The World of Myth Magazine

Mike Coleman was another of the successful Coleman kids. Born on July 4, 1952, there would be a mini birthday party within the larger context of the family reunion on Friday evening. Cathy enlisted Stephanie’s help in preparing a cake.

Mike was perhaps the most interesting of this generation of Colemans. Those who did not know him well saw a dignified and reserved person, resembling very much the vice president of a large Dallas bank, which he was. However, those who knew him more intimately saw a different side of his nature which was not always pleasing.

Of average height, Mike was slender with sandy hair, light complexion and still, at age 56, boyish good looks. He had a quiet but pleasing personality and knew how to use it to his advantage. Women were attracted to him, and Mike did nothing to discourage the attentions of any woman that interested him. This quality landed him in divorce court in 1991. At least, he had the good sense not to remarry, for he realized he was not a good long term partner and would not be a good parent to children. Indeed, he was grateful that he and Joan were childless, for that made for a much easier and more amicable separation. The series of short term relationships he engaged in during the ensuing years, plus a couple of affairs with married women, suited him just fine.

Mike was basically a good man but lacked depth of character. Big Tim would relearn this during reunion weekend and be saddened by it, but there was nothing to be done. People are what they are and Tim had the ability to meet people wherever they may be emotionally.

The next day saw the arrival of Janelle and Larry from Topeka just a few minutes before the clock struck 12:00 noon. A few moments later, Leann and Jack arrived from Oklahoma City. To Cathy it seemed the full weight of reunion weekend was now upon her, but more guests were due to arrive tomorrow. It was an exhilarating feeling but she knew her work was cut out for her. At least, she and Stephanie had quickly become friends and the help she was receiving from the youngest Coleman kid was greatly appreciated. Peggy continued to be a bit standoffish, but Cathy sensed this was because she did not yet feel comfortable around unfamiliar people.

Leann was the first to greet Big Tim, giving him a too intimate kiss on the lips. Tim felt anew the unwanted sexual attraction to his cousin but knew there was nothing he could do about it. Unknown to him, Cathy noticed Leann’s passionate greeting but wisely said nothing. Tim had candidly admitted to her his attraction to Leann, and she appreciated his truthfulness and trust. She understood very well that is not something most men would admit to their wives. But she was a wife and woman of normal emotions and could not help but wonder why Tim’s cousin would do such a thing.

Lunch for the six of them was simple fare. A more elegant meal would come tonight, but for now it was hamburgers, hot dogs and potato chips. It was warm on the patio and deck this time of day, but Cathy and Tim prepared covered tables on the patio. She noticed her husband was very much in his element grilling the meat and visiting with their guests.

Big Tim and Janelle visited on the deck as he grilled. It was even warmer there and the rest of the family sat at the shaded tables below. After the usual small talk about how great it was to see each other, how nice it was to have this reunion, etc., etc., Tim said, “Sis, I don’t mind saying that I’m very pleased you’ve gotten your life together.”

Janelle smiled and replied, “Took a while, didn’t it?”

Big Tim grinned back, “Yeah, but it was worth it.” Bluntly, he added, “You happy with Larry?”

“Very much so, I think you’ll like him better after this weekend.”

Tim was not aware his apprehension concerning Larry was so obvious, but he learned long ago not to underestimate the power of female intuition. He did not doubt she was right about her observation and said so. “I know you’re right. It’s just that I want the best for you.”

Janelle kissed him on the cheek and said, “I know you do. That’s why you are so special to me.”

Janelle excused herself to step down to the patio and sit. It was hot up on the deck, but Tim was just about ready to bring the hot dogs and burgers down to them. As they anticipated the noon meal, Bob asked Cathy, “Somebody mentioned tonight would be a real feast. What are we having?”

“Salad, wedding soup and prime rib,” Cathy smiled and added, “filling but not hard to prepare.” Jim whistled as Cathy said this. Although a slender man, Jim’s appetite would compare with that of a man twice his size. He said, “I guess I better eat light.” Peggy smiled and asked, “Why? You’ll eat more than anyone tonight whether you eat light now or not.” Tim heard this and was pleased Peggy was loosening up. He was even more pleased when Peggy and Leann offered to help Cathy and Stephanie later in the kitchen. Things were going well so far, just as he hoped they would.

Tim placed the food on the tables, making another trip up the deck stairs to get the plate for the second table. As he sat down, Cathy noticed he was smiling contentedly. She commented, taking Peggy’s cue at playfulness, “You look like the cat that swallowed the canary.”

“Nah, just pleased to see everyone and looking forward to having the others here tomorrow.” Everyone knew “the others” were Bob and Mike, plus Tim Jr., Dee and their families. Tomorrow, this really would be a complete reunion. Big Tim added, “I wish we could have firecrackers, but the City of Overland Park wouldn’t like that too much.” Everyone laughed in unison.

Later, Tim would look back on this Thursday afternoon backyard cookout with incomplete guest attendance as the best time of the reunion weekend. It was another of those notable moments that Coleman family members were blessed to feel on special (and not so special) occasions. In retrospect, he would not be surprised or alarmed that he would feel this way. There was the anticipation of tomorrow, the 4th of July, and the arrival of more family members. The reunion had not yet hit full stride and there was a happy feeling of joy in the moment and giddy anticipation of what was to come.

Friday, July 4, 2008 arrived hot, humid and sunny. Tim was up early and noticed the thermostat was pushing 85 degrees at 8:30, a very rare occurrence in this part of the Midwest.

But, summers are supposed to be hot, he reasoned, and he had other things to think about today. Brother Bob and his cousin Mike would be here later this morning. There wasn’t much else to be done in the way of preparation. Instead, the focus now was to keep everything neat and cleaned up. Last night’s prime rib dinner provided him and Cathy their first taste of true hosting. Fortunately, the entire family assisted with the cleaning up.

The family relaxed after dinner. Much alcohol was consumed, setting the tone for the next few days.

Today would be an even greater challenge, but it was a challenge Tim eagerly anticipated. His children, grandchildren, brother, sister and cousins would all be here today. Tim’s heady feelings carried over from yesterday. So far, the reunion had been a golden experience and not everyone was here yet.

Dee and her family arrived at 11:00. Dee was anxious to help her parents with whatever needed to be done. Next to arrive was Bob, who walked in the front door just as the clocked chimed 12:00. A few minutes later, Mike appeared. Cathy thought it was almost a replay of yesterday with out of town visitors arriving at noon just a few minutes apart. At 12:30, Tim Jr. and his family arrived.

The Coleman home was huge, and it needed to be for this large gathering. It consisted of six bedrooms, kitchen, dining room, den, study, (which was serving as a guest bedroom for Bob during this weekend), two car garage and basement, which was converted into Tim’s recreation area. The deck, patio and backyard area was airy and spacious. There was also a small utility room and rarely used TV room comprising what Cathy and Tim referred to as the “fourth level” in their multi-level home. The front yard was larger than most in their neighborhood and it separated the house nicely from the street. Big Tim was most proud of the fact that the exterior of his house was entirely brick, something you did not see often in the Kansas City area. He was also proud of the ash and mahogany woodwork inside the house. The only negative to this was that Cathy felt the dark wood created a too somber atmosphere within the home, but Big Tim loved the woodwork as it was, so she refrained from painting or remodeling.

Mike commented on the woodwork as Tim walked him and Bob through the house. “This paneling is beautiful. You don’t see this sort of craftsmanship often anymore.”

“No, you don’t,” Big Tim answered. “We purchased this house from the original owner in 1990. It was built in 1963 and all of the woodwork was done by the builder’s best carpenter.”

“It’s really a fine home,” Bob offered. “One gets a sense of peace when walking through it.”

Big Tim and Cathy sat together watching the Coleman family interact and get to know one another in a way they had not since childhood. Cathy said to him, “So, is this living up to your expectations?”

Tim sipped a beer. It was still hot on the patio at 8:00 p.m. even though the sun was long disappeared from the Coleman backyard. He answered, “Yes, I believe it is. It means a lot to have everybody here on the 4th of July. I cannot think of anything else I would rather be doing or anywhere else I would rather be.” He paused and grinned impishly, “Except, of course, Edinburgh Scotland.” Cathy poked him good naturedly.

Big Tim watched his children and grandchildren playing in the spacious yard. Eleven year old Tim III was hoping one of the neighbors would break the city ordinance and pop some firecrackers. He had never seen firecrackers explode up close. Big Tim’s siblings and cousins were gathered at the patio tables, which now numbered three to accommodate the large group. Everyone was offering Happy Birthday wishes to Mike. There were no shortages of food, alcoholic beverages, good will and camaraderie. As he eyed the birthday cake prepared by Cathy and Stephanie, he said to his wife, “No, dear, I don’t think it can get any better than this.”

In the summer of 2008, 60-year-old Tim Coleman had no way of knowing how many years he had left to live. He was confident and hopeful the years, however many or few they may be, would be good ones. But, had his Uncle John been with them on this memorable 4th of July evening, it is possible he would have felt another sense of dread as he did on that long ago Christmas Eve. For, very shortly, things would change dramatically and certainly not for the best. Indeed, the Coleman family would never again be the same.

Cathy Coleman had never seen her husband as happy as was now. As she set a light breakfast of toast and croissants out, she commented on this to Stephanie, who had quickly become a good friend and confidant.

“I was worried the reunion would not live up to Tim’s expectations. I feared he would build it up in his mind to something none of us could live up to.”

Stephanie smiled, “That sure doesn’t seem to be the case so far.”

“No, it doesn’t.” Cathy giggled and Stephanie asked why. She answered, “I think he may have had too much to drink last night.” It was almost 9:00 and everyone else was still in bed. The traveling and emotion of the reunion had caught up with them. Not to mention last night’s merrymaking. Cathy and Stephanie felt slight headaches this morning as well but did not wish to admit it to each other.

Stephanie asked, “So, what’s up today? I know you are just playing this by ear, but what are your and Tim’s ideas for today?

Cathy sat down at the kitchen table. She assumed the air of one who had been posed a serious question and wished to provide a serious answer. Stifling a slight cough, she said, “Tim and I spoke about this yesterday. We think it would be a good idea for the spouses to go out for a while tonight and let the Colemans have some time together in private. What do you think?”

Stephanie had not considered this possibility. The focus so far had been on everyone getting to know one another and the idea caught her off guard. She did not immediately answer, much to the consternation of Cathy. But, after a long moment Stephanie somberly replied as she thought out loud, “Well, that may not be a bad idea. It’s not something I would have thought of but that may be a good idea. Thinking about it, we may appreciate some time alone. It’s been a long time for us.”

Cathy grinned. Stephanie could see she was relieved. “I’m glad you asked because that gave me a reason to bring it up. Do you think the others will go for it?”

Once more, Stephanie thought for a long, awkward moment. But it was worth the wait as she said, “Yeah, I think so.” She smiled slightly and paused again, this time for only a short moment, and then asked, “This was your idea, wasn’t it?

Sheepishly, Cathy answered, “Yes.”

Stephanie patted her on the hand, saying simply, “I thought so.’

Before she could continue, Big Tim walked slowly into the kitchen. Both Stephanie and Cathy teased him. They saw he had a mild hangover but nothing serious. Before either of them could say, “Good morning,” he asked, “So, what is it you ‘thought so’ about?”

“We were discussing our idea to allow the Coleman family some private time. The rest of us can go to the mall, or something,” said Cathy.

“I think if you suggest it to the others, they will like it,” offered his cousin.

Tim took a big gulp of coffee and color returned to his cheeks immediately. He was obviously pleased. “Well, we’ll talk to the others as they come down. It won’t be long.” They could hear morning noises from the guest rooms and knew the house would be alive once more in a few minutes.

Out of Tim’s earshot, Stephanie whispered to Cathy, “I like the way you are quietly working to make this a good time for our family. Thank you.”

Cathy’s affection for Tim’s cousin was increasing moment by moment.

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