Series: Behind Closed Doors 10

Photo courtesy of Li @ Tao Talk

Nyla cracked the door to Finn’s “mancave” just enough to let the phosphorescent glow of the bare bulbs spill a narrow pillar across the yard. “I’m heading up,” she called, her tone soft but practiced.

Inside, Finn was hunched over his workbench, screwdriver in hand, eyes narrowed in concentration. A half-finished shelf sat clamped to the table, the scent of varnish thick in the air. Behind him, the small space radiated personality- a collage of everything he loved and everything she’d never have tolerated in her house.

There were neon beer signs from the old bowling alley, the mini fridge plastered with band stickers, and the recliner he’d refused to toss when she redid the family room a decade ago- worn, sagging, but his.

“Almost done,” he murmured, tightening one last screw before stepping back to admire his handiwork.

Nyla smiled faintly. “You’ve been saying that since spring.”

He grinned without looking up. “Yeah, but this time I mean it.”

She shook her head, “Don’t stay out too late.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.”

When the door closed, the silence felt perfect. Out here, everything was exactly as it should be.

Later, crossing the yard toward the house, Finn heard voices through the kitchen window- Nyla’s low and strained. “…I don’t know what else to do, Carol. Mom’s not safe on her own anymore. This is the third time she’s left the stove on all day this month!”

A pause.

“I would, but there’s just no room. The kids’ rooms are tiny, and what about when they come home for holidays? Finn’s got the shed, but…”

Her voice faded, a weary sigh finishing the thought.

Finn stopped, hand on the porch rail. The shed. His shed. He turned toward it- his reward for years of work and raising a family. But suddenly it made him feel- selfish.

A flash of a memory-  Nyla teasing him when he built it years ago- “You’d live out there if I let you.”

Maybe someone should.

****************************************************

It took three months, five buddies, and more beer than any of them would admit, but when Nyla finally went to get her mother, the transformation was complete.

Fresh siding. New windows. A door that actually shut right. Inside, the walls gleamed with paint; the wiring, insulation, and flooring all new.

Finn heard the SUV pull to a stop in the drive. Doors slammed. Laughter and the shuffle of footsteps.

Nyla rounded the corner first and stopped short at the sight of Finn, beer in hand, that unmistakable grin on his face. She knew her part and played it with gusto.

“Okay,” she said slowly. “What did you do? You’ve got that look on your face again.”

“Nothing bad,” he said, wiping his hands on his jeans. “Just thought you girls might like a tour of the old mancave.”

Her mother laughed. “I’ve seen it, Finn. Once was enough for me!”

“Yeah,” he said, nodding toward the door. “It’s a little different now.”

Curious, she followed him to the threshold.

Inside, the space glowed warm and cozy despite the bare walls-  incandescent lighting, gleaming hardwood floors- it looked like a home in every sense of the word.

Nyla moved closer to Finn, silent, anticipating her mother’s reaction.

“I figured,” Finn said quietly, “if we moved some of your things in here, it might make a nice little place. For you, Mom.”

Her mother blinked, eyes wide, hand brushing the smooth wall. “For me?”

“If you want it,” he said. “You’d be close, but still have your own space.”

She swallowed hard. “It’s beautiful, Finn.”

Nyla’s mother wandered slowly inside, tracing her fingertips along the countertops, checking out the bathroom as if she couldn’t quite believe it was real.

Finn watched her, feeling something shift in him- something like pride, but deeper.

Sure, the mancave wasn’t his anymore, but something about the look of relief on Nyla and his mother in law’s faces made him feel more like a man, than all the years he had spent in the mancave combined.

The inspiration for this story came to me when I viewed the photo as part of a slideshow offered by Li on her blog TaoTalk. The result of that inspiration is my contribution to Dan’s Thursday Doors.

This is part of a series of stand alone vignettes. You may navigate all entries in the series by clicking on Behind Closed Doors tab in the Category drop down list.

45 thoughts on “Series: Behind Closed Doors 10”

  6. That is a lovely story, Violet. I had a very good friend who gave up a hobby room in their apartment soe his mother-in-law would have a place to live. It’s a wonderfully loving gesture and you captured is so well.

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  8. ❤ ❤ ❤ V, I love how you were inspired by the photo. My favorite section:

    Sure, the mancave wasn’t his anymore, but something about the look of relief on Nyla and his mother in law’s faces made him feel more like a man, than all the years he had spent in the mancave combined.

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  19. What a profound and deeply moving story, Violet. I love the grace that generosity gives back to us, that sense you described so well that we become more human when giving something of value for no other reason than, that others might be blessed. Superb writing, and I love Li’s photo!

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