Hobby Shop
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Chapter 1
Steve crossed the lobby of the bank after depositing his substantial paycheque and receiving 'walking around money' from the teller. He had glanced at the receipt, pleased to note a considerable transfer made to his brokerage account. 'So long as those imbeciles in Washington didn't screw things up any worse, I'll double my money within a year,' he thought. 'Maybe even break a hundred thousand. It's only a moderate amount, but it's mine and it's fun watching it grow.' Steve was not miserly, but spent carefully, getting value for his money and wasting little.
Now Friday, he had the weekend free. He strode along the sidewalk. After another block, he moved closer in to the buildings so that he could see into the windows of the various shops as he passed, anticipating stopping at the last shop.
He slowed and grimaced remembering when he was much the same as the small grubby boy staring fascinated at the small N gauge layout in the window where all new N scale products were displayed. He moves closer and peers over the small boy's head. 'Yes, there was the row of three model stores he had been waiting to see. The unit was low-relief, perfect for use against the background of his small modular layout.
He was about to turn when a small treble voice intruded on his thoughts. "Ain't that wonderful, Mister?"
He looked down into sparkling green eyes, seeing the wonderment. "It is nice, isn't it?"
"I wish I could have a train set like that." The child pointed to a boxed starter set, set against the window.
Steve recognized it as an inexpensive starter set with an oval of track, a locomotive, three cars made of plastic, and a power supply.
Though he liked children and had gay tendencies, he suppressed them heavily and never had a sexual thought about a child. "And where would you put it if it were yours?"
An expression of sadness crept across the child's face. "I don't have nowhere to put it. 'Sides, if I come home with somethin' nice like that, my old man would give me a good beatin' and stomp it to pieces."
"Why, for heaven's sake?"
"'Cause he says I'm worthless and don't deserve nothin' to play with. He hits me if I stay after school and play with other kids."
Intrigued, Steve asked, "What do you do with your time, then?"
"He makes me clean the house and scrub the kitchen floor. It's old and beat up from him spilling an' throwing things so it's never gonna look clean no matter what I do. He makes all the mess, but he says I'm lazy and beats me if it ain't clean the minute he turns around."
"But surely, your mother …"
"She died two years ago."
Touched by the child's plight, Steve asked, "Want to go in and see the bigger layout at the back of the shop?"
The boy nodded. "I want to, but he," he nods towards the interior of the shop, "runs me out."
"He won't run you out this time. Come along, son."
Steve guided the child to a large layout at the rear of the store. It was set up to be operated by anyone wishing to run the trains. He showed the child how to operate the simple controls and watches the joyous expression on his face as the trains begin to move along the tracks.
When the door closed behind the customer the shop owner was waiting on when Steve and the child entered, the owner called out, "Your order's just come in, Steve. I …," he looked down at the child. "I told you to stay the hell out of here and leave those damn trains alone. Now get out, kid."
Instantly, Steve took umbrage. "Who put a bee up your butt, George?"
"That damn kid. Always trying to sneak in and screw around with the layout. One of these days he’s gonna bust something. Besides, people don’t like seeing a grubby little bastard like that in a decent shop."
Steve dropped a hand on the child's thin shoulder. "Let's go, son. Hope your day improves, George."
"Wait, Steve. Ain't you gonna take your order?"
"Not until you can show a little common decency to a child, George. He may not have the things we do, but there's nothing wrong with allowing him to look at the layout and dream. There was a time when I was almost like him, but I kept my dream until I could afford a bit of it. That's what it's all about, isn't it? Who knows, some day he may be able to buy this entire place, contents and all."
"Yeah, but …"
"And has he ever touched anything?"
"Well, no, not 'til you showed him how to turn the power supply to the layout on, but …"
"I notice you don't yell at the better dressed kids, some I know have caused you some grief with their wandering hands."
"That's true, but I …"
"We may or may not be back sometime soon to see if your manners have improved. If not, you can forget my patronage. It's inconvenient, but I can get the things I need at Rail World."
The shopkeeper shook his head. "I'm begging you, Steve, please, don't do that. You're one of my better customers and you're a valuable member of our modular group."
"We'll see," Steve replied, walking out the door, pushing the child in front of me.
"I … I'm sorry, Mister. I didn't mean to make you mad," the child said, his voice trembling.
Steve patted him on the back. "You didn't make me mad, son. George's attitude pissed me off. The modelers of the future are kids your age. He should remember that."
He squatted down and looked into the boy's pinched face. "What's your name, son?"
"Danny, sir."
"Don't you want to go home and get a bath?"
"We don't have no hot water because the heater is broken. The old man only lets me take a bath on Saturday night while he's at the bar getting' drunk. If I was to get a shower while he's at the bar, he'dd see I was clean when he came home and beat me fer wastin' water."
Danny grasped Steve's hand. "Would you buy me something to eat. I ain't had nothing 'cept what they give us for the free lunch at school. It ain't much, 'cause I can't pay for it."
Steve can hardly believe a child so tiny is in school. "How old are you, son?"
Danny stands taller. "I'm eleven an' I'm supposed to start in the sixth grade, but my old man told me I couldn't go 'cause it cost too much."
"Why are you using poor English when I heard you speaking better a few minutes ago?"
The boy's grubby upturned face held a look of surprise. "Isn't that the way you expect a street kid to speak?"
"What school do you attend?"
"Westwood Academy."
Steve was shocked to hear the name of one of the most highly rated and expensive private schools in the state. 'There must be quite a story here,' he thought to himself. 'I hope I can discover what it is,' but his attention focused back on the boy, thinking that lack of food must be the cause of the child's small size.
Across the street, he saw the small privately owned department store from which he frequently purchased his own clothes. Swansons carried well-made moderately priced merchandise. No designer garments, just solid brand name brand goods.
"Come with me, son. Let's get you something decent to wear, then we'll get you cleaned up, and have dinner. How does that sound?"
"Really, Sir? I can't hardly wait!" His face shown with joy then suddenly sobered. "What I got to do for it?"
"What do you mean? Nothing, I want to help you."
"You aren't going to get me naked and put your hands all over me? You aren't going to make me touch you where I don't want to?"
"Good Heavens, no! Has someone else tried to do that to you?"
The boy nodded. "A big ugly man tried to, but I ran and hid."
"I'm so sorry, son. I only want to help you look and feel better, give you a good dinner, and we'll see after that."
"Oh. I guess it's okay, then."
As he had expected, Mrs. Swanson descended on them the moment they walk through the door. "Mr. Harmon, how nice to see you again. How may I help you?"
"Nice to see you again, also, Mrs. Swanson. We need a few things for this young man. I'd say from the ground up."
She smiled at Danny and, taking a tape measure from her sweater pocket, sets to work. When she stood, she looked at Steve. "I think you can understand if I ask that he not try on clothing here in the store. If there's anything doesn't fit well when he's tried them at home, I'll be most happy to make an exchange for you."
Steve nodded. "Understandable, of course. Thank you." He looked at Danny. "Let's go with Mrs. Swanson and see if you find something you like."
Danny only stood and stared at the number of items that Mrs. Swanson selects.
"Do you like these jeans?" Steve asked him.
When he nodded, Steve said, "Two pair," to Mrs. Swanson. He then holds up a pair of cargo pants. "How about these for school?"
Danny shook his head. "I like them a lot, but we have uniforms for school."
"What about for outside of school? For casual dress? You won't need school uniforms for another three weeks or so."
Danny's smile stretched from ear to ear. "They'll be great, sir."
Mrs. Swanson held up four pullover shirts in stripes that blend with the cargo pants and jeans. She finally held up a button-up sports shirt in a forest green that contrasted with the tan cargo pants. Steve approved, then handed Mrs. Swanson a pair of cargo shorts.
Danny said yes to white briefs and T-shirts. Steve picks out a half-dozen pair of socks matching the shirts and a pair of what Mrs. Swanson informed him are now known as trainers.
Holding the handles of the plastic shopping bag Mrs. Swanson had placed the purchases in. Steve guided Danny outside and turned towards his apartment.
"Where we going? Danny asked.
"To my flat so you can get a hot shower and put on some of your new clothing so you'll look nice for dinner."
Had it been dark, Danny's smile would have lighted the way with its brilliance.
Steve used his key card to open the front door, and pushed Danny ahead of him. They rode the lift to the fourth floor where he used the card to open the door to his flat.
Danny stepped across the threshold and stopped. "We had a house that looked nice like this until my mom died." He said sadly.
"It's just home, son. Not very big, but enough for me and Moose."
"Who's Moose?"
"Here he comes." Steve pointed to a huge gray cat coming around the end of the bar dividing the kitchen from the living area. Moose stopped and eyed the boy warily. "I don't think he'll have much to do with you. He doesn't like most people."
"How come you named your cat moose?"
"Mostly because he's so big and weighs so much for a cat." Steve reached down and touched Danny on the shoulder. "Let's go get you a shower."
Shuddering at the filthy clothing and odor, Steve started the water running and, even feeling that the boy was quite old enough to care for himself properly, Steve resolved to wash him himself to be certain he was thoroughly clean.
After an initial resistance to Steve bathing him, Danny relaxed and seemed to enjoy the warm spray. It took two applications of shampoo before his long shaggy hair was revealed to be a light brown, silky to the touch. A haircut was added to Steve's agenda for the child.
Nicely dressed in his new green shirt and tan cargo pants, Danny preened a bit in front of the full length mirror on the back of the closet door. "Oh, thanks so much, Mister. This is the best I've felt in a long time."
"My name is Steve, son. Call me that, not mister. Now let's go."
They walked the two blocks to the strip mall where the barbershop Steve favors was located. Holding Danny's hand, he guided him into the shop.
A few minutes later it was a transformed young man standing before him. "I sure like the way I look."
"I'm glad. Now let's go eat."
Steve was amazed to see Danny eat a full chicken dinner and drink two glasses of milk, while he was more than satisfied with just a salad and tea.
"You were looking at the trains, too. Do you have a layout?" Danny asked as they walk home.
"Not in the way you think of one, son. I work with modules because I don't have room to set up a layout."
"What's the difference?"
"I'll show you when we get home. I use four-foot modules. That is, each module is four feet wide and two feet deep. They can be longer, but four-foot lengths don't take up so much room. There are national standards for those of us who do modular work so we can meet and connect our modules together. That way we can run long trains."
"Are you working on one now?" Danny asked eagerly.
Steve reached down and tousled his hair. "I'll show you at home."
Once they were back in his flat, Steve led Danny over to the corner to his small worktable, next to it a two by four form covered by a clear plastic sheet. "How do you like this, son?" He asked, lifting the plastic sheet carefully off.
The basic work was done and Steve had much of the landscaping finished, save a few bare places toward the back abutting the backdrop. "The things I was going to get today would let me get close to finishing this up. I want to be able to carry it to our next meeting in two weeks to see if I got everything correct. Laying the track so it can connect with the next module can sometimes be a little tricky."
"You really built that? It's beautiful." The boy gazed at the miniature scene in awe. Steve had all but finished it, the exception being the background buildings he had left George holding until he decided that he was ready to take them. The uncertainty would serve as a mild reprimand to George for being unkind to Danny.
"Yes, son, I have a lot of time invested in that module."
"How can you run a train on it when there's just those three pieces of track that don't go nowhere?"
"As I said, when I finish it I will take it to our club meetings and connect it with the modules other guys have made, then we have plenty of track for running trains."
"I wish I could see that."
Steve's smile was broad as he ruffled Danny's now uncombed hair. "If I finish this module, we'll take it to the meeting in two weeks, then you can see how this module fits with the others and see some trains run." He reached over and, taking Danny's chin gently in his hand, looked into his eyes. "Will you promise me one thing, Danny?"
"What?"
"I know that you are fascinated by my module, but please promise me that you won't touch this or my other module. I have put a lot of work into making them look as realistic as possible and the least thing would mean hours of extra work for me."
"I promise, Steve." He looked disappointed that he wouldn't be getting to see a train run since Steve didn't have sufficient modules. Steve knew his feelings for, as a child, he had the same ones whenever someone said, 'You can look, but don't touch.' He hugged Danny. "If it's something I think that you can do, I'll let you help me finish building this module and maybe we can get you a train all your own later on."
"Thanks, Steve. I'd rather learn how to build a module that'll connect with yours. A train set like I saw would just run in a circle on the floor." He looked at Steve reflectively. "But all the real train tracks I've seen have been just one with maybe a switch track. If you want this to look real, why do you have three tracks?"
"The front two are what are called main-lines; one for east bound traffic, and the other for west bound trains. The third track in back is for whatever use I want to make of it."
"I wish there were modules for just one track."
"Steve smiled. "There are, and I agree that they look more realistic, but for clubs they're just not as popular as modules like mine because we can run more trains at once. We can look up the specifications on the net and you can build one of those to see how you like it. One of the guys built an adapter module so single track modules could be run with the other trains. I can ask him to help get you started right. They aren't as deep as mine. They are only twelve or eighteen inches by four or six feet."
Danny hugged Steve once more. "Thanks so much. I wish my dad was like you, you're nice to me and a lot of fun."
Steve returned the hug, unbelieving that Danny had so quickly bonded with him. "I like you a lot, too, punkin'. It's about time for you to be in bed. Let's go." With a bit of worry, He lay the sleepy Danny on his bed and went to get ready himself. When Steve started to get in bed, he saw Moose curled around Danny's head on the pillow. In his way, Moose was sending him a message that Danny was most acceptable.
The next morning, he worried about what to do with Danny while he was at work. He couldn't take him to the office, but he was hesitant about leaving a stranger in his flat all day. When he broached the subject, Danny assured him that he spent most of his time alone and he could make a sandwich for his lunch.
"If you don't mind, I'd really like to stay here and look at all your Model Railroad magazines, so I can learn how you make those modules so realistic."
"My phone number at work is on my desk if anything happens or something. I'll be home a little early, I hope."
Steve showed Danny where he kept his back issues of Model Railroader magazine and where to find things to make sandwiches for his lunch. He gave Danny a key to the apartment door and left.
For the rest of the week Steve watched Danny. Unless the boy was reading or helping him at some task, he moped around, his shoulders hunched up as if he carried the weight of the world on them.
Yet Danny appeared to relax and sleep peacefully if Steve tucked him in, giving him a good night kiss on the forehead. While Steve readied himself for bed, he looked down at the sleeping Danny, thinking: 'The poor little tyke needs love and security and he appears to want to stay with me, but hell, I can't keep a kid. It's insane. Besides, I could get into all sorts of trouble. I can't afford to send him to that school, and what if he needs a doctor? But, most of the time he acts happy only when I happen to give him something he hasn't expected.'
Steve slide in beside Danny and tried to sleep, but he tossed and turned quite a bit, arguing with himself. 'I know well there is no way I could return this adorable little guy to the streets and he doesn't want to go home, so maybe I better find out what sort of home he has run away from.' Exhausted, but comforted by Danny cuddling up against him he finally slept.
The next morning he sat watching the boy happily working his way through a stack of pancakes covered with butter and syrup, while he sipped at his coffee and wondered what to do. Steve knew from the stories he had read on Nifty that he'd definitely need something giving him guardianship of Danny in order for the child to continue school, or if he needed medical attention. But no way could he afford a lawyer if he was to have any money at all for the child's needs.
Suddenly it dawned – Ricky! Ricky, a student in his final year of law school, clerked part-time for a respected firm on the floor above the one on which the firm Steve worked for was located. Being the only two approximately the same age, they had begun having coffee together during the morning break. Steve soon discovered that Rick enjoyed model railroading as much as he. From then on, their friendship was solid. Still living with his parents, Rick had access to his father's woodworking shop and power tools that Steve had no room for, so Steve helped Rick build his first N-scale module. In return, Rick cut the lumber Steve needed for his module as he also cut the lumber for his own module. 'Yes,' Steve thought, 'I can ask him during our coffee break.'
Once they had coffee in hand at break, Steve told Rick what had happened and asked what he should do. "No problem, man. Give me a few days so I can find a time when the partners aren't loading me down with research and I'll look up what you need to know."
"I really appreciate this, Rick. I know I won't likely need anything, but as you lawyers are fond of saying, 'cover your ass.'"
Rick grinned. "Especially where a kid is involved. Get caught at anything and they'll hang your ass out to dry for sure." He stood, patted Steve on the back. "Gotta run, buddy. See you on Monday."
The kitchen was spotless as was the rest of the flat when Steve arrived home. He stood in the entryway and looking around in amazement. "Did you do all this?" He asked Danny when the boy came out of the bedroom, a railroad magazine in hand.
The boy hung his head. "I'm sorry, I washed the dishes and once I was started, I just kept going with the cleaning. I didn't mean to make you mad."
He flinched when Steve reached toward him. "I'm not mad, son, I just can't believe you did all of this." He hugged the boy close. "Thank you so much, Danny. I was going to clean this weekend, but now we can do something nice together."
Turning the boy loose, Steve said, "Have you had a shower yet?"
Danny nodded. "I was getting dressed when you came in."
"What would you like for dinner? We'll go out."
"Can we have some Italian? I love manicotti."
"A great idea. It's been a while since I have had any. I know a little 'hole in the wall' place that has great manicotti. You can have a choice of cheese or meat filled."
At dinner, Danny barely slowed his eating enough to make conversation with Steve, but at last he patted his stomach in satisfaction.
"You liked that?"
"It was great, like you said, Sir. Thank you for bringing me here."
Steve's smile brightened his face. "Consider this your reward for being so kind as to clean the flat. What would you like to do tomorrow?"
Danny looked at him questioningly. "Do you know of any train layouts I could see?"
"Let me think, and while I'm doing that, we'll go to the ice cream parlor for desert. Okay?"
"Oh, yes, Sir!"
The next morning, Steve drove to the old Norfolk and Southern passenger depot.
"We're not taking the train anywhere, are we?" Danny asked.
Steve smiled. "No passenger trains along here, unfortunately. I'd love to take a train when I travel, but the few passenger trains left don't generally go to the places I need to go. This is a railway museum now and there's something I think you'll really like."
"What?"
"I'm not telling. Come along and find out."
After they had looked at the artifacts displayed in cases, Steve led Danny into a room and they settled into comfortable chairs. Steve picked up a remote control and activated the DVD on the history of transportation into the city. A large portion showed a reenactment of the digging of the twenty-two mile long Dismal Swamp canal. Danny perked up when the story shifted to the construction of the Norfolk and Southern railroad.
"That was interesting," Danny told Steve as they got up.
"Now you'll see something really interesting." They walked down the second floor hallway, stopping at the door at the end. "Go for it, son."
Danny stepped into the room, his mouth dropping open, for in front of him was an expansive highly detailed HO gauge layout. "Go push some of the buttons, " Steve said.
Danny stood fascinated watching the trains trundle along the track, the animated figures at their various jobs. Even the scale automobiles moved along the streets and country roads."
When things suddenly stopped, cut off by an automatic timer, Danny pushed buttons again, this time listening to the recorded narrative and watching as lights picked out the item being discussed.
"That was wonderful, Steve. Thank you so much for bringing me here. I didn't even know about it." His eyes still sparkled with excitement.
"You're most welcome, Danny. I'm glad you enjoyed it so much. The club I belong to built that layout."
"You mean you actually built that?"
Steve grinned. "Not alone. It was a club project, but that's what really got me interested in building my modules since I don't have room for a full layout. Someday I hope to have a place where I can build what I want."
Danny looked at him tearfully. "I ... I wish I could help you, but I know I can't be staying with you much longer. I ... well, I just don't want to go home 'cause I'll get more beatings."
Steve knelt in front of the boy. "Son, if anybody tries to beat you again, you come to me and I'll see what I can do to help."
"Just don't call the welfare people. They'll take me away and I've heard bad things about where they put kids who don't have a home."
"Don't worry your head about that. I've got a few things I can do legally. Now, let's go get some ice cream."
Rick met Steve the following Friday morning for coffee. "I fixed up some papers I'll give to you when we go back up, if you'll come by my office. When you need to, if you can get the kid's old man's signature on them that's all you'll need. It's a simple transfer of custody."
True to his word, Ricky met Steve at the door to the law firm's reception room and handed him a folder of legal documents. "Three copies. Get all three signed and leave one with his old man, you keep the rest, okay? You should have them notarized for your protection."
"Thanks, Rick. You don’t know how much this means."
Rick grinned. "Maybe not to you, but I can sure understand what it will mean to the little guy if what you said about his being beaten was true."
By the middle of the week before the Academy would open for the new school year, Danny had created such a place in Steve's heart that the thought of not having Danny around was more than he could bear. Told that they would have to see his father the next afternoon, Danny cringed. "Please, Steve, I don't wanna go home. He'll hurt me again."
"I promise he won't hurt you. But you have to go to school and if he won't let you, then you can live with Moose and me. I'm hoping the school will let me pay so much each month. That's the only way I can afford the tuition, but you're too smart for the public schools here. Besides, he has to sign these papers Rick fixed for us."
"I guess it's okay, if we gotta …"
The next afternoon Steve drove Danny to his home. He had wondered what the key Danny wore on a leather thong about his neck was for. Danny pulled the thong over his head and inserted the key into the lock on the door of an upscale apartment house. With him pulling at Steve's hand, he followed him into the lift which stopped on the fourth floor.
"I hope the old man ain't mean drunk," Danny said as he used the key to open the door to a flat.
Steve leaned against the door frame in shock, not expecting the filth and trash filled room in such a building.
"Dat you, Danny? Where you been? 'Bout time you come home you little shit. Look at dis mess. Get your scrawny ass in here and start cleaning afore I take the hide off you again."
A haggard man, reeking with fumes of cheap whiskey, lurched unsteadily into the room. He reached for Danny, but Steve pulled Danny back and grabbed the man's arm.
"You have no right to treat a child in any such manner."
"My brat. Treat 'im any way I wanna. Hell, he's just a pain in the ass always wantin' this and that. He don't deserve none of it. The old man don't give me much money; can't hardly make ends meet now and the kid's a cost I don't need. I wish he was gone fer good."
With a sardonic smile, Steve told him, "Your wish is about to come true. Sign these papers and you'll never need to see Danny again."
"Need a drink."
Steve held out a fifty-dollar bill he kept in his billfold for emergencies . "Sign and then buy all you need with this." Steve looked down at Danny. "Son, do you know anybody who might be home? We need a witness."
"Unh, huh, the lady next door is real nice."
"Go see if she will come over for a minute and we need someone else, too."
"Danny said you needed a witness for something," an attractive middle aged lady said.
"Thank you for coming. Danny's father is signing custody of him over to me. I thought I'd best have witnesses. We need a notary, too, but it's obvious Danny's father is in no condition to go out."
"My friend is one. She should be home, it will take only a moment."
She returned with her friend at the same time as Danny returned with a young man, obviously a college student, in tow.
Within thirty seconds it was all signed and over. "God bless you for taking that dear child away from such a dreadful environment and giving him a chance," the neighbor lady said to Steve.
"Perhaps you can tell me one thing. How can such a person as his father live in a building as nice as this?"
"I only know what I was told when we petitioned to have him evicted, but it appears that his father owns the building. His flat was part payment for his working in the family business, but he was so worthless, his father threw him out, gives him a small allowance each month to exist on, and lets him stay here. Lord knows, all of us living in the building wish he would get drunk enough to accidentally fall off his balcony. Of course with free rent, his moving to another place isn't likely to happen."
"But surely his grandfather must care something about Danny."
"Probably doesn't even know the boy exists. They say that after his wife died, he turned into a recluse and cares only about making his business empire grow."
It took only a few days for Danny to fully ingratiate himself into Steve's home and heart. Moose positively adored him, never missing an opportunity to curl up in his lap for Danny to stroke his fur, at which Moose purred loudly. Steve was a bit miffed when Moose began to treat him as simply the source of food and a clean litter box, though Danny soon took over that chore and received all of Moose's attention and affection.
Notified by his landlord that a three bedroom flat one floor up from his, would be available at the end of the week, Steve, with the help of Rick and Danny organized the move. By the end of the day they were all exhausted, but Danny now had a room of his own, Steve his study and, to Danny's delight, the third bedroom became a room for the trains.
Having decided that George had sweated long enough, Steve had Danny dress in his best casual clothes, as did he, then they walked, hand in hand, to the hobby shop.
"I'm glad to see you, Steve. You gonna take the stuff I ordered for you and come to the meetin' Friday night?" George asks, paying no attention at all to Danny who is happily running the trains on the store layout.
Steve jerked his head in Danny's direction. "Not afraid that kid'll break something, George?"
George shook his head. "Not a kid dressed like that. You can tell he knows how to be careful."
"Really? Doesn't he look familiar to you?"
"Haven't seen him before. He come in with you?"
"Danny," Steve called.
He shut down the trains and walked over to Steve. "What, dad?"
"Oh, shit!" George moaned. "That ain't the kid from before?"
"It is, and he's now my foster son. I’ve started preparations to adopt him, so I expect you to treat him with the kindness you should have shown him before."
"I … I'm sorry, Steve."
"Don't apologize to me; apologize to Danny."
George held out his hand. "I'm sorry, son. I guess I shouldn't jump to conclusions about people just from the way they dress."
Danny shook George's hand. "It's okay. Dad was the only one didn't turn away just because I was dirty and smelled bad." Danny's smile lighted up the room. "I love my new dad more than anything."
George nodded. "You got a good one, Danny."
Danny looked at Steve. "You ready to take that stuff for your trains now?"
Steve could't resist a smile. "I think so. You have it ready, George?"
George handed him a shopping bag made of heavy paper. "Here you go, Steve. Everything you ordered should be in here, and I put in a copy of the newest N-scale catalogue as well. It has some things you might want to consider."
While Steve laid out the items he'd purchased, Danny came over to look at them. Steve was particularly pleased to see that the low-relief shopping mall would fit perfectly in the space he'd left for it.
"Isn't any of it put together?" Danny asked.
"No, son. These are kits. I can assemble in several different ways." Steve held up the front panel of the strip mall. "I can make different variations from this kit, but I'm going to put it together like they designed it, because it fits the space I left for it perfectly."
Danny picked up a narrow end piece and holded it next to the front panel. "They cheated you, dad. No store is this thin and there's no back either, 'cept that flat piece."
"That's why it's called low-relief. It's made to be part of a backdrop for the module, so it has to be this thin. You'll see when I have it put together and put against the backdrop."
"Oh."
Over the next couple of nights Steve assembled the kit, Danny watching closely. Steve let him hold a few pieces as he applied the glue to the joints. Seeing his joy, Steve decided to buy him a Woodland Scenics basic landscape learning kit to assemble. If he did well, the finished diorama could easily be incorporated into a new module.
When the strip mall kit was finished, Steve carefully placed it in the space left for it. It was a perfect fit, but, to Steve, it just didn't look right with the rest of the module. He pulled out an old style factory building and tried it instead. The base needed a minhor bit of adjustment before it, too, fit perfectly. Steve was pleased with the overall appearance of the module now.
Danny, however, was critical. "The end wall just against the background looks funny. Why don't you find something to make the wall and the background sort of come together?"
As Steve looked at it from Danny's angle of vision, he could see what Danny meant. "Thanks for seeing that, son. I wouldn't have noticed from where I was seeing it. Have any ideas?"
"If it's supposed to be kind of old, so aren't you going to make the walls not look so shiny and kinda dirty?"
Steve had to think a moment before he realized that Danny was asking if he was going to 'weather' the kit. "That's a good idea. A factory this old would be shabby looking. What did you have in mind?"
"Well, I thought maybe you could have some vines or something growing up the side and right next to the background to hide where they meet and make it look more realistic."
"That won't be much work and it will look better and add a lot to the realism. You can see how I do it, too." Steve put the factory on his worktable and opened his weathering chalks. After an hour or so, he was happy with the result and sprayed the kit with a flat medium to keep the chalks from rubbing off.
"Okay, son, let's let this dry overnight and tomorrow we'll put it back on the module and plant some vines to make it look better."
When Steve had finished the module completely, reworking a few spots with Danny's help and suggestions, he was delighted to see the best and most realistic looking module he had ever constructed. He grabbed Danny in a hug.
"It wouldn't have looked this great if it hadn't been for your suggestions, son. I know the guys at the club tomorrow night will love it and you, too."
Months passed. Steve let Danny do ever increasing amounts of work on the new module he was building when he had time and Danny had little homework. As he was checking over some of the paper work for Danny's school, Steve noted that Danny's birthday was only a week off.
"What would you like for your birthday, son?" He asked as they worked on the new module which would take the, as yet, unused strip mall.
"If you want to get me something, I'd like a Dremel tool more than anything. It will be a big help in working on modules with all the attachments it has." He looked at Steve and grinned. "If I get it, I'll even let you use it."
"Smart-ass," Steve replied, swatting Danny on the behind.
Danny was thrilled when he opened the large gift-wrapped box sitting on the table at his place when he left his studies to eat the birthday dinner he had asked for and which Steve had prepared. He took one look at the tool and accessories and hugged Steve tightly. "Thanks so much, dad. I already know a couple of things I want to try with it. I think you'll enjoy using it, too."
Danny always eagerly awaited the delivery of the newest issues of Model Railroader and Nscale magazines. One evening he was reading the latest issue when he saw a small ad. "Dad, may I use your computer to look up something?"
Steve nodded, thinking, 'I'll have to get Danny a computer of his own, maybe for Christmas.' A few moments later Danny called out, "Dad, come look at this."
Together they watched a brief video of an N-scale machine loading a flat car with scale cast iron pipe. "I wish you were still working on a module so maybe we could have this on it, so the train cars could load and unload stuff like real trains."
"What don't you do that one, son? It would work well as a single track with a spur going into the building for loading. Like you say, this would be nice and different and I doubt if any of the other guys have this yet. That building is a kit, so it's no problem to put together and we have several types to choose from." Steve reaches down and pats Danny on the back. "In fact, I think you've learned enough to do a good job on it since you've been doing such a nice job on that little module you're working on now."
Danny jumped up and hugged Steve. "I promise, I'll work slow and not mess it up."
"I think it will just fit on a module and make a nice little industrial scene. I'll show you how to put a switch in the main track. If you'll move over, son, I'll order these now. The price here is quite a bit cheaper than George's shop will be."
In less than a week the order arrived. With Steve's guidance, Danny worked diligently at putting the building kit together and installing the loader. Once Steve had set it in place on the incomplete module, he said, "Looks as good as if I'd built it, Danny. I'm proud of you. Go ahead and finish up this module. I'll guide you if you need it."
"Really!" Danny hugged Steve. "Thanks, dad. I just wish we could see it work."
"We can do that now. I'll drill the front of the fascia for the switch and wire it, then we can try it out."
Steve took a few minutes to drill the hole, mount the switch, and wire it to the loader and a set of wires for power. He mounted a small transformer under the module and wired it to the switch. Opening a wooden box he had taken from under the workbench, he took out a diesel locomotive and set it on the track, coupling it to the flat car supplied with the loader. Danny placed the pipe load on the loading machine as Steve connected and switched on the power supply for the train and advanced the rheostat until the engine began to move the flat car slowly into the building next to the loader. When he stopped the engine, it uncoupled from the flat car and Steve moved it forward a short distance.
"Push the button, Danny."
Looking through the opening for the track, they could see the loader slowly push the load of pipe onto the car, then shut off. Steve backed the engine up until it coupled with the flat car, then moved it forward, stopping near the end of the track.
Danny hugged him tightly. "That's awesome, dad. The instructions show how to make it unload, too. Maybe sometime we can build a place on another module for the pipe to be unloaded. Thanks for letting me do this with just your showing me things when I'm not sure."
Steve smiled down at the excited boy. "I expect you'll be doing a lot more work to finish this module up. Do your best job so we can really show the other guys how it can be done. Some of them are real experts, but what you've done is something to be proud of; I'm proud of you, son." Steve said, hugging Danny in return.
Danny spent nearly six months working on the module in such spare time as his classes at the academically superior Westwood Academy and a few other activities allowed, always reserving some bit of time each day to be with Steve.
Steve had worried when he learned the tuition rates of the Academy, but he remained determined to have Danny attend the fine school. His relief was complete when the headmaster called him to say that Danny had been awarded a full scholarship for so long as he chose to attend the school. The uniform of slacks, dress shirt, and blazer with the school tie and black loafers put no strain on Steve's budget, as he had received another promotion and rise in salary and benefits.
As he was reading one evening, Steve heard a sudden crunch of breaking plastic as Danny yelled, "Damn it to hell!"
Shocked, Steve got up and went to the workbench where a tearful Danny stood rubbing his right hand. Before him, the tiny building he was constructing lay in splintered pieces. "What happened, son?"
"That damn glue ran through the joint and messed up the front. Now I've got to get another kit and start over."
Steve put his arm around Danny's shoulders and hugged him close. "I know you're disappointed after all the time you spent getting it just right, but it happens to all of us, son. I've had my share of screw-ups and still do. I'll forgive your language this time, but try not to swear, okay?"
Steve picked up the bottle of glue Danny had been using. "There's a much better glue for plastic than this, son, and it won't run and ruin a joint like this has. We'll get some the next time we go by George's shop."
Danny hugged Steve back. "Thanks for your help and not getting bent out of shape. You're the best dad a guy could have."
"No problem, son. You know I love you. I'll be glad to help you any time you think you need me."
With the new kit in hand, Danny spent most of his scant spare time slowly and cautiously bringing the completed structure into being and placed it on his module. The work was completed, Steve marveled at the realistic appearance of the miniature scene.
Danny's module was the only one they took to the next meeting of the club. The members of the club who, with the exception of Steve, had refused Danny membership because of his youth, began to congratulate Steve, saying that this was his best effort yet. Even one of the most critical members dropped a few words of praise over the elegant landscaping.
Steve took great satisfaction in informing them that Danny had done all of the work on the module. Within five minutes the module was connected with the others and Danny was given the honor of running the first train.
Occasionally, when Danny passed close by him, Steve would reach out and swat Danny on his backside. Danny always grinned and yelled quietly, "Child abuse, child abuse." It was all in fun for both of them, as Danny rarely needed correction which Steve always delivered in a soft kind voice. Never-the-less, at such times Danny was always reduced to tears, hugging Steve and crying, "I'm so sorry, dad. I won't do it again."
Time seemed to fly by for both Danny and Steve. Virtually all of their holidays and activities were taken together. So it was that Steve received a shock when Danny informed him that he would be graduating from the Academy on Friday afternoon two weeks hence.
Digital camera at the ready over the earlier protests of Danny, Steve waited intently for Danny’s name to be called. At last - Daniel W. Harmon, magna cum laude. Steve crouched by the apron of the stage and grabbed several shots of Danny receiving his diploma from the principal of the prestigious private academy. His heart nearly burst with pride as he resumed his seat and looked at the pictures he'd just taken.
At the conclusion of the recessional, he located Danny standing in an uncrowded corner of the auditorium's lobby. Tightly hugging the strapping lad, he said, "Oh, Danny, I'm so proud of you I could bust the buttons off my shirt."
"It's all because of you, dad. You cared when nobody else did. I love you so much." Danny pulled back a bit with a mischievous smile. "Arby's and the ice cream shop?" He always asked this whenever Steve wanted to reward him for some achievement.
Steve grinned broadly, but his answer was delayed when a middle-aged man in a chauffeur's uniform stepped up to them and said to Danny, "Master Worthington, your grandfather wishes a word with you. If you will come with me, he is waiting in the limousine."
"You are mistaken. My name is Harmon and I have no grandfather," Danny snapped back.
"Whatever, sir, but he specifically pointed you out to me and demanded that I bring you to talk with him. Please, young man, I need my job and he'll fire me if you don't come."
"Go ahead, Danny, it won't hurt to see what he wants." Steve urged.
"If you'll come with me."
"Daniel, my boy, you have certainly grown to be a handsome young man. And who is this with you?" The elderly man asked.
"My father, Steve Harmon. Who are you?"
"I'm your grandfather Daniel Harrison Worthington the third."
"If you're my grandfather, how come I've never seen you before and why you didn't do something about the sperm donor who used to call himself my father when he was beating me for nothing?"
Steve was ready to admonish Danny for his rudeness, but the old man shook his head sadly. "I tried. Lord knows I gave him the best possible education and a responsible position with Worthington Industries, but he did nothing constructive. In fact, he hindered operations of every division I placed him in. For the sake of the company, I had to relieve him of any responsibility. He also left the sanitariums for alcoholics I placed him in without once completing the course of rehabilitation.
"Son, I was completely unaware of your existence until one of the tenants complained about your father and I had an investigation done. By then you had run away and Mr. Harmon had given you a home. I kept track of your every moment, but seeing that you were happy and excelling in the finest school in the state, I saw no reason to disturb a settled situation. Be assured that I have followed your life closely. I am pleased that you have graduated from Westwood Academy with highest honors."
"Why should I care what pleases you. You have contributed nothing to my life nor what Dad has expended to raise me."
"Danny, enough!" Steve said sternly. "You know better than to be disrespectful to your elders." Steve looked at Mr. Worthington. "I apologize, sir. I have tried to teach Danny good manners."
The old man nodded. "I'm very certain of that. Daniel, you were told that you would receive a full scholarship to Westwood Academy each year of your attendance. I paid for your education, for with their tuition rates, I knew that it would put a severe strain on Mr. Harmon financially to meet your expenses. I want to assure you that I will also cover all of your expenses for college, no matter where you wish to go."
"That is most generous of you, sir. I want Danny to have an education, but the costs are more than I can possibly cover alone. Thank you."
"I apologize, grandfather, and I thank you, too, for what you have done for me, but dad has given me one thing neither you nor my sperm donor have, and that's love. Dad took a dirty, hungry, unloved little boy, cleaned him up, fed him, and gave him the things a kid wants, including all the love I could handle. Dad and I appreciate what you have contributed to my expenses for education, but why have you made yourself known to us now?"
"Sir, your medication." The chauffeur interrupted, opening a small vial and shaking a pill into the old man's hand, then handing him a glass of water from the tiny refrigerator in the limousine.
Turning to Steve, the chauffeur said, "Sir, Mr. Worthington is not well. If you would be so kind as to come by the house tomorrow at ten, I believe he will be able to answer all your questions then."
"Okay, Danny?" Steve asked.
"I guess."
"Very good, sir. Until ten tomorrow morning."
After the limousine was nearly out of sight, Steve looked at Danny and smiled. "Let's go buddy. I think you said something about Arby's and then the iceceam parlor."
At five of ten the next morning they were passing through the gates that opened electrically after Steve had identified himself via the intercom. He stopped on the circular drive in front of the main door of the mansion. One of the pair of carved doors opened as Danny and Steve got out of the car. It was the chauffeur of yesterday, but now dressed as a butler.
"Good morning, gentlemen," he said by way of greeting. "Mr. Worthington awaits you in the study. This way, please."
He led them down a wide hall, the floor covered with a gorgeous antique Persian runner, and knocked lightly, then opened a door. Danny and Steve enter what had to be a study beyond Steve's wildest dreams. Mr. Worthington was seated in a large leather chair behind a huge carved desk.
He nodded in greeting, and as soon as Danny and Steve were seated, began without preamble. "Daniel, I regret never having gotten to know or spend any time with you," he held up his thin quivering hand as Danny started to speak, "but fortune smiled upon you by bringing you into the custody of Mr. Harmon. Now, I fear, it has become too late for me to come to know you or spend any time with you, had you the inclination to allow me do so. My physicians have informed me that I may leave this world at any time.
"With that in mind, Daniel, I have made arrangements for all that I own or command to be placed in your hands to be administered by Mr. Harmon until you have finished your higher education. I hope that you will study business and/or law to equip yourself for the duties you will be given."
Worthington beckoned to Steve, so he stood and walked over to the desk. He handed Steve a business card. "This man is my personal attorney, entirely separate from those Worthington Industries employs. On my passing, he will contact you on behalf of Daniel. Needless to say, I have had you thoroughly investigated, Mr. Harmon, and I am confident beyond all doubt that you will do everything in your power to protect and benefit Daniel."
"You may be certain of that, sir. Danny is the most important thing in my life."
For a moment the old man almost smiled. "Your love for each other is virtually palpable." Then in an almost inaudible murmur, he added, "How I wish I shared in that."
Steve was almost moved to tears by the old man's loneliness. Even had he needed convincing that wealth does not buy everything, this moment drove the point home sharply.
Apparently the pathos of the moment touched Danny as well, for he said, "Grandfather, I will be happy to come visit and talk with you any time you feel strong enough. I don't have a car, but I know dad will let me use his."
Steve saw a tear trickle down the lined cheek. "Oh, son, I would like that so much." He reached out and Danny gently hugged the old man.
"Lunch is served, sir." The butler announced.
"Please join me," Danny's grandfather asked Danny and Steve as the butler helped him rise slowly from the huge chair. "Roberts will show you where you may wash your hands."
A few moments later, Danny and Steve were seated in what had to be the family dining room at one time. The table was round and intimate. Roberts placed a beautifully arranged salad plate with chilled shrimp before each of them and asked their preference in beverages.
"I must apologize for such a lunch, but my diet is restricted and salads are pleasant when one is denied heavier foods," Mr. Worthington said.
"Not at all. A cold salad plate is just right in weather as warm as this," Steve replied.
Dessert looked to be a boiled custard for Mr. Worthington, crème brulée for Steve, who the butler had decided would appreciate it, and a monstrous creation of ice cream and toppings he knew would appeal to a youngster of Danny's age.
Mr. Worthington chuckled in delight as Danny demolished the concoction with obvious pleasure. At last he sighed, "There was a time when I would have matched you spoonful for spoonful, Daniel, and loved every mouthful. Watching you brought back some happy memories." He held up a hand and Roberts was by him instantly.
"Sir?"
"I think I should rest now." He looked at Danny. "Please come back to see me, son. Roberts will let you know when I have a good day. Mr. Harmon, words fail to express my appreciation for your care and nurturing of Daniel, molding him into a young man I am pleased to acknowledge. Thank you, sir, from the bottom of my heart."
Roberts looked at us and said, "Gentlemen," by way of dismissal, nodding towards the front door as he helped Mr. Worthington into a small lift.
That evening Steve sat on the sofa next to Danny. "Son, have you seriously considered what college you would like to attend? I've let time slip by without giving your further education the thought I should have, because I knew it would be all but impossible for us financially. The educational insurance policy I took on you when you came to live with me permanently will only cover a couple of years, if that, because costs have risen so fast. But with your grandfather guaranteeing your education, money is no longer a consideration."
"I can get a solid foundation at the junior college here in town for my first two years and then transfer to a full four year institution once I've decided what I want to major in. The counselor at Westwood helped me make a decision and fill out the application. I'm already accepted."
"Are you certain this is what you want?"
Danny nodded. "Why waste money in a bigger school when I'm unsure of a major, besides, this way I'll still be living with you at home."
"I'm so glad, son. I was dreading having you leave, but that's because I'm selfish in my love for you."
Danny hugged Steve. "I know, dad."
At the end of his first year, with top grades, he said to Steve, "Dad, I've decided when I finish next year I want to transfer to the university. I'm planning to major in business administration and take a few law courses such as contractual law and advanced accounting as electives. What do you think?"
After a few moments thought, Steve smiled. "A very sound choice, son, particularly if your grandfather leaves you any position in his business, and I think he might since your blood father turned into a wastrel." His expression became serious. "I don't want to discourage you, son, but at that level of business you will be surrounded by sharks ever ready to eat you alive if given a chance. Learn well so that you can outfox them at their own game."
"But dad, …"
"I'm sorry to be so blunt, son, but that's the way it is in the real world. You've been diligent in visiting your grandfather, which pleases me, for his loneliness is pitiful. Ask him about the firm and the officers. I'm certain he will be delighted to have you show interest and he can tell you far more than I."
At the end of the graduation ceremonies from the junior college, Danny joined Steve in the lobby. Both were both shocked to see Roberts pushing the wheelchair holding Danny's grandfather toward them.
"Grandfather! I can't believe you came," Danny exclaimed. He leaned forward into the old man's outstretched arms for a gentle hug.
"How could I miss this milestone in your life, Daniel? I fear I won't be on this earth when you finish your studies at the university. It does my heart good to know that you will be attending the same school that I graduated from. But this day and time you will need a graduate degree as well. I trust you will consider a Masters, at least, and I wish you all success. Your financial security for that education is my graduation gift to you. There is a more tangible gift that I hope you will enjoy when you receive it." He tilted his head back. "Home, Roberts."
Steve and Danny took advantage of the holiday by sleeping in. Both had just gotten their cups of coffee when there was a knock at the kitchen door. Steve answered, "Yes?"
The man dressed in clean mechanic's coveralls handed him a large brown envelope, two sets of keys, and said, "Making a delivery to Mr. Daniel Harmon. It's in the driveway." He turned and walked toward a waiting truck.
"What is it, dad?"
"It's for you. Let's go see."
As they rounded the corner of the apartment, Danny stopped short, his mouth dropped open. Before them sat a dark blue BMW convertible roadster, the top down, a red bow attached to the steering wheel.
Danny finally walked over and pulled away the envelope attached to the ribbon. He opened it to find a graduation card. Scrawled in a quavering hand is: All college men need wheels, as I’m told automobiles are now called. I hope you will enjoy this one. Your loving grandfather.
Danny looked at Steve with tears in his eyes. "I can't believe he would give me a car like this since he's paying for all my education."
"What this cost amounts to pocket change for him, son. Not only should you write him a note of thanks, but you should go see him today if Roberts says he is up to a brief visit."
"Don't you think I should get a job for the summer?" Danny asked Steve a few evenings after graduation.
"Why? I'm not aware that need the money and with your tuition assured and your living at home for the first couple of years, my income is more than sufficient for your wants. You've worked hard and finished grade school with distinction. You should get some rest both physical and mental before entering college."
"If I had some kind of job, I could afford more model train stuff."
Steve shrugged. "Do you have a job in mind?"
Danny grinned. "Yeah. It's kind of ironic, but George wants me on Friday and Saturday, and for two whole weeks when he takes a vacation."
"Our George?" Steve asks in surprise.
"Yeah. I told you it's ironic."
Steve shook his head in disbelief. "First the thinks you're going to wreck the layout and maybe steal something, and now he trusts you enough to run his business. Hard to believe."
"Maybe so, but I also get a twenty percent employee's discount on most stuff I buy for myself."
"Go ahead if you want. Just give me a schedule of when you're working so I'll know how to fix meals and expect you home."
Once he became familiar with the way George handled sales and orders, Danny relaxed and proved a model employee. His ease with customers, freely offering advice when asked, quickly made him a favorite among the modeling community. In his free time, Danny worked secretly on a new module using the, as yet, unused strip mall. If everything worked as he hoped it would, he knew Steve would be thrilled and a surprise to the other club members.
Given a weekend off when George returned from his holiday, Danny and Steve went out Saturday evening for dinner. When they returned home, Danny asked Steve to wait until he was called to see something.
Danny entered the train room, set up his newest module and called Steve. After Steve had admired the fine work Danny had done, Danny asked Steve to switch out the lights. Suddenly in the dark, tiny lights begin to glow. Danny had taken the tiny cars and trucks and, using the Dremel tool, drilled out the headlights and tail lights, replacing them with fiber-optics lighted by LED's. He had also installed lights in the expected places in the buildings.
"Now watch," Danny cried excitedly.
Steve is astounded to see two of the tiny cars in the street in front of the strip mall begin to move along. At the end of the module, they turned right and disappeared through the doors of a parking garage. They reappeared at the other end of the module, emerging from the garage of a large house.
"My God, Danny, how did you do all this? It's spectacular!"
"I had some ideas and tried them out on that module base I haven't started working on yet."
How did you get lights in the cars? They're too tiny for any kind of bulb I know of to fit."
"George had some scrap pieces of fiber-optics he was throwing away, so he gave them to me to try out. It was simple. The optics are glued to the openings for the lights and the other end is glued to a LED in the body of each car to feed light through the optics. I knew how because we did a few things with fiber-optics in the physics lab at school."
"But the lights in the cars work even when they move. How?"
"I used tiny flat batteries like go in hearing aids. They don't last too long, but I can turn them on and off with a reed switch."
"Brilliant, son. I so proud of you I could bust, and the guys will go ape when you show them this at the meeting. A few have lights in buildings, but that's about all."
"Turn the lights back on, dad. There's a little bit more."
The module he had previously completed was a rural scene. Beside a sagging house in need of paint, a woman was hanging wash on a clothesline while a small child in a diaper was clinging to her skirt. As Steve watched, the woman slowly bent, then straightened up once more to hang the sheet she held.
Steve shook his head slowly. "You're too much. I can barely see the lines where you had to cut so she would bend, but how'd you make it work?"
"I had some time when there was no one in the shop, so I tried getting figures to work instead of being so static." Danny stopped the action when the woman was straight up and pointed to the far lower corner of the sheet she held. A barely visible wire extended up through the basket of clothes to the corner of the sheet. "That wire is connected to an old slow-motion switch machine you had in your junk box." He grinned. "Good thing we had plenty of those cheap unpainted figures, you wouldn't believe how many of them I broke trying to find the right places to cut, so they would bend."
Steve hugged Danny. "This is too good not to celebrate. Tomorrow night we'll have a special dinner before we go to the meeting."
"Lobster, maybe?" Danny asked with a pleading look.
"If that's what you want. We'll dress up a bit and go to the Steak and Seafood House, they have the best."
"A little expensive, too."
"So? It isn't like we do this very often. But with all this," Steve swept his arm around to include all the module, "I think you deserve something really special. But mostly because I love you, son."
The next evening both of them had broad smiles and drawn butter dripping onto their lobster bibs as they savored each bite. Steve lay down his fork for a moment. "I've got to ask. How the hell did you make those cars move? It's been bugging the hell out of me."
Danny grinned at Steve. "Trade secret. No, actually, dad, it's just something I tried. I'm not sure how well it will hold up. I cut a rectangular groove in the foam base about a half inch deep and as long as I wanted the street to be. I glued a narrow piece of flat styrene strip on each end of a piece plastic tube to make a pulley. When I had four of them, I put piece of rod inside the pulley and glued the rod in place. The flexible belt was the hardest to find.
"I went in a sewing shop figuring they would have some narrow tapes of some sort for sewing. I found just what I needed and bought a package. I put it around the pulleys to get the length then glued the ends together. That's where I glued a small magnet also."
"How did you get it to run?"
"I salvaged the motor from that old kitchen clock you threw away. I mounted it on an swivel base with a spring so it would keep the belt under tension." Danny smiled. "A little piece of steel under the car for the magnet to attract, and it actually worked. I was hoping it would, but I wasn't certain so I was a little surprised myself. Anyway, I added another magnet so two cars moved."
"There're a lot of guys in the club going to be so jealous they'll turn green. They put you down when we first tried to make you a member, saying you had to be older. Now you're going to get your revenge."
"Not yet. I want to put in a second belt so I can have cars going in both directions."
"It's a shame to mess up what you've gotten fixed up."
"No problem. All I'll have to do is lift the styrene strip I made look like
pavement and add the parts and another motor."
"I'll see if I have one stashed away in a box of junk in the storage
cubicle."
"Great! Thanks for a super good dinner, dad. I'm ready to go if you are."
To be continued...
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Posted: 10/19/07