Jimmy’s brother, who hadn’t spoken a word, walked over and pulled Jimmy up by his arm. “Come on. We have to get home. Now! Mother will wonder where we are.”
“No she won’t. She told us to stay out of her way today. She’s busy with house cleaning. I’m staying here with Mr. Gardner and the kitten. You go home if you want,” he snapped, pulling free from his brother’s grasp.
“I’m gonna tell Mother you’re talking to a stranger. You know what she’ll do to you for that,” Billy said as he turned and began walking up the beach. “Are you coming or not?” he yelled over his shoulder.
“You’re a pain in the neck, Billy. Besides, Mr. Gardner isn’t a stranger—he’s our neighbor. Go ahead and tell on me. See if I care!” he yelled at his brother. Jimmy, his face red with anger and embarrassment, said to Tom, “Don’t mind Billy. He’s always like that, always trying to get me in hot water.”
“I don’t want you to get into any trouble,” Tom said
“Don’t worry. I won’t. Hey, did you really mean I could help you name your cat?” he asked grinning.
Tom knelt down on the sand beside the boy. “Sure did. Any ideas?”
“Hmm. Let me think a minute. What about Tiger? No. I don’t like that. He doesn’t look anything like a tiger.”
Tom looked away so Jimmy couldn’t see him smiling. He didn‘t want him to think he was laughing at him, but Jimmy was taking the naming so seriously he actually looked distressed.
Jimmy snapped his fingers and grinned. “I know! Wiggins. I had a friend named Bobby Wiggins. He moved away. What do you think?” he asked, very seriously.
“Wiggins! I like it!” Tom scooped the kitten up. Wiggins squirmed to get away. Tom put him down on the sand. Jimmy found a length of fishing line laying on the beach and began playing with the cat, who ran in circles trying to catch the elusive end. Tom watched, amused.
Jimmy was a small boy with a slight build. Tom guessed he was maybe eight or nine years old. His complexion was fair and dotted with pale, reddish- brown freckles. His unruly, red hair fell across his forehead into his hazel eyes. His face had an impish quality, especially when he grinned like he was doing now as he played with the kitten.
“Tom Gardner?” a man shouted from down the beach. “I’m Dick Groden from the phone company. I’m here to check your phone lines.”
“I’ll be right there,” Tom yelled. “Jimmy, I need to go. See you around, kid!”
Jimmy followed, asking, “Can I come with you? I’ve never been in the Lindemans’ house. They were old and sick, and Mother wouldn’t let us bother them. I promise I won’t get in the way. Please?”
“What about your mom, Jimmy? I don’t want to worry her. And I don’t want you to get into trouble. Why don’t you go and ask. I’ll wait here for you.”
Dick was walking toward Tom. Tom gestured to Jimmy running down the beach. “I’m waiting for the boy to come back. Give me a minute?”
“Sure,” Dick said, extending his hand to Tom. “Good to meet you. Glad someone finally bought the Lindeman house. Nice place.” Dick shook Tom’s hand.
In a few minutes, Jimmy came running down to the beach from the Harrison house. “Mother said I couldn’t go into your house. She says you might be some pervert or something. She says I can’t go to your house until she has been ‘properly introduced’. Boy oh boy, mothers are a real pain sometimes! Could you come and meet her, do you think?”
Dick laughed. “I’m not in any hurry to get into the house. I need to do some checks on the connection box down the road. I’ll go ahead and get started. Probably take me half an hour anyway. I’ll be back in a while. Jimmy! How you doin', kid?”
“Hey, Dick! Mr. Gardner let me name his kitten. Cool, huh? I'm gonna take Mr. Gardner to meet my mother. See you later.” Jimmy grabbed Tom’s sleeve and gently tugged. “Come on. Let’s get this over with! Mothers!”
The Harrison’s house was a large New England Colonial; three stories high—its floor plan at least twice the size of Tom’s house. “Come on this way, Mr. Gardner. We better go around to the back door. Mother’s getting the house all cleaned up for Thanksgiving, and if I track any dirt in she’ll have my head,” he stated matter of factly.
As Tom was led through the rear door, he saw the back of a woman disappearing through another doorway. She turned around when she heard Jimmy and Tom.
“Oh, Jimmy! For heaven’s sake. What is it now?” Her eyes met Tom’s. “Oh!”
“Sorry to intrude. Forgive me for barging in unannounced,” Tom said, trying to keep his tone light and hide his embarrassment at the obvious intrusion.
“Mother, this is Mr. Gardner. He moved in the house next door. This is my mother, Mrs. Harrison.”
“Oh! Goodness! How rude I must seem.” She smiled, fluffing her stylishly coiffed, blonde hair. “Gardner? Are you any relation to Robert Gardner, from Jamestown, by chance?” she asked, an expectant note in her voice.
“Robert was my father. He’s been dead for many years, though.”
“Yes, I remember. My dad knew him. We were terribly sad to hear about his death. A hunting accident wasn’t it?”
“Yes, it was.” Tom glanced around the room. Changing the subject he said, “You have a beautiful home, Mrs. Harrison. I apologize for just dropping in, I thought Jimmy . . . ”
Vivian interrupted, her green eyes sparkling, “On the contrary, Mr. Gardner, I insisted that Jimmy bring you. I just didn’t realize he was going to bring you right away.” She laughed. “I’m so glad you came. Don’t give it a second thought. And please, call me Vivian. Would you care to come into the drawing room, and I’ll get you something to drink? Maybe a cup of tea . . . or coffee?”
“Thanks, but I have to get back. Dick Groden from the phone company's waiting. Would you care if Jimmy came back with me? I could use the company.”
Vivian raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Are you sure you want him underfoot? He can be such a nuisance sometimes.”
“Mother!” Jimmy smiled sheepishly, his cheeks and ears blushing crimson.
“I’m certain,” Tom said, winking at Jimmy.
“Well—all right. At least that will keep him busy—I have so much to do here. If he doesn’t behave, send him home.” She reached out, gently putting her hand on Tom’s arm. “Are you sure you can’t stay a while?” She smiled warmly. “We could get to know each other a little. It can be so isolating here. Perhaps a glass of sherry before you go?”
“Another time. It was a pleasure meeting you. And don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye on Jimmy,” Tom said, heading toward the back door. “Come on Jimmy.”
“Jimmy, you be on your best behavior, do you hear? And be sure to get Mr. Gardner’s phone number so I can call and invite him for drinks. Do you hear me?” she shouted as they neared the cliff steps.
“Yes, Mother,” Jimmy called over his shoulder.
As they walked down the beach, Tom saw that Joe was back and was talking with Dick. As soon as he saw them, Joe walked down the beach to meet them. “Well, well, if it isn’t little Jimmy Harrison.” Tom didn’t care for Joe’s tone of voice and shot him a disapproving look.
Jimmy ran over to Wiggins sunbathing on a rock. Lifting him up in his arms, Jimmy started climbing up the cliff steps toward the house. Tom lagged behind, waited until Jimmy was halfway up the stairs, then he said to Joe, “I know you don’t like the Harrisons, but Jimmy’s a great kid. I don’t want you to hold his family against him. All right?”