The Problem with Dreams

Chapter 6 - A Visit for Matt

            He drove them around so they were in the daylight while they ate, watching the activity of the workmen all around them as they came and went. There were at least twenty men working there on that particular day, and yet they were so spread out, that except for the shaft in the cave, it was rare to come across more than one or two together.

            After lunch, they explored the lowest passageway.

            "They fixed the floor," Zackary noted. "It's flat now, all the way to the tunnel."

            "It is, except for the notch on the floor," Greg agreed. "Looks like the conduit is next. Perhaps that's what they're waiting for to turn the power on in this part of the cave."

            "Maybe," Zackary agreed when they emerged into the old, original tunnel and exited it through the shed.

            Matt walked out around by the pond which looked more or less the same as it had the first time he visited, then looked back up through the valley towards the house. He could just make out the white plastic wrapping the upper floors.

            "You know, when they get those rocks over the whole outside, you're hardly going to see the house from here," Matt said.

            "It should blend in very well with it's environment," Greg agreed. "We should see a lot more of that finished by next week."

            "Every week when we come they've got more done," Zackary said. "But there's still a long way to go."

            "What was it like the first time you came?" Matthew asked his brother.

            "The living room wasn't there, and my room didn't have walls. There was a gap between the library and the hill and passage in the cave ended in a dead end. Also the tunnel that goes to the bridge in the cave wasn't there," Zackary described what he remembered. "And the garage looked nothing like it looks now."

            "When did you break ground?" Matthew asked Greg.

            "Mr. Thompson's first day of work here was April first. Mr. Van Kirk started two weeks later," Greg related.

            "That was three months ago!" Matthew said. "How long is this going to take to build?"

            "That remains to be seen," Greg told him. "However, given how much preparation had to be done before they could begin to build the actual house, I am pleased with the progress they've made so far. According to Mr. Thompson the construction from this point forward is much more conventional than it has been up until now, so he expects things will go much more quickly with the house from now on."

            "I hope so. I know Mom wants to be in your new house for Christmas, but you really do have a long way to go," Matthew said.

            "I do too, Matt," Greg agreed. "However we're not even certain how much we can expect will be finished by the time you leave at the end of the summer."

            Matt nodded as he and Zack spent some time exploring some other sections of the property which Greg hadn't paid much attention to before. Eventually they all retraced their steps through the tunnel up to the cave, out through the grotto again. From there they followed the path along the orange fence to the car. There was much more there they could have spent time looking at, but the afternoon had passed quickly and Greg wanted to be sure Matt wouldn't be late for his shift.

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            "How did it go?" Susan asked when they returned to the farmhouse after dropping Matt off at McDonalds.

            "I believe Matt is impressed with the new house, although he did express some concern over how long it will take to complete," Greg told her as they talked while making dinner. "He knows you want to be moved in in time for Christmas."

            "That's nearly six months away. Surely the house will be ready by then," Susan said in dismay.

            "And it may be," Greg said. "Each week I go and I am amazed by how much they have gotten done ... and yet they still have a very long way to go."

            "So what did they get done this week?" Susan asked.

            "All the windows are in, the housewrap is on, the ceiling framing and roof is under construction. I expect that to be finished in another two weeks. The electrician was working while we were there, running wire and electrical conduit through the walls and ceilings on the lower floors. The exterior sheeting has been applied in some places. I expect to see more of that the next time I go," Greg ticked off the work that had been done.

            "So is the house sealed?" Susan asked.

            "It will be when the roof is on and they've added exterior doors," Greg said. "We're getting close though."

            "What about the insulation. Is that in yet?" Susan asked.

            "They've just started installing it in the walls," Greg said.

            "Matt might be right then," Susan commented. "The finishing work is what takes the most time, and it sounds like they're still a long way from starting that."

            Greg sighed. "I know, Susan; but the work is proceeding. We must have faith that it will be done and ready for us to move in when we should. But to that end, we have more shopping to do this weekend."

            "What are we shopping for this time?" Susan asked.

            "Lighting fixtures for the entry, hallways, bathrooms, kitchen, and some of the bedrooms," Greg said.

            "Well that's encouraging," Susan commented. "I think it will be good to have something to keep us constructively busy this weekend."

            "I think so too. I know we have another busy week ahead of us, but there is nothing to be gained by worrying about it," Greg said.

            "I'm not worrying, are you?" Susan asked.

            "No," Greg said firmly.

            "Not at all?" Susan checked.

            "I am thinking about it, however I don't think the sort of thoughts that have occupied me could be construed as worry," he assured her.

            Susan smiled. "Go call the kids. It's time for dinner and to say our prayers. I think we need them this evening."

            "Indeed," Greg said as she set the food on the table while called Zackary and Jessie to come eat.

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