Aaron's Summer of '77 Ch. 13

couple. Rob is still living in that place of his in Courthouse Terrace. He's been talking about

moving up to Kingston though to study hospitality restaurant and hotel management at St.

Lawrence College. John lives up there now, so I guess they'll eventually move in together. He's

pretty happy. I think we're all pretty happy right now! How are things with you and Adam? I

really like him a lot, Aaron. He loves you, you know."

"I love him too, Calla! He's going to move up to Ottawa to be with me early in the New Year.

Dad really seems to like him and Mom, well... you know Mom. She's got him doing all kinds of

stuff for her around the house and he's just been so good to them both."

"By the way. I saw your Mom recently with that crazy hair and headband downtown a few days

ago. Like what in the world was she thinking, getting an Afro and dying her hair red? I barely

recognized her!"

"I stopped trying to figure Mom out a long time ago, Calla! Hah, hah, hah!"

"Now, if I could just find her a decent Christmas present..."

"Go and have a look in Smart's Pro Hardware. They have a new 'gift' section in there. I found a

couple of really funny gag gifts in there. Maybe you could get her something funny and if that

doesn't work, then go into Kami Hair Design and pick her up an Afro pic and some Afro-Sheen

hair spray for that wild-looking hair of hers! Hah, hah!"

"You're as mean as ever Calla. That's why we're such good friends! God, I've missed you!"

Smart's Pro Hardware has been a fixture on King Street West in Brockville for generations. Just

before the corner of King and John Street, it has a huge main floor and a basement with a toy and

• hobby shop that is packed with customers shopping for children's toys and gifts at Christmas.

Mr. Stewart, the franchise owner supplies all of the Christmas toys for the children of those who

work at most of the factories in the city. They do a huge business with selecting gifts based on

gender and age, then wrapping them and delivering them to each party for each company in

December. Mr. Stewarts' fat son will go and play Santa Claus for an additional fee. It's about the

only time of the year that he actually works at something other than being a spoiled and lazy

brat.

Down in the hobby shop and in the model car kit section, I see an AMT plastic car kit for a '63

Pontiac Bonneville. "Hmmm... I wonder if Adam would ever put something like that together?

He's always bragging about how good he is with his hands! Maybe I'll give them something else

to do other than grope and feel me up all the time! Hah, hah!"

Upstairs, on the main level at Smart's, and Calla was right. They have a little novelty gift section

and I see something that is labelled an 'electric organ' in a little plain white box on the shelf.

"Holy shit!" I exclaim when I open it up to find a tiny penis with a cord and plug attached to it!

The thing is all plastic and obviously not meant to actually plug into an outlet. I don't think it

does anything other than to elicit a look of shock from anyone opening the box and looking

inside. "Oh! I just have to get this for Mom! Dad will kill himself laughing when she tries to

plug it in to figure out what it does! Perfect!"

Back down King Street, heading home to Bethune and I know I still have to pick something nice

up for Mom. "Well... since Fullerton's is closing up and they have a big clearance sale on now,

no reason why I shouldn't go in and ask Adam to help me! I really don't have any idea what to

get her. There was nothing in Woolworth's and no way was I going to go into Lipson's

Department Store with John Weldon working in there in the stockroom. "That homophobic

bastard and his bullying cousin, Jimmy. Nope. Not gonna' go there. No way!"

"Back again, Mrs. Fullerton! I need to get something nice for my Mom for Christmas."

"Adam's in the back right now, Aaron. You'll probably want him to help you. I'll let him know

you're here."

"Hey baby!" he says quietly to me as he sneaks up behind me in the perfume and cosmetics

section of the store. Are ya' lookin' for some more Eau Sauvage to spray in my hairy crotch or

what can I help ya' with there?"

"Oh Jeez, Adam! No! Stop teasing me about that! Heh, heh. I have to get something for Mom for

Christmas and I haven't got a clue what to get for her."

"Hmmm... I know she was looking at those comb, brush and hand mirror dresser sets up at the

front of the store. Also, she wears that Dior perfume and is into dusting powders and stuff like

that. I'll sell ya' some of that Dior, if ya' promise me you won't tell her you douse yourself with

it between your legs like ya' do with my Dior Eau Sauvage, honey! Hah, hah, hah!"

• "All right, Mr. Comedian. You really should consider taking your act on the road! Now, are you

actually able to help me here with something constructive? I could really use your help!"

"Honestly, cookie... I think the Dior would be a good and safe choice. And maybe you should

stop into Evangeline's Dress Shop and pick her up a scarf or somethin' like that. If ya' run out

of ideas completely, you could always get her a crate of Tequila for those Tequila Sunrises she

seems to like. She's even got my Mom drinkin' them now! Hah, hah, hah!"

"Gee, thanks Mr. Helpful. I'll know who not to ask for suggestions in the future!"

"Ahhh, now, honey... seriously... you might wanna' go and get her some wool and a couple of

patterns down at Kitty's Wool Box. She's promised to make me an Aaron fisherman knit sweater

in the New Year and is starting to get into knitting again. Maybe that might a good gift for her.

Something to keep her busy and occupied."

"Now that's a good idea! Maybe that and something personal just for her. Get me some of that

Dior and I'll go and see Kitty down at the Wool Box."

"Jeez! What a guy to suggest I go and buy Mom some wool to make a sweater for him!" I say to

myself as I backtrack down King Street. "I'll go in and exchange the sweater I got for him for a

fisherman knit sweater at Craig's and then stop in to get his Mom and Bast a bottle of wine and

then get some nice wool for Mom to make something for 'herself'! Sheesh! What a guy! Heh,

heh!"

Every year, the Town Haus Restaurant is a Christmas kaleidoscope of colours, sounds and

scents. The Nutcracker soldiers standing to attention at the front door into the restaurant have

seen many Christmas's come and go over the decades. Inside is a veritable Bavarian wonderland

of German themed ornaments such as wooden, candle-powered carousels, exquisite painted

wood and delicate, antique glass tree ornaments, pinecone wreaths and one marvellous tree

beside the fireplace in the main dining room. The aromas of delicious food, holly and burning

wood logs enhance the entire sensory experience.

I know I have to look nice for my birthday. Adam, told me to be at his place for 5:00pm because

our reservations are for 7:30 to meet Calla and Charlie and Rob and John.

"You can change over here, cookie and we can head out from here. Does that work for ya'?"

"Do I get my birthday present before we go for dinner or after, Sasq?"

"Yes and yes, babe! Heh, heh!

There is one time of the year that Brockville is at its most festive and picturesque. And that time is Christmas. The six foot tall stuffed brown bear with the Santa Claus hat and jacket and bells around its neck is placed out in front of the 'Craig's Men's and Women's Wear Store' every year. One of the Craig men shot the bear and had it stuffed many, many years ago and it has been brought out to help shoppers celebrate the Holiday season every year since then. All the light standards along King Street are festooned with big candy cane and tinsel illuminated decorations. And the nativity scene crèche in front of the World War One War Memorial on Courthouse Square is always in place to remind people of the true meaning of Christmas, just before the Santa Claus parade. The snow that falls in December is mostly crisp and pure and covers the city with an innocent and fresh white mantel of seasonal joy and happiness.

"What the 'hell' am I going to buy for Adam for Christmas?" I say to myself, as I head down King Street and go through a mental list of possibilities. Having stopped in to Fullerton's to say hello to Mrs. Fullerton and wish her a very Happy Holiday, and after having checked Adam's hot, sexy butt out while he was waiting on a customer behind the pharmacy counter, the search is now on to find that perfect gift for him for Christmas!

"Hi, Joseph! I bet you've been busy in Craig's with Christmas coming up in a few weeks' time. I'm really just kind of looking right now. But, is there anything new that's come in that maybe I could have a look at for both my Dad and a friend of mine?"

"Well hello, Aaron! I guess you must be back in town now for the Holidays. I know your Dad was in here recently looking for a new winter overcoat. You may want to consider a scarf and gloves or even a new Fedora hat for him to go with the coat. He does like his hats! We've just received several new hats from Stetson's Hat Factory on Park Street in town here and I can show them to you, if you are interested."

"I like the suggestion about the scarf and gloves, Joseph. Maybe something like a silk and cashmere scarf and a pair of dress gloves. What colour was the coat that Dad bought?"

"Charcoal, Aaron. Perhaps something in navy and red with black leather gloves would work well with that."

"Perfect, Joseph. And for my friend, I was thinking maybe one of those Peter Scott virgin wool pullover sweaters. You know the ones, I'm talking about. I've bought a couple of them for myself."

"Yes, I remember, Aaron. Did you have a particular colour in mind? And a size?"

"Anything but orange, Joseph... maybe something either in navy or royal blue... something that he can wear with either blue jeans or something dressier. And a size large, please."

Leave it to me, Aaron. I'm sure we can find everything you're looking for!"

One of things I really miss about Brockville is the personal service and friendly staff in the stores and the restaurants. Fifteen minutes with Joseph and he has helped me to strike off at least two gifts from my list. Had I been back up in Ottawa shopping in The Bay on Rideau Street or in any of the shopping malls, I would have been lucky if a sales clerk had even bothered to come up to ask if they could help me.

"Hi Calla! So glad you could meet me for coffee at the lunch counter in Woolworths' today. It's been forever since we last saw each other! Adam told me about your new boyfriend, Charlie. Soooo, is he cute? I want details!"

"Hah, hah... you'll get to meet him soon enough, Aaron! He and I met just after you left for school in September. He's a really big guy with a full beard and a long pony-tail. And, I don't want you giving him funny looks about his biker jacket or boots when you meet him. He comes across as really tough and mean. But, he's a real sweetie underneath all the hair and the clothes! And before you ask, yes... he knows you and Adam are gay, and he's cool with that too."

"Adam says you are moving out west to B.C. with him in the spring?"

"Yep, I am. I love him, Aaron. He's good to me and there isn't much keeping me here in Brockville anymore. My Dad will be just fine with Diane there. And, just like you, I want to get out and see what else there is to life outside of Brockville."

"So, how is Rob Pierce and that new boyfriend of his, Calla?"

"Oh! His new friend John is a real sweetheart! He's as skinny as you and has dark brown long hair, a moustache and is a really funny guy. With Rob's blond hair, they make a really cute couple. Rob is still living in that place of his in Courthouse Terrace. He's been talking about moving up to Kingston though to study restaurant and hotel hospitality management at 'St. Lawrence College'. John lives up there now, so I guess they'll eventually move in together. He's really pretty happy. I think we're all doing great right now! How are things with you and Adam? I really like him a lot, Aaron. He loves you, you know."

"I love him too, Calla! He's going to move up to Ottawa to be with me early in the New Year. Dad really seems to like him and Mom, well... you know Mom. She's got him doing all kinds of stuff for her around the house and he's just been so good to them both."

"By the way. I saw your Mom recently with that crazy hair and headband downtown a few days ago. Like what in the world was she thinking, getting an 'Afro' and dying her hair bright copper? I barely recognized her!"

"I stopped trying to figure Mom out a long time ago, Calla! Hah, hah, hah!"

"Now, if I could just find her a decent Christmas present..."

"Go and have a look in 'Smart's Pro Hardware'. They have a new 'novelty gift' section. I found a couple of really funny gag gifts in there. Maybe you could get her something funny and if that doesn't work, then go into 'Kami Hair Design' and pick her up an 'Afro pic' and some 'Afro-Sheen' hair spray for that 'Soul Train' hair of hers! Hah, hah!"

"Hah, hah, hah! You're just as mean and bitchy and funny as ever Calla! That's why we're such good friends! God, I've missed you!"

Smart's Pro Hardware has been a fixture on King Street West in Brockville for generations. Just before the corner of King and John Streets, it has a huge main floor and a basement with a toy and hobby shop that is always packed with customers shopping for children's toys and gifts at this time of year. Mr. Stanward, the franchise owner, supplies all the Christmas gift toys for the children of those who work at most of the factories in the city. They do a huge business with selecting gifts based on gender and age, then wrapping them and delivering them to each Christmas party for each company in December. Mr. Stanward's' fat-assed, near-sighted, Brillo-pad hair son will go and play Santa Claus for an additional fee. It's about the only time of the year he actually works at something, other than being a spoiled and lazy brat.

Down in the toy and hobby shop and in the model car kit section, I see an AMT scale model plastic car kit for a '63 Pontiac Bonneville. "Hmmm... I wonder if Adam would ever put something like that together? He's always bragging about how good he is with his hands! Maybe I'll give them something else to do, other than grope and feel me up all the time! Heh, heh!"

Upstairs, on the main level at Smart's... and Calla was right. They have a little 'novelty gift 'section and I see something that is labelled an 'electric organ' in a small, plain white box on the shelf. "Holy shit!" I exclaim when I open it up to find a tiny penis with a cord and plug attached to it! The thing is all plastic and obviously not meant to actually plug into an outlet. I don't think it does anything other than to generate a look of shock from anyone opening the box and looking inside. "Oh! I just have to get this for Mom! Dad will kill himself laughing when she tries to plug it in to figure out what it does! Perfect!"

Back down King Street, heading home to Bethune and I know I still have to pick something nice up for Mom. "Well... since Fullerton's is closing up and they have a big clearance sale on now, no reason why I shouldn't go in and ask Adam to help me! I really don't have any idea what to get her. There was nothing in 'Woolworth's' and no way was I going to go into 'Lipson's Department Store' with John Weldon working in there in the stockroom and on the sales floor. "That homophobic bastard prick and his bullying cousin, Jimmy. Nope. Not gonna' go there. No way!"

"Back again, Mrs. Fullerton! I need to get something nice for my Mom for Christmas."

"Adam's in the back right now, Aaron. You'll probably want him to help you. I'll let him know you're here."

"Hey baby!" he says quietly to me as he sneaks up behind me in the perfume and cosmetics section of the store. Are ya' lookin' for some more 'Eau Sauvage' to spray in my hairy crotch or what can I help ya' with there?"

"Oh Jeez, Adam! No! Stop teasing me about that! Heh, heh. I have to get something for Mom for Christmas and I haven't got a clue what to get for her."

"Hmmm... I know she was looking at those silver-plated comb, brush and hand mirror dresser sets up at the front of the store. Also, she wears that Dior perfume and is into dusting powders and stuff like that. I'll sell ya' some of that Dior, if ya' promise me you won't tell her you douse yourself with Christian Dior between your legs like ya' do with my 'Eau Sauvage', honey! Hah, hah, hah!"

"All right, 'Mr. Comedian'. You really should consider taking your act on the road... Now, are you actually going to help me here with something constructive? I could really use your help!"

"Honestly, cookie... I think the Dior would be a good and safe choice. And then maybe you should stop into Evangeline's Dress Shop and pick her up a scarf or somethin' like that. If ya' run out of ideas completely, you could always get her a 'crate' of Tequila for those 'Tequila Sunrises' she seems to like. She's even got my Mom drinkin' them now! Hah, hah, hah!"

"Gee, thanks 'Mr. Helpful'. I'll know who not to ask for suggestions in the future."

"Ahhh, now, honey... seriously... you might wanna' go and get her some wool and a couple of patterns down at Kitty's Wool Box. She's promised to make me an Aaron fisherman knit sweater in the New Year and is starting to get into knitting again. Maybe that might a good gift for her. Something to keep her busy and occupied."

"Now that's not a bad idea! Maybe that and something personal just for her. Get me some of that Dior, Sasq man and I'll go and see Kitty down at 'The Wool Box'."

"Jeez! What a guy to suggest I go and buy Mom some wool to make a sweater for 'him'!" I laugh and say to myself, as I backtrack down King Street. "I'll go in and exchange the sweater I got for him for a fisherman cable knit sweater at Craig's and then stop in to get his Mom and Bast a nice bottle of wine and then get some wool for Mom to make something for 'herself'! Jeez! What a guy! Heh, heh!"

Adam's suggestion about scarves in Evangeline's Dress Shop made me think about that ridiculous 'Bianca Jagger' headband Mom was wearing. "Hi, Angelina! Those scarves in the window there... they're beautiful and there is one with copper, grey, yellow and green in it. May I see it please?"

"Hi, Aaron. I'm assuming it's for your Mom for Christmas... those scarves are from Italy and are similar to those done by the fashion designer, 'Emilio Pucci'. A copper-coloured one in that Pucci-inspired print would work well with your Mother's new... ummm, uh... hairstyle..."

"Well, it's either that or an 'Elizabeth Taylor' turban, Angelina! Hah, hah, hah!"

"Between you and me, Aaron that scarf is big enough to serve as a kerchief, once her hairs starts to grow out. Just let me get it out of the window display and then you can decide."

Thank God... Christmas shopping... done now for another year...

Every year, the Town Haus Restaurant is a Christmas kaleidoscope of colours, sounds and scents. The Nutcracker soldiers standing guard at the front door into the restaurant have seen many Christmas's come and go over the decades. Inside is a veritable Bavarian fairyland of German themed ornaments such as wooden, candle-powered carousels, exquisite painted wood and delicate, antique glass tree ornaments, pine cone wreaths and one marvellous tree beside the fireplace in the main dining room. The aromas of delicious food, pine, holly and burning wood logs enhance the entire experience.