A taste of freedom

Chapter 2

A road trip in balance

July 2nd: A taste of freedom

“Nat, can we go and show my dad ’Lemon Steroids’?  You’d like to see Nat’s car wouldn’t you, dad? It’s a Mustang…”

Craig’s dad smiled. “Well, I get the impression you’d like to show me Nat’s car, but maybe Nat has other things he’d prefer to do. Like finish his lunch, maybe?”

“No, I’m good,’ said Nat, hurriedly grabbing the last few fries from his plate and shoving them in his mouth. “We can go look at my car. Come on, Craig, Mark. I’ll grab the keys on the way out through the hall. You can take it for a spin down the drive.”

“Thanks, Milly,” said Craig as he leapt up and passed his own empty plate to the Bauers’ housekeeper who had just appeared by the pool to check if anyone needed their plates topping up. “That was an awesome burger. Me and Nat will come and give you a hand with the washing up if you like after we have shown my dad Nat’s car.”

“That could be a first,” laughed Nathan’s dad. “I’m not sure Nathan knows what washing up is…”

“Now, nonsense,” laughed Milly, “Of course Nathan knows how to wash up. How do you think he used to earn his ice cream treats?”

* * *

A minute or two later Craig was busy extolling the virtues of the Mustang to his dad as Nathan looked on, smiling.

“You had the interior revamped, Nat?” asked Craig as he sat in the passenger seat. “I thought there used to be a couple of cup holders here on the tunnel. And the windows look darker, more tinted.”

Nat smiled and exchanged glances with Craig’s dad. “Just a few minor upgrades, Craig. Why not take your dad for a spin down the drive?” He dangled the keys in front of Craig. “You remember how to drive it?”

“Why not give me a chance to see how you drive, Nathan?” said Craig’s dad, playfully tugging at Craig’s arm. “That’s if I can lever this limpet out of the seat.”

Craig gave way and let Nathan and his dad climb in, smiled as the doors closed with a resounding ‘Thunk!’

“Nat drives like a little old lady on the way to church, dad,” laughed Craig. “The 5.4 litre V8 is wasted on him.”

The car rocked gently as Nathan turned the key and the engine roared into life. Nathan let it idle for a few seconds then slowly started to pull away, gently easing it around the turning circle and out onto the drive than swept down the hill towards the gate lodge in the distance. Craig was still chuckling to himself as Nathan slowly let the speed build up, then drove down to the gatehouse at a steady 30 miles an hour at most. On arriving at the gatehouse, Nathan eased off, allowing the Mustang to coast almost to a halt as he approached the gates. The gates remained shut. For a moment, the Mustang remained at a halt some twenty feet or so from the gates, then Craig’s jaw dropped as it suddenly lurched backwards, almost spinning on the spot to face back up the hill. The car then shot forward, the sudden engine roar reverberating back up the hill towards him.

“What the bloody Hell…” gasped Craig as Nathan accelerated rapidly, covering two, three, four hundred yards in what seemed like as few seconds. As Craig looked on incredulously, the Mustang screeched to a halt, slewing around sideways to block the drive and both doors opened. Nathan and his dad both tumbled out, crouched down by the side of the car for a moment, then ran around it, swapping places. Almost before the doors were closed, the car was moving again, accelerating back up the hill, Craig’s dad at the wheel, throwing it from left to right, using the full width of the drive, accelerating hard and then suddenly decelerating, seemingly at random. A few seconds later the car hurtled back to the turning circle in front of the house, slowing impressively as the brakes were applied at full force and Craig’s dad applied the handbrake and some wheel to spin the car back round in the direction from which it had just come.

Both grinning for ear to ear, Nathan and Craig’s dad both flung open their doors and rolled out onto the gravel, scurried behind the car, vanished from sight for a second before popping up laughing and dusting themselves down.

“I thought you did that all the time on your console, Craig,” grinned his dad. “When I was your age, I had to make do with watching Bodie and Doyle on ‘The Professionals’ ”

Craig was suddenly aware of Nathan’s dad standing behind him.

“Good enough, Mark?” he said to Craig’s dad.

“Not bad at all,” replied Craig’s dad, still enjoying the look of bewilderment on Craig’s face.

“You should see Elizabeth,” laughed Nathan’s dad with a sly sideways grin at Craig. “Makes Nathan look like a little old lady on her way to church…”

* * *

“What was all that about, Nat?” asked Craig indignantly as he followed Nat up the staircase and into his bedroom.

Nat grinned as he slipped his dusty T shirt over his head and threw it playfully at Craig before opening a cabinet and pulling out a casual, long-sleeved shirt. “Oh, just showing your dad I could be trusted to drive you around…”

“At that speed? And with handbrake turns? We’ll be lucky if he lets me even get in a taxi with you.” 

“Err, you did notice who was driving on the way back up, Craig? Your dad seemed to have no problems throwing Lemon Steroids round like she’s meant to be.”

“That’s different, Nat. Dad’s done defensive driving courses, and close protection driving for VIPs and stuff like that. He knows what he’s doing.”

Nat grinned. “Is that so? Maybe you should ask him what he thinks of my driving then…  Anyway, we have a couple of hours to kill. How about I run us over to the strip mall? I want to pick up a new jacket for the July 4th celebrations. Could call in and say ‘Hi’ to Lee Miller if he’s at his pop’s tire shop, catch up on any news about Kyle. The two of them went to Florence in Italy a week or two back. Maybe get news on Shane too.”

Craig thought for a moment, then smiled. “Yeah, that’s good. Assuming we’re not grounded after you driving like a loon.”

Nat led the way back downstairs and round to the pool terrace but found it empty.

“Back inside, Boots. I guess pop’ll either be in his study or in his office. Mom’s probably taken your mom out to have a look around the boathouse. We’ll be using our yacht as a base for the 4th July celebrations, Jeremiah and Elijah will be crewing it for us. You remember them? They’ve been down at the boathouse all week polishing everything and getting it ready, then they’ll sail it up to Point State for us first thing tomorrow.”

“Hi, pop, Mark,” said Nat as he knocked gently on his dad’s study door before opening it. “Me and Craig are just popping out for a couple of hours. Need anything bringing in?”

“No, I think we’re good, Nathan. You two have a nice time out there. Dinner’s at seven.”

Craig looked at his own dad who was sat on a chair nursing a cup of tea. “Am I good to go, dad?”

Craig’s dad smiled and nodded. “We’re probably planning to talk about you, Craig, not to you, so off you toddle. Have a good afternoon. Make sure Nat doesn’t get booked for driving like a little old lady…”

Grinning, Nat led the way out of the house and round to his car. “See, Boots, I told you. Your dad hasn’t got a problem with my driving. We’re good to go.”

* * *

Forty-five minutes later they were pulling into the strip mall that they used to visit when they got a pass out from Allegheny. Nat let the engine idle for a few seconds before switching off and climbing out. “We could have been here ten minutes ago,” laughed Nathan, “But I didn’t want to scare you by going too fast.”

“Scare me? I almost died of boredom, Nat. Probably would have done if it hadn’t been for the added interest of being overtaken by that snail…”

Still teasing each other, they filed into the sports shop at the far side of the car lot and began to browse around until the shop owner finished serving the customer already at the counter.

“Good afternoon, Sir,” said Nathan as the customer departed and the shop owner looked over at him. “How’s business?”

“Well, good afternoon to you too, Mr Bauer.  Things are good. Come to pick up that new baseball jacket you ordered I assume? You’re lucky, it came in yesterday. Hold on a moment and I’ll get it for you. I put it away ready for your arrival. We had a half dozen more come in as part of the order and three of them have sold already. Very popular.”

The shop owner disappeared momentarily and then returned carrying a black and yellow baseball jacket.

“That’s the one,” said Nathan. “Craig, come look at this. The Pirates’ new jacket. Based on their old 1950s strip. Black woollen body, yellow leather sleeves and trim. Real retro styling.”

Craig picked up the jacket, held it in front of himself and looked over to the mirror at the end of the counter. “Looks good, proper American.” He passed the jacket back to Nathan then turned to the assistant. “Did you say you had a few more? Maybe one a size bigger? Mainly across the shoulders?”

“Yes, just step this way. You’re English aren’t you? Didn’t you come here once before, almost a year ago?”

“Yes,” nodded Craig. “With my friend, Shane. He asked your daughter if she’d like to go with him to the diner for a slice of pie.”

“That’s right, I thought I remembered you. Shane’s friend. We don’t get many English in here. Now, here we are, last of our stock. I’ll be ordering more of course, but can’t say when they’ll arrive. With the Pirates doing so well these last couple of seasons all their merchandise is selling like hot cakes. We’re fortunate that the Pirates’ merchandise co-ordinator remembers who always stocks their kit, bad times as well as the good, makes sure we still get a fair allocation when the bigger shops try to muscle in when sales are on the up. Now, here we are, you’re in luck, we do have the next size up.”

Craig took the proffered baseball jacket and slipped it on.

“What do you think, Nat?”

“Looks good, Boots. We’ll make you a good ‘ole boy yet…”

Craig glanced at the price tag. “I’ll take one too, if I may.”

“No problem, that’s what I like to hear. The cash register chiming. Do you want it wrapped, or is it good as it stands?”

“No, it’s good, I’ll probably be wearing it a lot over the next few days. Blending in. Probably way safer than a red jacket with white cross belts whilst it’s July 4th season.” Nat and the shop keeper laughed as Craig counted out a stack of ten-dollar bills and handed them over.

As Nat and Craig turned to leave the shop, the owner smiled and nodded. “I’ll be sure to let Amelia know you were both in today. Shane phones her most evenings, even when he’s in Europe like now, she’ll let him know you were here.”

After leaving the sports shop, Nathan and Craig wandered over to Mr Miller’s Tire Shop. The bell over the door rattled tinnily a few times as they entered.

“Afternoon, Mr Miller, how’s things?”

Mr Miller looked up from behind the counter where he was working on some papers and smiled. “Nathan, good to see you. And er…”

“Craig,” said Craig.

“Yes, Craig. How are you both?”

“Pretty good, Sir,” said Nathan. “It’s just a social call, popped in on the off-chance Lee might be in here to fill us in on what him and Kyle got up to on their holiday. “

Mr Miller smiled. “I’m afraid you’ve missed out there. He’s still over in Europe with Kyle. Should have been back last weekend. He was in Florence for a week with Kyle’s family. Young Shane too. Mr and Mrs Masters flew back last weekend but Kyle and Lee have stayed behind, Shane too I believe, they were enjoying it so much. Planning on making their way to Rome on a train and flying back from there.”

Nathan nodded and then, as they turned to leave, said, “Sorry about the tires. I would have had then fitted here but the suppliers insisted that they had to fit them or they wouldn’t warranty them.”

Mr Miller smiled. “I know, Nathan. It’s good. Run-flats are a real pig to fit properly too so maybe they did me a favor.”

* * *

“Hey, what are they doing to the helicopter?” asked Craig and he and Nathan drew to a halt in Lemon Steroids outside Nathan’s house. Just across the turning circle a couple of men in white overalls were busy applying some decals to the helicopter’s tail boom.

“I think it’s part of pop’s strategy. Adding some blue and white to the basic red colour. Making it look like an American flag. See, that guy has some white stars…”

“Oh, yeah, right. Looks good…”

“Come on, Boots, let’s head up to my room. We can listen to some music for a while, there’s still way over an hour before dinner. I’ve got some new vinyl you need to hear.”

* * *

“Hey, how long have you been lurking there, Elizabeth? Don’t you knock?”

“Don’t you answer when I do? Maybe you should try taking those headphones off. Time to go down to dinner, everyone’s waiting for you. Not bad singing, by the way, Craig. Nice undertone to my darling little brother’s squawks. Between the two of you there’s almost a good voice trying to escape.”

Craig and Nat took off the headphones they’d been listening to and tossed them onto Nat’s bed. “Come on, Boots, let’s go down and eat before Elizabeth pops a gasket. No, no need for a tie, we’re informal here.”

* * *

Craig placed his knife and fork carefully on his plate and sat back in his chair. “That was excellent, Milly,” he said as the Bauer’s housekeeper hovered close by ready to clear away their plates.

Craig’s mum smiled. “I heard a lot about your cooking when Craig came home. He spent quite some time in the kitchen trying to replicate some of your dishes.”

“Craig cooks?” asked Elizabeth. “How interesting.”

Craig’s an ace cook,” interjected Nathan quickly. “You should see what he cooked for me at his gran’s farm. We shot a couple of rabbits and Craig made me a meal with them. Pan fried with cider, grated onions and a cheese sauce, all served with rice. As good as anything you’d get in a restaurant.”

“I imagine it had a certain rustic charm, little brother…”

“I’ll cook something for us all one evening if you’ll let me,” said Craig. “Assuming Milly doesn’t mind me using her kitchen.”

“Perhaps you’d like to cook for us on the yacht, Craig,” said Angela, Nathan’s mum, carefully dabbing her lips with a napkin. “Your mother and I had a delightful afternoon meeting up with some of my friends at the gallery this afternoon, so much so that we’ve decided to go up to Pittsburgh early, sail with the yacht tomorrow morning. I’ve invited a few friends to an afternoon cocktail party and then we’ll stay onboard overnight.  Elizabeth too. Nathan’s father will fly in and join us by helicopter on the fourth. Perhaps you two boys would like to join us tomorrow evening after whatever you have planned for tomorrow, then be in place already for when the celebrations start on Independence Day.”

Craig glanced at Nathan. “That sounds like a good idea doesn’t it, Nathan?”

“Fine by me,” smiled Nathan, “I can think of plenty of things for us to do tomorrow daytime, then we can board the yacht off State Point tomorrow evening. If it’s just Elijah and Jeremiah onboard as crew maybe we can help sail it, and stay in the Captain’s cabin.”

“Speaking of tomorrow,” said Paul, Nathan’s father, “Mark and I would like a chat with you about what a few things. Ideas for what you might like to do for the next week or so. Isn’t that right, Mark?”

Craig’s dad smiled and nodded. “Yes, we’ve been thinking…”

Craig and Nathan exchanged glances.

“Well ladies,” said Angela, “I think that’s our cue to retire to the terrace for a glass of wine and perhaps another slice of cheesecake. It’s such a beautiful evening. Let’s leave the gentlemen to their discussions.”

Craig was quick to his feet, easing back the chairs of both Elizabeth and Angela who were sat either side of him. Nathan, a little slower, stood and eased Craig’s mum’s chair away from the table. Elizabeth smirked. “A chef, and manners too, little brother. Seems like you have quite some learning to do…”

Their respective fathers exchanged wry glances as Craig and Nathan sat back down at the table after the ladies had left. “It seems like they hit it off well enough,” smiled Paul. “The original plan was for us all to join the yacht on the fourth but it rather seems that’s been brought forward after this afternoon’s society tea at the gallery. Nathan, perhaps you’d be so kind as to pour us all a drink?”

“Oh?” said Nathan, slowly getting to his feet and stepping over to a cabinet. “One of those conversations?” Nathan hinged down the front of a cabinet and slid four chunky crystal glasses across the small table so formed. “Whisky, everyone? It’s a Dailuaine Single cask. Crushed ice too?”

Two of the glasses had noticeably more ice in them than the other two, and Nathan held those back for himself and Craig after passing a glass each to his own father and then to Craig’s dad.

“So, pop,” said Nat as he settled back down in one of the empty chairs by Craig’s side. “What’s the verdict? Do I even get to hear what I’m accused of before sentence is passed?”

Nat’s dad ignored the comment, raised his glass slightly in toast to Craig’s dad and took a sip of the whisky before turning to face Craig.

“Craig, your pop and I have been discussing quite a few things this afternoon. Since returning from his Easter vacation with you in England, Nathan has been wanting to make your vacation here every bit as enjoyable for you as his stay with you was for him. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard the tales of how you two went hunting, land yacht racing, digging up Viking treasure and so on. Even riding on a bus…”

Craig smiled and nodded.

“Now, you may recall from your stay at Allegheny, I bought Nathan his car not long after he passed his driving test and managed to keep a clean licence for six months. He’s been restricted to just using it locally: travelling to and from college, visiting Pittsburgh and the surrounding area. One of the things he’s been pestering me about is allowing him to go on a road trip in it this summer.  When we invited you to come over for a summer vacation, Nathan was hoping to take you on a tour of America, or at least the surrounding states, with him. I wasn’t averse to that, initially. Nathan has proven himself to be a safe and sensible driver.  However, things have changed somewhat, and that idea has been thrown into doubt.” Nathan’s father took another small sip of whisky before continuing.

“You may have gathered; this year is an election year for the State Governorship. I’ve served two terms as Lieutenant Governor, one to a Republican Governor, this latter term to a Democratic Governor. Pennsylvania has gone ten years without a Bauer at the helm of the ship of state. First mate Bauer, maybe: learning the trade. Things have gone well for me. I had planned to try and serve a third term as deputy and then run for Governor next time around. As I’ll announce publicly on July Fourth, that’s no longer the plan. I aim to take on the current Governor and replace him this fall. Everything has fallen into place, not least due to Nathan here. The College’s support to the Lakes Dump  and the subsequent tv documentaries about the college, in which Nathan featured heavily, cast a flattering light on my non-partisan service as Lieutenant Governor. I’ve always striven to do what is best for the people of Pennsylvania, putting their prosperity and well-being ahead of party politics. It’s been the Bauer way for over a hundred years. It has served us well. I’m doing well in the polls I’ve commissioned. Leading the incumbent Governor by over 17 points. I’d be a fool not to throw my hat in the ring and take a run at the Governorship.”

“I don’t know much about politics,” said Craig, looking at his dad. “Soldiers don’t have political opinions anyway, do they dad? We just obey and serve. But I can see that if you look pretty good and popular, July Fourth might be the time to launch a campaign. Get the patriotism behind you.”

Nathan’s dad smiled. “Yes, that sums things up. Unfortunately, however, it’s going to have unwelcome consequences for Nathan. Like it or not, he’s going to be thrust into the limelight. I’ve tried to shield both him and Elizabeth from the scrutiny of my political ambitions as far as I can, but that’s not going to be so easy once I announce I am running for office. Nathan already knows how intrusive the press can be, and that is only going to get worse. It’s neither fair nor good, but it is reality.”

“So, what you’re saying pop,” said Nathan, nursing his glass of whisky in both hands, “Is that I’m grounded. No road trip. No going beyond the front gate without a minder.”

A pained look flashed across his father’s face but it was Craig’s dad who spoke first.

“Not necessarily. Your dad and I have had a long discussion today. Well, to be honest, we started talking about it several weeks ago. You are both still young. Politics shouldn’t affect you. It shouldn’t get in your way. One of the things your dad said when you visited us in England was how grateful he was that you had had the opportunity to just be a teenage boy. Now, why shouldn’t that happen here?”

Nathan and Craig looked at each other, then at their fathers.

“Craig,” said his dad, ”You spotted some changes to ‘Lemon Steroids’ today. Film on the windows to stop them shattering. Heavier doors. A safety cubby box where the cup holders used to be. There have been other, less obvious, changes too. Ceramic plates in the seats and doors. Run flat tyres. In short, ‘Steroids’ has been armoured.”

Craig looked at Nat. “Wow!”

“Engine uprated too, to cope with the extra weight,” added Nat.

“And Nathan has been taught how to drive defensively. How to use his car to escape from trouble.”

“Yeah, I noticed that this afternoon, he drives like you do, dad. Never gets too close to the cars in front or alongside, always allows himself space to manoeuvre.”

Craig’s dad grinned. “Yup, son. Proper Bodie in the making.”

Nathan and his father looked at each other, perplexed, unaware of the reference.

“There’s something else too, Craig,” said Nathan’s father seriously. “It’s a measure I hope will never be necessary, and I certainly don’t want to worry you – Pennsylvania is definitely one of the safest states in the country – but it is something you ought to be aware of. I’ve discussed it with your father and he agrees you ought to know. It’s exceptionally unlikely anything like this will ever happen but precautions have to be taken: there always exists the possibility of an attack upon me. As I said, it’s very unlikely, but as the possibility, however small, does exist, measures have been put in place to mitigate against it. I will have an armed bodyguard when in public. In addition, there are a number of firearms discreetly hidden around this house, and on our yacht, for use in an emergency. Nathan has been told where they are, and taught how to use them.”

Craig nodded but said nothing.

“I was minded to ground Nathan, not to let you and him go anywhere this vacation away from the family, or without a bodyguard or two shadowing your every move,” said Nathan’s dad.

“That would be unfair,” said Craig’s dad. “Pennsylvania is a safe state. Paul isn’t reviled, unlike many politicians. Above all, Nathan shouldn’t have to hide away, ‘just in case’. We’ve talked things over. We feel that Paul’s political aspirations shouldn’t affect your holiday here. You and Nathan should be allowed to carry on as near to normal as possible. Yes, Nathan and Elizabeth will be expected to appear in public occasionally, portraying the homely family image, but aside from that you ought to be able to slip under the radar, just enjoy being teenagers.”

“There are, of course, some conditions and caveats,” said Nathan’s dad. “We’ve decided we’re happy for Nathan and yourself to go on the road trip he wanted, but, and it’s a non-negotiable but, Nathan, only within the state of Pennsylvania. I’ll explain why later. Is that acceptable, Nathan?”

Nat tried hard to maintain a sullen look but couldn’t hide a flicker of a smile crossing his face. “Sounds like a start, pop.”

“What we propose Nathan is that tomorrow, you and Craig spend some time with Christian from ‘Safe and Secure Inc’, so that Craig can be taught what to do in an emergency.”

Nathan turned quickly to face Craig. “Christian runs a company providing bodyguards and security training, he’s an ex-Navy SEAL. I had to go on a three-day course with him a few weeks ago to learn defensive driving. Shooting too.”

Craig’s dad intervened quickly. “You’ll not be learning how to shoot, Craig. Just how to avoid confrontation. How to recognise danger and defuse it, or back down and seek safety, quickly. Got that?”

“Got that, dad.”

“The plan is, and it’s subject to change, Nathan,” said Paul, “Is that if Craig and his pop are happy with the idea, and Craig’s pop approves after seeing the training tomorrow, we’ll consider letting the two of you take a road trip around Pennsylvania over the next week or so after the July Fourth celebrations. All attention should be on me, so the two of you ought to be able to vanish into the background and disappear for a while. Live just like a couple of ordinary American teenagers. It’s not going to be easy: I’m sure there will be issues and I’m trusting you to work with me, work with us, to overcome them. Can we do that, Nathan? We believe the two of you have earned the right to a taste of freedom”