Nina's wobbles cuz her ass is too heavy on one side a her planet."
Connor wrinkles his nose, "It's not really that big. I just felt like being silly." "Don't sweat it. She'll get over it. Take yer bags up to yer room after you say howdy to Gus. We're goin' for a walk before dinner. So get cleaned up."
"I'd rather just stay in my room." The boy frowns.
Dhorne leans down face to face with his son, "Did I give ya that option?"
With a snarl he heaves his bags off the ground and limps toward the front door just as Uncle Joe steps out.
"Welcome home Nephew. Need some help with those?"
Connor walks right past him without so much as a glance.
Oz steps in, "Let him go. Step at a time, Joe. If he don't fall down the stairs he won't get back up and take flight."
Joe Grogan nods in understanding. His nephew knew well just how to coin a phrase. He would remember that quote for his Sunday service.
Inside the parlor Gus LeGend stood reading a journal which he looks up from as Connor storms by the opened doorway. He begins to speak up when he hears pounding feet going up the stairwell. He had been ignored. The smile he had in ready was fading fast. Then, he heard bags collide on the ceiling over him. A door slams then creaks open just as quickly. Footsteps race down the stairs and the sounds of shoes screeching on the floor immediately halt in the door frame.
Connor Dhorne looks in at his Grandfather almost sheepishly as their eyes meet. In the time it took to exhale Connor darts into the mans arms. A deafening sigh escaped Augustus followed by an apology.
"I'm sorry Grampa. For everything. All of my running away. Making you and Grandma a nervous wreck."
Gus pats his Grandson's back then clutches the back of his head pulling him in tighter, "My boy. Welcome back. That's in the past. Work on the present. It's good to have you home. It's good to have ALL of my children home."
He releases the boy long enough to capture his Grandson's cheeks beneath his palms forcing him to look deeply into his eyes, "We are LeGend's! The past is what makes us who we are. Great men have come and gone. Wandered. Their trespass creating destiny for those to come. Your running away only confirmed that your blood is a well mixed cocktail of LeGend and Dhorne. As you've noticed even the Dhorne part can come home."
Connor rolls his eyes, "Yeah. Bet he's gone in a month."
Gus shakes his head, "No, my boy. Not this time. I believe your Father is here to stay. As are you. Running away is no longer an option. Stand up tall and become a Man."
Again Connor scoffs, "Tell that to Dad."
Gus looks behind Connor to see Garrison standing in the doorway. A bright smile is offered to his Son-in-law, "I don't believe your Father could stand any taller."
Connor turns around to leer at his Dad when Oz arches up on his toes just to prove Gus wrong. Without so much as a grin Dhorne motions up the stairs with a thumb.
Connor sighs, "I can't even say hi to Grampa. I'm going. I'm going."
He nudges between Oz and the threshold when Dhorne stops him with a palm on his shoulder. "That thumb was directin' you to me."
He twists his son toward him then yanks him in for a hug of his own. Connor tried to fight it but finally gave in. Dhorne could feel the tense reaction and lets up. Another day he thought.
"Go on up."
Before Connor could move on Gus halts him with a cleared throat, "After dinner I'd like to show you something. If it's okay with your Father?"
He pats the journal in his hand for Oz to see. Dhorne in reaction tilts his head on it's side. Without agreeing he nods for Connor to go on up. As feet race up the stairwell Oz squints at Gus, "Purdy early to be spillin' family secrets, ain't it Gus?"
The older man puckers, "The circle unites. Just as all of your collar's come together. Manhood deserves a chance to evolve. Does it not?"
Oz rubs his chin, "Yeah, but are you positive my boy can keep a secret? Lotto risk here, Gus. Not that anybody would believe it. Especially coming from a teenager. Yer call. Just don't regret yer decision."
Gus faintly smiles looking at first down at the journal then up over his eyebrows at Dhorne, "Have I regretted my decision to make you a part of my family? Hardly. The stock we both come from are strong and versatile. A hybrid of MASTER's in our own right. Connor will further that blood line, Garrison."
Dhorne nodded, "Alright! Just remember two babies' teethin' at once make for a lotta tears an covered ears. I'll back ya up. As always."
A respectful gaze shared, Oz breaks away to look up the staircase, "Gonna go consult, Nora. With my eyes closed. See y'all at dinner."
Gus lowers his eyes and reopens the book.
Connor sat on his old bed at the far end of the Manor. This was the same room that Gus LeGend grew up in. The room at one time was also occupied by his great "Uncle Leon" long before he was ever born. When Augustus was young he would call Leon his imaginary friend only by the name of "Tristan". Reason's unknown.
Leon was the only nephew of his great, great, great Grandfather "Armando LeGend". Augustus LeGend would be known as his distant cousin. Leon's father had died during the Civil War and he was sent to Armand and his wife Dorothea to be raised. Leon had been born with epilepsy and unfortunately had died from it in this particular room. At age 15, of all ages. Connor shivered at recalling the story. He would lay awake at night after his Mother had died and wonder if Leon's ghost was standing watch over him. After all things would tremble in the night. In the darkness. All but Connor. He would smile and tell Leon to go to sleep. The trinkets would stop shaking.
Standing up he began opening his bags to sort through his belongings. Hanging up shirts and jeans. Placing socks and underwear in dresser drawers. Finally, he reached his more personal belongings. A picture frame consisting of a photograph containing he and his Mother down by the lake was dusted off on his shirt before planted on the dresser's top. The ball cap given to him by his Uncle Donovan was mounted on a bed post. Assorted belongings such as "cd's, poetry books, and a .35 mm camera along with an album of pictures he had taken over the last three years were scattered about.
Holding the camera up he chuckled. On the roll was a picture taken up the skirt of Renee Cherish as she slept on the bus. Maybe he was more like his Father than he cared to admit.
A knock on the door forces him to hide the camera before answering it. On the other side as he opened the door was his lovely Aunt Nina.
"Hey Sport. Can we talk?"
Connor fidgets then steps aside to let her in. She limps lightly from her unbalanced drop beside Dhorne's truck. "I'll live. I'm as tough as nails on a chalkboard. I just want to clear the air about my end of the spectrum. I'm sorry I was such a bad Auntie. As you know losing Donatello sent me into such a depression. I do know you tried to be there for me. Please know I really did appreciate how you tried to comfort me in my time of need. You are very important to me, Connor. I'm just such a bitch I guess." He shrugs looking at the floor, "I didn't use that word. At least back then." He recalls implying it on the bus in talking to Renee Cherish.
Nina glares at him with awe, "I know I was. It's okay. You can call me that."
