The Wolf is back, empty handed.
The family is home catching up on the house cleaning, getting the yard in shape and raking the leaves. The boys have resumed their paper routes, lawn mowing jobs and cutting weeds in the fields. School is back in session as are their daily routines. Social Services have completed their investigation. In the end, the report on the Finnigan Family is overwhelmingly positive. Father Mooney described Charlie with just one word... a "Prince"! The neighbors reported the children arrive home promptly and are always busy with their chores, "When we stopped by to deliver some cookies, the whole house was immaculately clean."
The Sisters at Christ the King school report the children always arrive on time, complete their homework, are courteous to other students and are leaders in their classes. "They brought in more orders for our peanut brittle sale than any other family." Of coarse the Gustinas, Horans and Cunninghams have only good things to say about Charlie and the family (what did Agent Brown expect them to say.) and Jake Hertzel reports that the older boys work very hard there after school and are extremely courteous with customers.
In spite of the fact that Agent Brown could not report one negative comment, he recommends that Social Services continue to oversee the family's activities. Dad has had enough of this cloud of suspicion hanging over the family and calls Judge Doyle to asks how to challenge the Agent's recommendation. Judge Doyle had read the recommendation and had already thwarting the Agents attempts to continue the investigation, which was now concluded.
Do Something and Do it Right.
Charlie's plan for family management seems to be working. He constantly encourages the boys and the children to keep busy. "Read a book, play a game, take a walk... do anything but do something and whatever you decide to do, do it right, or don't do it at all."
Kathleen learned how to play the piano by ear with many of the songs that Mother taught her. She brings thoughts of Marie to Dad and the boys listening to melodies flowing throughout the house, one of the few times that memories of Marie were allowed. Dad never mentioned Marie and the boys knew it was bothersome.. We never knew if Dad ever went to visit Marie's grave. The thoughts of Marie prompted Charlie to realize that he's spending too much idle time himself and while he is an avid reader and loves to take long walks, he felt the need to find something other than work and family, a hobby perhaps. John Horn enjoys photography, has a fine camera and a darkroom where he develops film and prints photographs.
Woodworking, a life saver!
Charlie thinks about how important woodworking was to his Dad's recovery when his Mother died and decides that it only makes sense to follow in his steps. The coal furnace in the basement was recently converted to gas and there is no longer a need for the coal bin which is the perfect size for a shop. He buys a table saw, drill press, jig saw and a lathe along with a number of hand tools. He remembers turning bowls on Dad's lathe and how relaxing he found designing and creating something with his own hands. The total price for the Delta equipment is less the $200.
Soon the entire house shakes as Charlie turns bowl after bowl eventually creating sets of six or eight individual bowls that fit inside a large salad mixing bowl which he gives to the Horans, the Gustinas and the Cunninghams in appreciation of the help and support they were providing the family. He also turns several beautiful lamps and builds jewelry cases. Woodworking is a God-Send for Charlie during the long, cold winters in Buffalo.
