"Thank you, I think." Michelle was somewhat weary from the weeks... months of preparation. She gazed up at her husband. "Maybe next year the women can volunteer someone else to be in charge."
"Not a chance." Chief McConnike's voice came from behind her enthusiastically. He dropped a hand on her shoulder. "You just do it too well."
"Actually, you would find it less time consuming if you would just implement some order into the planning sessions." It was Craig Brice's less than appreciated comment. "It's been my experience when organizing such events..."
"Excuse me. I hope I'm needed elsewhere," the Chief interrupted and made a hasty retreat leaving only Mike and Michelle to listen to the remainder of Brice's dissertation.
"Maybe you'd like to be the picnic's chairperson next year." Bart Hochrader to the rescue.
"Impossible. It clearly states that the women's auxiliary is responsible for such events," Brice said smugly. "Besides, I certainly could not have anything interfere with my performance as a paramedic," he added.
Captain Hochrader rolled his eyes for the Stokers' benefit. "Of course not. Can't let anything get in the way of perfection." He, too, was about the retreat from the annoying scene. Instead, a broad grin spread across his face. "Matt!" he said as he watched his younger brother's approach. Bart greeted him with a bear hug and resounding kiss on the cheek. Matt Hochrader returned the greeting with equal enthusiasm.
Strangely, as the two brothers made their way to the center of the grounds Craig Brice was unusually quiet. He shuddered briefly then much to Mike and Michelle's dismay continued where he had left off.
Brice was just explaining his theories for creating the perfect committee when Mike's brother Tim arrived with his wife Fran. Craig pretended not to watch the kiss that went between the Stoker brothers, then how they stood talking to each other Mike's arm draped across Tim's shoulders.
Finally, he spoke to Mike, "Stoker, may I speak with you?" Then he added, "Privately."
Mike sighed.
"Take him to the coordinator's tent," Michelle offered. She knew she would not be using it for a while.
Mike was really in no mood to have the impending discussion but he silently agreed and told Tim he would be back shortly... VERY shortly.
In the small tent Mike leaned against the folding table which acted as his wife's makeshift desk and watched Craig pace. "What is it, Brice? You think we should incorporate Robert's Rules of Order into the picnic... or maybe the booths aren't exactly the same number of inches apart." He figured with Brice it had to be something earth-shattering like that.
Brice stopped. "Okay, I deserve that. But I really have something on my mind I want to talk about."
Mike folded his arms. "But why me? Jim's here." (Jim was Craig's older brother.)
Brice absently played with the vinyl table top. "It's Jim I want to talk about. And, well, you don't seem to resent me as much as everyone else."
'That's what you think,' Mike thought to himself. But he said, "Go ahead, I'm listening."
Craig wasn't quite sure how to begin. "You see, Jim has always been better at everything than me. In school if I made honor roll he made high honor roll... get it?"
Mike shook his head. "No."
Craig continued. "He's this well-known lawyer. Handles all those important cases. Stuff that gets press coverage..."
So that was why Brice was a publicity hound. Trying to be as good as Jim.
"I mean he's this big shot lawyer and here I am just a lowly paramedic." There was a pause. "I just want him to be proud of me."
"How do you know he isn't?" Mike asked matter-of-factly.
"He's never told me."
"He's HERE," Mike pointed out to him. "In fact he comes to every one of these things. And he performed in the talent show. That says something. Unless, of course, he just like to hang out at picnics."
"But he doesn't greet me like..." His voice trailed off.
Mike looked puzzled. "Like what?"
"You know." Craig made a vague gesture with his hand.
Mike stared at him a moment. "Like me and Tim?"
Craig nodded almost imperceptibly. "Yeah. I guess. Man, Stoker, even the Hochraders... I mean... Captain Hochrader, old iron pants... Never mind."
"You know what I think," Mike finally said. "I think Jim may be thinking that you aren't proud of him. He may be feeling the exact same things you are."
"You really think?"
"That's what I think." Mike stood straight. "You know what else I think. If you want to change the relationship you just might have to make the first move here. Otherwise, you'll both sit around waiting on the other and then nothing will change. You'll both continue thinking the other isn't proud or doesn't care... or whatever."
Brice eyed Mike thoughtfully. "Won't it be strange..."
Mike dropped a hand on his shoulder. "Just go up to him and tell him you appreciate him coming out here."
"That simple, huh?"
"That simple," Mike reassured. "The rest will come naturally."
"Thanks, Stoker... Mike."
"You're welcome."
Impulsively, Brice hugged him briefly. "Just practicing."
He exited the tent pushing past Michelle on his way out.
"Do I want to know what happened in here?" she asked.
"No, but I'll probably tell you anyway, only later." They left the tent to join the festivities. Mike glanced across the area to see Jim and Craig in a shaky embrace. He smiled to himself and went on the enjoy the day.
THE END