“Holy crap, does that washing machine work?” Brian asked, amazed.
“Sure does. I can only use it on sunny days, but I think this will handle our laundry problem. If not all of it, perhaps most of it. Now that I have access to all that water in the lake, I can use the RV’s pump. I have a couple of hoses that I can run to the lake. It will be a hell of a lot easier now. Also, if you want, you all can use the shower if you’d like. Especially if I can get more propane tanks. I also picked up spare parts and filters for my systems over at Keystone RV in Greencastle, on my way here. I should be good to go for years.” BJ said.
“How will you dump the black water?” Brian asked, he knew only a little about RVs, but he knew the black water, or waste water had to go someplace.
“That’s why I parked way over here. I was thinking about digging a deep trench. Perhaps I can get some PVC pipes and run it out and down away from the RV. I could make something like a leach field, since it will only be me using the toilet.”
“That sounds like a good idea. I’ve got shovels and also plenty of PVC piping and elbows as well as Rectorseal. I was planning on setting up a bath tub in one of the toilet stalls in the house. We have four stalls with toilets and I figured I’d rig something up with a bath tub. I found an acrylic slipper tub over at Lowes. Maybe we can go over later today and pick it up. This place has a septic system in it.” Brian said, as both men left the RV. Brian set Cooper down and he ran off to play. Brian kept an eye on the boy.
“That’s great. Man, you’re way ahead of the game.” BJ said, smiling.
“I’ve been going crazy, trying to think of everything we might need. I knew plumbing and building was in my future here. So, I’d picked up as much as I could, every time I stopped at Lowes or other hardware stores. I have a solar system; I just need to figure out how to set it up.” Brian said, leading BJ to the house, where much of the supplies were kept.
“I can help you with that. I hooked mine up. My wife, Clair, wanted power at all times.” BJ said, though he choked a bit on his wife’s name. Brian saw that the man’s wounds were still fresh.
“I understand BJ, I lost my Christa as well.” He said softly. BJ cleared his throat and wiped at his eyes.
“Thanks. It’s still hard. Still so damned fresh. Anyway, if you want, after the sheds and the leach field, we can build a platform, and maybe see if we can’t make it rotate, to catch the sun. Put the solar panels on it and build a housing shed for the equipment. Easy peasy.” He laughed and Brian started laughing as well. The list just kept getting longer and longer, but he had someone here to help him with it and his shoulders felt a little lighter.
“We’ll need to pick up some insulation, to insulate the underneath of your RV. We want to ensure nothing freezes this winter. We can pick some up when we get the tub.” Brian suggested.
“Good idea. Otherwise, it would kinda be useless, at least for the winter.” BJ agreed.
Both men walked to the house, Brian keeping an eye on the busy Cooper, who was now down by the water. The child just about tired him out. He’d not been around too many children. The boy had boundless energy and he was getting used to being daddy to him. The thought made him smile.
“Coop, stay where I can see you. Don’t go in that water.” He called from the double doors at the house.
“Okay daddy.” He called out. Daisy was running up and down the beach and Coop chased after her. Going into the house, he grabbed a couple of shovels.
“Let’s get a trench dug.” Brian grinned. Both men took shovels over to the RV. Cooper came running.
“Can I help daddy?” Cooper chirped.
“You sure can buddy. Go get a shovel in the house. Thanks Tiger.” Brian grinned at BJ.
“You’re lucky to have him and I think he is very lucky to have you.” BJ said, watching the child.
“I have to say; he saved my life. He’s a sweet child. I’m proud to call him my own. I hope I can protect him.”
“I think and hope, with all of us, we can raise this child to be a healthy and happy young man. My god, I am horrified to think about all those lost children out there. My heart breaks. I lost mine, but you found yours. You know, I thought God hated me, for taking away my family. But, seeing your child, Cooper, I think God took my family to His home in heaven, but God blessed you with a child who needed you.” BJ said, his voice choked with emotion. He wiped at his tears and cleared his voice as Cooper came up, the shovel twice his size.
“I think we’re all blessed to have found each other here, BJ.” Brian said, his voice thick with emotion. He ran a dark hand through the pale blond hair. He bent down and kissed the crown of the golden head. All three began to shovel, Cooper mostly moving the dirt around. As the sun rose higher, the progress was rapid.
Ӝ
Flynn stepped on the accelerator
