This Old Mansion

By: John Bowling
(© 2013-2014 by the author)

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

Chapter 11
"The Neighborhood BBQ"

Dateline: Wednesday, July 4, 2013, Starting early on an all day event.

JT narrating

We woke up bright and early, well most of us. Manny sent Damion, Jeremy, Germane, and Petr to wake me up. The two youngest climbed onto the bed and sat on my stomach, and bounced on me. while the other two wascally wabbits were on either side of the bed and pushing on my shoulders. Two dogs had their paws on the foot board, and a little yellow fur ball climbed over them and right on my stomach between the little ones.

"Get up, lazy. We've been up doing your chores, and we all are needed at the depot to get everything rolling."

"All right, I'll get up just to swat some rear ends."

They cleared the room, so I got up, cleaned up and dressed. No, I didn't hit any of them. I met them in the kitchen, and they had breakfast, such as it was, ready - burnt toast, eggs scrambled, or some fried hard and others still runny, all mixed together on top of bacon equally undercooked and burnt.

"Tomorrow we are starting cooking lessons! I'll bet the barn is a mess as well."

"And you're training to be a tyrant, you lazy bum! I think we should just have cereal."

"Cereal is boring. Yea, I like to boss you guys, but we all have fun with it."

"Hey, we still have some of the malnutrition, and Darren still can't walk proper yet. And where's Jason when we need him to sit on you?"

"OK, I'll go easy for now, but I'll fix things until we can give you basic cooking skills."

We finished up, and it wasn't bad, just not as good as Mom used to make. I miss her. "Come on, guys, let's get the dads and go over to the depot and see what we can do to help out."

"See, tyrant, we gotta work all day and can't play. Where's our Independence?"

Just then Manny and Cliff walked in. "I see some little ones have been cooking. Let's get this cleaned up and get over to the BBQ site. And none of you guys get to go near the BBQ barrels. We don't want any burns. And you guys do not have to work, but playing all day could get boring."

"Some of the work is fun, but not mucking the stalls."

"Yes, Sir!" They all chimed in and did mock salutes.

"None of that, you know everybody's names, so no 'Sirs'! This is not the military or a military boarding school. So do we have the beginnings of a scout troop?"

"Only if you guys get to be troop leaders."

"Then we won't join the official Boy Scouts. We'll create our own with proper morals training, not singling out a few for prejudice. Or find another organization to work with. And, we'll let the girls in. And while we might do some marching for fun, military regimen is not what we do."

There were a bunch of high-fives and some knuckle knocks among the assortment of boys, along with a few groans.

"Guys, there are several things we will do somewhat differently than most people. Just so that we do treat you all well and equally, we will not be working with anyone differently, including girls and boys, except for where there are different bodily functions. You can wear what you want to wear, and do the kind of activities you want to do, provided that those things are not dangerous. As you get older and better at doing things, we will allow some of those things that are potentially hazardous. So, guys, let's go see how they are doing at the pits and barrels," Cliff told us all.

"Nice name there, guy." Manny told him. "Should we create a neighborhood restaurant called 'The Pits and Barrels' using your secret recipe sauce?"

"It's been passed down in the family for several generations. I just came up with some new styles for those who like a little different taste."

"My favorite, naturally, is gen-u-wine Mannys' Maple Marinade." I told them.

"Yea, JT, you like anything Maple. Even when the wine in it will have the alcohol cooked out."

"Yeah, it's goo...od."

So we meandered over to the pits. I've tried, with this group of wascally wabbits who always get distracted, to keep them marching in line. Don't matter, I love 'em all, and I know Manny and Cliff do as well. So eventually we made it. I got'sta be the conductor again for all the high 'n mighty, by their own admission, potential politicians. Even if they don't call it that. They's gonna be stumping most of today. Got'sta make sure I can ignore their hyperbole.

The road in had a newly installed temporary gate, with a fence going off to surround the grounds. While the gate was open, there were metal detectors on either side, with hired, unarmed guards, and was almost like the airline security systems. We put our keys and coins in a tray, and went on through. We laughed about none of us having guns, though we knew why Grant was tenting his pants every time he was near Jason. We also saw the same setup at the depot.

We got there, and George had brought over a spit for roasting a pig. He had with him a new teen who looked like he could grow up to whip Jason; nah, he'd probably be nice like Jason so they have more big guys to make us little'r guys 'behave'. Not me, though. I'm always good.

We arrived at the barrels, and the big guys had started them burning. George just pulled in with a big thing in the bed of his pickup. I walked over to meet this new guy, and let him know who was the boss here.

"Hi, I'm JT." I held my hand up for a high five, and he put his up by mine, and his finger tips wrapped a little around mine.

"I'm Mike." And he pulled me into a hug. I felt his muscle pressing me all around. Just then Jason walked up and said: "No fair flexing like that against smaller guys. Try me."

They did and for a few minutes I could see flexed arm muscles as they tested each other.

"See what you caused in JT?" Jason whispered to Mike.

"Hun?"

"Just look. I am gay, with a boyfriend, or I would be tempted to try you out."

"I won't try anything with you, too strong, but I want a boyfriend as well."

"I'm not gay. But this thing just pops up when it's embarrassing," I said.

"Now that we understand each other, you are a nicely hunky guy. JT and most of the other guys are too young for you, so I may have to interrupt with them," Jason continued.

Lucent walked over and said, "Mike, I volunteer to try out for you!"

"Yea, so he isn't constantly idolizing me."

"He is cute, even though he is on the thinner side. Maybe with some hard work with the weights. We could make each other sore!"

The younger guys were laughing at the antics of the older, horny boys. Germain and Petr were doing mock kissing and rolling around in the grass hugging each other as they laughed.

"Funny guys!" They pointed at all the older guys there.

I walked over to them and said: "OK, you clowns. No wascally wabbits allowed. Be polite 'cause someday you will be going through the same things with girls, or guys."

Just then, Jason asked Mike, "OK, muscle boy, help me lift this off the truck and get it set up. It'll give us both a chance to show off." They high-fived, and jumped into the back of the pickup.

As they were lifting it Mike said quietly, "That's Muscle toy boy!"

Grant walked over to Lucent and said, "You stick with him. With the way he moves he should be awesome in bed. Build yourself up some to make sure you can keep up with him and leave Jason to me, unless you want a cat fight with me."

The pig had been pre-roasted by the butcher, so it would be done enough after a few hours on the spit. The pre-cut beef steaks were in half pound to two pound sizes. Several whole, cleaned, roasting chickens were ready for the grill. Heloise arrived with vegetables to roast, wrapped in foil. She included potatoes, carrots, onions, corn, turnips, and rutabaga. Clair brought red, white, and horse radishes. Jimmy and Sheila came with their parents who brought assorted lettuces, cabbage, tomatoes and onions. Their gardens had been set up a few years ago as organic, with the help of Manny and Cliff.

Joe here, taking over on the narrating, while JT is off having fun as the train conductor.

We put more and bigger chunks of wood in, some left over from construction and tree clearing, and some dried hickory. The flames in the barrels grew large for a bit, and while we would be waiting for them to burn down into chars, we took the train into Cadillac. Helen, Dot, and Joe stayed around to supervise the flames and punish the miscreants that jumped out onto the grass with water dousing from buckets. A delivery company brought out extra portable toilets and removed the one's the workmen had been using. We had them placed a fair distance away from the food area. They set up bottled water dispensers for washing hands near them. We had drinking and cooking water dispensers near the barrels.

Two of the resident halls had been quickly finished up enough for temporary places for some staff and other employees arriving prior to opening. The construction crews were all invited to the event to thank them for their good work.

"I love the way this is all coming together, and even now, before most of the resident buildings are ready to be lived in, they have several young people. The neighbors are all up for this place, and there are even politicians showing up today, along with many of the child care staff people. Manny and Cliff are letting the youngsters be themselves and happy, and making sure no one gets hurt," Helen said.

"How much do we know about these politicians?" Dot asked.

"We had our investigators check them out, and while most of them are decent people, one is rather scandalous. He is the one who has objected the most to this worthy home, based on his religious beliefs. He is also married and in the midst of an affair with a male aide. I expect to ask him some pointed questions when he is here stumping.

"And they are a reason for the security. We do not want anyone, including security agents having guns or knives. Also, there will not be any drugs or alcohol brought in or consumed. Prescribed drugs would have to be taken prior to, or after the event. We have a gun safe at the entrance, and you can pick yours up as you leave. The only meat that would need cutting was slices of the pig on the spit, and that would be handled by our very own trustworthy Jason. All the meats and vegetables would be tender enough so plastic knives could cut them. Vegetables have more health benefits if they are only slightly cooked, but roasted taste awesome, so we have raw veggies for salads along with roasted ones.

At ten o’clock, and again at eleven, they took the train into Cadillac and then Mesick, picking up a load and dropping them at the WLS depot. Just before they were allowed on the train, the no guns and no knives rule was told to everyone, and posters had it printed out. Also, there was a list of taboo subjects the politicians could not talk about, including anything derogatory to LGBT and the handicapped or elderly, any kind of religious attack on other religions or non-religious, and anything bad about foster or adoptive care. If they insisted, they could not come to the BBQ, or would have to leave.

When asked how they could do that in a free country, they were told that it was private property, and that they were not paying or being paid to be there. The Maple Express Project was created to provide for kids whose parents could not or would not take care of them, and that care would the best care without violence to the kids or any other residents.

Those coming and not on either of those train trips, had to travel by car. There would be return trips at five and again at six in the evening.

Joe here.

It's noon, and all those arriving by train are here. Before I turn this back over to JT, we have ten guns locked in the safe, all from the current or future politicians' security people. They objected, but agreed when we insisted. Unknown to them and others, we have specialized detectors, including video and infra-red, located every fifty feet along the fence that could detect people, large animals, and weapons. Sections of the fence could be electrified if and when needed. That is not known by most of the people here, and it is all controlled and analyzed by computer.

JT back again to tell you about all the things people are doing. I make a good narrator, don't you think? You got'sta!

Currently most are wandering around just socializing. The ones that stand out are the politicians, not only for their loud voices; I guess they have to yell in the legislature just to be heard. They are overdressed in suits; I guess so that when videos are taken from them that they look OK on TV. I may take some with my camera and post them on YouTube on my channel, and some will be of them talking to the people here, saying their real thoughts rather than practiced, memorized speeches. All of us little guys are making the videos, and I have several extra memory chips. The little guys are sticking together so that one can video the other. If there is any trouble, we want to check it out later.

There were a few more cars arriving, and I notice a couple get out and come through the gate. I ran over to them. The woman looked like my mother. I did not recognize the man. I yelled: "Mom!"

"James Toro, my little man, almost grow'd up. I'm sorry 'bout what happ'n'd, but your dad was hid for the FBI, and he came and got me af'er he tol' the judge. We not find you anywhere that day, and we saw a neighbor who hated anyone who is not white and pure Germ'n wit' a can of gas and a match box run from the house."

"Dad, is it really you? I don't 'member, but you look a lot like me."

"Yes, and I'll bet these people have a way of confirming it; probably DNA."

Helen has just rolled up, and Dot, Manny and Cliff are walking with her.

Helen spoke to them; "Welcome to the Maple Express Project. We love having kids be with their real parents, provided they are good parents. You two have been thoroughly checked out and are very good parents. If you want to take JT back home, we will not do anything to stop you, but we will all miss him.

"If you want, we can offer you both jobs here, and you can stay along with JT. Why don't you enjoy the afternoon, talk with each other, and we will talk more about it later. There will be lots of good food in a short while. I'm sorry the conditions here are not like a fancy restaurant, but we are being realistic and I'm tired of all the pompousness and ostentatious people expect in Chicago. JT can show you around, and you may have some tag-along other kids."

"We will. We were looking for the papers, and found the note placed where they used to be. It brought us here. You people have obviously been very good for James, or is it JT?"

"It is JT, not TJ or James. And I love it here. They have been good to me, and they even let me be the conductor on the train. You can ride with us later when some of these people go back to their homes."

"JT has been like a mother hen for the little guys, and always has something fun for them to do. We have an enclosed area here that is part of the woods, with semi-tame animals who come and go as they please through a specialized gate that closes when people and some animals approach it. The deer there are treated for midges, though usually it is too cold for them.

"We will protect the kids when needed, and that is the major reason for the weapons check. We have prepared in advance for any of the potential events. Even pets are examined for temperament and diseases, cured when we can, and encouraged for the young ones. The food should be ready shortly, so, welcome, and go enjoy yourselves."

There were people from the investigation team present, and, as before, were just like regular people from the area. Only one person presented himself as a member of that team, and he reported privately to the 'big four', what we young 'uns refer to Helen, Dot, Manny, and Cliff as. I managed to listen in, and he told me about the problems my real dad had with the FBI being brought in. Remember the note from my mother? "plz hlp jmmy go to skol. me dyng. thkx jne tooro." The day of the fire they took her to the hospital and fixed some problem so she didn't die. They would not tell me when we visited there, related to the FBI wanting to keep the location of my parents unknown. Dad was a witness for them. Now that the bad people are in prison, they were released from the witness protection stuff, and told them where to find me. That is still not to be repeated, in case the crooks have friends around here. Here my parents will have some protection just as all of us have.

Just then Jason rang the dinner bell. He can ring it really loud on the triangle, and his muscles really stand out. So does something else of mine, but I'm not gay and too young for those things.

After we went through the line, kids first to make sure we did not get trampled by all these big people. After us, it was random. Oh, I got'sta ask. How am I doing with Yankee English? I'm not going to stop saying got'sta 'cause I like to say it. So there!

We all got to have seconds; the food was so good, and some managed thirds, but I'm stuffed. I'm making up for the time when I didn't get regular meals, and our malnutrition guys, Germain and Petr, were slowly gaining some weight. And they were rolling around groaning from over-full stomachs. Anything left after that was placed into containers and put into a refrigerated truck and taken to a food pantry in Traverse City.

Then came the speeches, with cameras rolling, and Manny, with Helen, Dot, and Cliff behind him, began with: "This facility was created to care for young people and those elderly who no longer have people that take care of them.

"Our promise to the world is that all children without parents are placed into homes where they care and protect the young people, and that they are not transferred for any reason other than the foster/adoptive parents violate rules in a way that those young people would be damaged by that violation. It is that need which engendered the creation of this home for kids, and is our motto.

"The concept of elderly along with kids is something that allows them to enjoy their life more, and we want to assure they are all healthy and happy, without abuse of any kind.

"Once this place is finished, we will work with other homes to have them become suitable caring places for kids. We will also work with the governments to have laws that protect and ensure the loving care, and that everyone has a sufficient income to provide for their needs. Some current politicians are trying to make it difficult for people who are not rich to have a decent family life.

"So, we have several incumbent and potential legislators here, and we are providing a ten minute time for them to speak. We know that that is almost impossible for them, but given the number of them, we have to do that. There are camera crews from local TV stations who are doing live feeds, and it probably will go national.

"Just remember as you speak, that the people are listening, and we are able to freely run advertisements about you, and have a budget for that if needed. Think of that as the modern equivalent of the tar and feathers used on miscreants in previous centuries.

"Thanks to you and to our Fore Fathers, and have a great Independence Day, and celebrate the freedoms you have in this country, and that all of those freedoms apply equally to everyone. Using your freedom to deny someone else of their freedom is not a right or a Constitutional provision."

They proceeded with the speeches, and, strangely enough, the politicians kept their words positive. Perhaps it was the good food they all had partaken of.

Once it was all over, and people went back home by car or train, with Mom and Dad along with me for the trips. Manny and Cliff gathered up the cell phones they had given us young guys. They downloaded all the videos we recorded of politicians speaking to individuals and small groups. We knew they would not edit their speaking there, and say what they really felt. Manny said that that was what they were going to base any advertising on, with small clips. Perhaps that was a sneaky way to get the information, but the only honest way. I got'sta love it!

Mom and Dad stayed in one of the early dorm type buildings, along with the other new or potential staff people. I have to get used to having a real dad before I want to live with them, and I was almost ready to think of Mom as dead. It's awesome that they are here, so we can be a family again, but it will take some getting used to.

To be continued...

Author's Note: “This story would not be very readable if not for my editor, Gerry Young. Even without all the strange spellings of those characters who use somewhat regional language and/or kidspeak (and I do get those wrong a lot). Thank you, Gerry.”

Editor's Note:  "Thanks for all your kind words, John, in this and previous chapters. And I'm sorry to say that with the stress of  tests, treatments, and a plentitude of new medications for a medical condition that has recently been discovered, I don't think it fair to you or your readers for me to continue editing at this time; I find it increasingly difficult to concentrate on what I'm doing.  Perhaps, and hopefully, someone else will offer to pickup at this point and continue working with you on this delightful story which has meant so very much to me since having lived in the area of Michigan where THIS OLD MANSION is taking place.  Keep writing, my friend, and as Red Skelton used to say .......  'God Blessssssssssssssssssss'."   (Gerry) Gerald A. Young.

Posted: 05/16/14