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 12
"BBQ Aftermath & Discoveries"

Dateline: Friday, July 5, 2013

JT narrating

After the chores on the farms this morning, I spent a lot of time getting to know my real parents, taking them around and showing them everything, including the farm chores Manny and Cliff gave me. I told the gaggle of young Michiganders and geese around me that I needed to get to know my parents again. My real dad, the one I hardly know and have to get used to, said that he wanted to work with the farm animals. He grew up on a farm. I know they are proceeding to put the two farms, Manny, Cliff, and George's together into one big farm, expanding into some of the unused property of the Maple Express Project, so there would be sufficient fresh, organic, vegetables and healthy animals for all the future residents. We don't want to cut back on what we supply to the neighborhood.

George is going to manage all the farming, and my dad will be the overall foreman. They will add area foremen and specialists for each category: cattle, swine, chickens, fruits, and vegetables, and have the farms be learning tools for the young guys, me included.

My Dad was not exactly thrilled about the politicos being here after the problems and constant hiding, then uprooting and traveling he went through when he in the witness protection program, he learned to despise the system. Back then, he was not allowed to contact anyone. The family relationship between Mom and Dad is strained at best, still not knowing what may occur. And I don't know where I stand. I know I want to stay here and help with the all the things that we will be doing as a home for unwanted kids and grands. All three of us had lost the feeling of family, and I feel like I have a real family with Manny, Cliff, and all the other guys around. That feeling is fresher. I intend to get to know my birth parents well and see how much of a real family we can become. Yeah, the things that went on made me grow up faster. And Dad still can't say anything about what he was testifying about, in case there may still be some bad guys out there. I also know the investigation team is checking into things.

Apparently, the fire at my old home was staged, as part of the threats against Mom and me from the criminals' Dad was due to testify against. And apparently, some of those crooks had managed to grab me after the fire and moved me North. Luckily, they bungled things and I got away from them. The investigators had gotten a hold of Dad after the trial was over, and with the bad guys in prison, advised him about what to do to 'disappear', including close out any bank accounts, travel by car using cash so they could not be easily tracked, get their names changed. The investigator team took over and provided different cars six times to reduce tracking. The last change was to a weekly scheduled WLS train between Chicago and here. The pickup was somewhere in Indiana. The FBI arranged our name and social security ID changes so that none of us would be traceable back to those people from the Ozarks, whoever they were. James Leo Toro became Justin Tahigwa McGill and I still prefer JT. My Mom, Jane Toro became Margaret McGill, and my Dad, Terrell Lucas Toro became Stanton McGill. Dad and Mom stayed out of site yesterday when the politicians were here, just to make sure they and any of their security people did not recognize them. They got to view the people with PTZ (pan, tilt, zoom) security cameras and sound pick up. Those images were also recorded. The FBI wants to view any footage with people the Dad remembers from before.

This is not about spying, but assuring that the young residents are safe. The cameras looking out and onto the grounds will continue to be recorded.

No one explicitly invited the politicians to the BBQ. They were here the same as everyone else, because of the broad invitation we offered to everyone in the greater area. We did take one advantage with the video recordings, and we have copied them from our cell phones and the DVR system into a secured server. The only editing Manny, Cliff, and the chief investigator (who shall remain unidentified) are doing is to enhance the sound to make it clearly understandable, and avoid using sections where me and my family are visible. Eventually, they will fit them into time limitations for local ads. Members of the investigative team had asked questions of the politicians when there was one or more of the young people with cell phones nearby and ready to record video. They are also checking backgrounds on the politicos so the voters can have a better view of what they are really like. Cliff said that we got more realistic responses then we would have gotten had it been a news crew. And it will be what the politicians said that will make or break their presence to the public, not comments by others with an agenda. Yes, all TV, radio, and Internet news media have an agenda. Our agenda is to provide the audience with reality rather than hearsay.

Given that companies are people and money is speech, per the Supreme Court, we expect to spend some speech money and influence just as the groups that are trying to dictate how people vote. I'm sure you know what groups they are even if they are dishonest enough to not say who is behind the ads. Many of the groups fake a name that promotes a concept opposite of what they are promoting for typical false advertising of what they are attempting to foist onto the voting public. This country, if they have their way, will soon be a dictatorship controlled by the 1% and some covert secret organizations. Helen and Dot are in full approval of eliminating corruption in government, along with Manny and Cliff. And they will announce where the money comes from. Let me say here that all the companies controlled by the pair, while being in the business of making money, it is not on the backs of underpaid employees. All people are treated with the respect that they are due. Some politicians are not due any respect regardless of their position, and that does not follow party lines. The policy is one that was started by Helen and Dot years ago.

Manny has said that a select group of us will be visiting the companies they are now owners of. The companies are not public, and have no stock, thus no requirement to generate dividends and increased share value. They have a very open public comment area related to the companies' operation and their products, and people who research and respond to the comments. They take suggestions and gripes seriously, and will let engineering know of anything about the products that is detrimental to the users. They also have customer round table conferences quarterly, with customer's picked at random and expenses paid by the company. After the development costs are paid through sales, every product the companies produce have their specifications and designs moved to open sourcing, making it possible for other companies to create the items and even improve on them. They agree to submit any improvements to open sourcing also, and to show where the designs came from. We even expect to credit some of our residents for the concepts they may put in.

The model of the old hotel is complete, and Ty, Tim, and Ace (of Jess Mercer's Model Builders) did their usual superb job, using LED’s for lighting and a Raspberry Pi for control. The hotel itself is being repaired and restored, with the addition of power wiring, plumbing using PEX piping, and a state of the art sewage system that will work for the entire complex. The affluent from the system will be put through a reverse osmosis system, and water for drinking and kitchen use will also be distilled.

While they were here, I took the model makers and my parents on a tour through a couple of the resident and staff homes that were not yet assigned to people, showing them the comfortable bedrooms for two and the restrooms and kitchenettes. While we were touring, they asked about the doors that led to the basements with a storage room and a door that led out. We went through the door into the tunnel that led to the next building.

"We will not normally use these tunnels, but Manny said that sometimes in winter we get lots of snow and sub-zero temperatures, so we can use the tunnels to get around when it is really bad. Normally, we will keep the sidewalks above cleared, and the heat from the tunnels will travel up and warm the sidewalks. They also do not want the kids to go into the tunnels by themselves."

"A quick, safe exit if needed. Someone did a good job of planning this whole place." Dad said, thinking about what he had been through.

"A lot of people made suggestions, including the Great-Aunts, Manny and Cliff, the construction crew leaders, and me. As where are doing this inspection tour, I noticed that we need to do something about the doors so that people, including kids, can easily and safely get out."

"It looks like you think about things, which is very good, son!"

As we walked to the next building, I heard a faint noise that got louder as we walked along. We turned a corner, and there was a young guy setting near a door and sobbing. I knelt down by him. I had not seen him before, but he looked familiar. He was a black kid and looked like Germain, only a little older. I spoke gently.

"You OK?"

"No, lost, trapped."

"We can help you with that. Can you walk?"

"Yea, hungry, thirsty. Smelled food."

"Do you mean the BBQ yesterday?"

He nodded. We held a new bottle of water up to his lips so he could drink some.

"OK, let's get you up to a kitchen and get you something to eat." I helped him stand, and he was wobbly.

"Dad, can you carry him. I think he is too weak to make it back. If he has been wandering since we found Germain, he must also have the malnutrition."

While we went back the way we came, I called Dad Manny on my cell phone and told him, asking him to bring Germain. And made it back to the duplex Mom and Dad are staying in. Manny and the Clair was there to check him over. Mom quickly warmed up some soup for him. Clair was working with us temporarily until we could get fulltime qualified nurse, and Dr. Chip Mandrake could spend more time with us. He was setting up his practice so he had two full days with us.

Germain burst out with "Steffy! They found you. I was looking for you and got lost."

"Gotta get out."

"Folks, we need to get him into a bed so he can rest comfortably, with an intravenous drip to supply him with nutrients until he gains his health back. I think he was near starvation and very dehydrated. I will take blood samples and have the lab give me the diagnosis so I can provide what he needs. Can someone rush the blood sample to the hospital. I'll have Dr. Mandrake call and request immediate processing. While that is being done, I want to get him into the nurses station and get him resting and recovering. If anyone wants to talk to him, it can wait until morning.

"Germain, do you want to set with him? We can't have him alone, and we'll have others here also."

"Yeah!"

"And you, Manny, do something about those tunnels so no one gets trapped in them!"

"Yes, ma’am!"

"Manny, JT was suggesting that to us before we found the little guy. Is Germain the guy you found in the old hotel cellar?"

"Yes."

"Is there any possibility that there was something funny going on that both boys are here and without any family?"

"More than possibility. The investigation team is checking on what Germain has said and Stefen could provide more information once his health is stabilized."

Clair suggested that we keep him around people and make sure there is food when he needs it.

Manny called the contractor and put in an immediate order to first block the doors in the tunnels open, and then get new doors that open easily, without locks, and with windows kids can see through. In addition, install phones that are kid level.

*******

JT continuing with moderation.

We went on to tour the workshops used for re-construction and the Maker shop, Mom, Dad, the Model Builders, Manny, Cliff, and yours truly. Initially it is being used to build special things to restore the hotel and provide some equivalent decorations for the other buildings. Most of the other shops were not complete yet. The Model Builders were very interested in the shops.

I asked them: "Can we get you guys to build us some models for the trains? Most of the ones available in commercial hobby shops are nowhere near as good as you guys make them. We will have young ones, and even grands, build some by hand for training."

"Mostly that is because we hand make them without mass production. Your equipment is better than ours, including CNC (computer numerical control) XYZ tables with various tools and 3D printers, including precise painting. We would love to do some using the equipment, with the CAD (Computer-Aided Design) and CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing).

"We have plans for high end models and sets that are duplicated but not mass produced, with some variations so no two sets are identical. This equipment would be awesome to do it. Cliff, can we get together with you and Manny and talk business?"

"Only if I am part of the crew!" I told them.

"You are a little young to be working."

"I won't be working, just doing what I want to do. I gots'ta, as my hobby."

Terry is now taking over the narrating.

OK, you don't know me yet. I'm Terry Marsted, a twenty-four year old, physically large house father ready for a bunch of these rapscallions, rambunctious youngsters that the others find difficult to handle. I've physically handled many men when needed, and I can still do it if necessary, even those "pretty" muscle boys, Jason and Mike. Don't get me wrong, I am not out to physically control anyone, but we expect to get some boys who are close to gang types that I may have to take down a few pegs, while letting them know they are loved and treated with respect, until they realize that being nice works better than physical force. Being physical is not the way I like to operate and I have training in applied psychology so there will be a discussion and reality check before anything physical. What will be available for any of the young people is hugs, and I can say that for all the staff.

I'm in charge of the Maker facility, along with my wife, and we both are very creative with mechanical things, and love to train young people. Yes, we encourage young ladies to learn skills other than just being a housewife. Let the house mothers teach them to be "proper" ladies and/or housewives, and we will develop usable work skills in them way beyond 'secretary' and 'chief cook and bottle washer'. We will not ignore the young ones who like hobbies, and encourage all of them to do something they enjoy. We will add to the list of hobbies that we currently have. We will detach any 'sex' connection to the hobbies, and talk to the kids when they engage in any female/male based prejudiced.

Along the line of sex, we recommend that the young people wait until they are eighteen to engage in it. Their partner must also be at least eighteen and both must indicate that they want to do it. Any 'no', regardless of how it is presented is there to stop the action. Any coercion will make it rape. Also, no sex of any kind between staff and residents of any age. Residents refers to the young people and the elderly that live here. An age appropriate relationship from prior to becoming a resident or staff can continue.

I love Daffney, my wife, a petite woman, who is also very good with keeping rough boys in line without force, and has defensive skills that will be taught to all the young ones. The two of us live in one of the duplex places with another couple in the other half, Ana and Juan Rodriquez, who are also house parents. And I cook better than Daffney, who loves to clean. She also can design mechanical things better than I do.

I'm traveling to Traverse City to pick up some electronic parts for the maker workshop. JT and his parents are going to go with me there, along with the model builders. JT wants to get more information on hobbies and other things. Generally, I order parts over the Internet, but I could not find the ones I needed listed. I know that's quite unusual, but they are very specialized, and are not currently being manufactured, and I've known a man in T.C. for years who dabbles like we do in building unique and new devices in a home style workshop, and he just may have what we need, or know where to get them. When I called him. he said he knows he had some, but didn't know his stock well enough to be sure of them. He said I was more than welcome to look through his supply, which, he said, was not well organized, especially the older items. I know he has items going back to vacuum tube days.

I arrived at his backyard workshop, and Leo, as the 58 year old Leonard Le Mans is known, greeted me with a hand shake and a hug. He had worked right out of high school in a then major audio electronics manufacturer in Chicago, and worked his way up to engineering, developing some high quality devices. Even though he had become one of the chief engineers, with multiple patents in his own name, when the company was sold the new owners refused to keep him on until he got the degree they insisted on. He told them no, that getting the degrees would take away the freedom of inventiveness by instituting the 'only way to do it' syndrome. And, he countered with the reality that his patents were fully in his name and not company property, and continuing to use them would require payments. The degreed engineers have not come up with anything better than his patents, so now he has payments coming in each month and is able to spend his time developing through tinkering at home, which he fully loves. He continues to create more patents, and JT wants to do that kind of 'playing'. Leo explained to him that in the early days of any kind of work that now requires a degree, the first people had no training and no degrees, yet developed techniques that have only had minor improvements by the degreed people since then.

That isn't to say that getting the degrees is not worth it, but that they will establish a solid background in what the untrained people created, with future improvements, provided the student works around the 'only way to do it'.

Leo claims that "Innovation cannot be taught, but comes from a desire and need."

An example of this is on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vnib2gghvdE,

entitled as "Sixth-Grader Peyton Robertson Wins $25,000 for His Innovative Sandbag Design." The young man obviously had training enough to know about expandable polymers, but making the connection and making it practical took intelligence, need, and a lack of 'that's the way it's always been done' prejudice. His training was also in real science, not the pseudo-science of creationism.

Leo introduced a young guy, Frank, who was a physical helper for him, a guy he discovered who was hitch hiking. Frank Du Bois is neither handsome nor cute, just sort of somewhat average, without movie star looks. He is, like Leo, a tinkerer, and Frank had him go through the stock with me. We found the parts I needed, and in the process Frank was reaching over my shoulder to pull a box off a high shelf, and pressing against me as he did so. After a few times, he was poking me with a large, solid rod.

"What do I have to do to make a horny kid like you go limp? I appreciate the compliment, but this place was not built for sex, and I'm married to a female and not gay."

"First, I'm not a kid, I'm nineteen, and I like older men. But that was caused by physical contact, not desire, though you have a nice body. I've heard about that place you are from, and what you people are doing for both kids and the elderly. Do you think there is even a minor chance I could live or work there?"

"Perhaps. I have spoken with Leo about working within the Maker buildings and helping the teens design and build projects, as an adviser. He would like to, but this stock shack of parts would need to be moved. He offered to be there twice a week to lead classes until arrangements could be made. And I would say that you should go along. Even if we don't have someone now that you can team up with, we probably will have soon. Just make sure you keep your hands and other attachments off the kids, even the gay ones."

Manny taking over the narrating.

They found what we needed, and paid Leo for it, inviting him to come and visit the facility. They told me about what Leo wanted to do, and I let the contractors know that another stock room would be needed. After returning and lunch, I called a meeting with all the young people and the staff.

"Hi, everyone. Did you all enjoy the BBQ yesterday? I think the neighbors had a good time, even though we don't have many play areas set up yet. When you want to say something, wait until the person speaking has finished and then just spout it out. All of your ideas, requests, and complaints are worthwhile. If saying something here is to difficult for you, Cliff and I are also willing to meet privately with any of you to talk about things."

"Volley ball was fun, but it was hard to not step on a youngster when you are going up to return a high flying ball. And the grass stains cotton clothes."

"When we have enough we will organize the games to be size related. We will also build a fenced baseball diamond and courts for basketball, volley ball, tennis, etc. We will not do football because of the much greater danger of physical injuries."

"I approve of you locking up the guns. We don't need anyone getting shot."

"Those that had them got them back when they left. We will keep doing that when the public is here. And staff and residents are also not allowed to have guns on the property."

JT told his story, and introduced his parents. They told what they could about their adventures.

Darren walked around without his crutches to show how well he could use his new foot. "I like it and it doesn't hurt anymore. None of those visitors noticed it yesterday, even though I am not up to the fast running around like Jeremy, but I'm getting there. Thanks to everyone who helped me out, especially the Great Aunts, Helen and Dot."

Germain said: "You all nice. I like it here. Hate the bad people, don't care. We'd run away and I found that big old house. And now you found Stefen, my bro. He's six. Can we stay?"

"Once we find out about your family, we'll do what we can to give you a decent life here."

"We came back here once we found out what you are doing here. My mother, Stella, was a field agent for the Child Care Services back home, and would like to work here in that area, but without the politics." Misty told us.

"We have added an office building, and she has been assigned a space, as have all staff. Some of them have offices in the buildings they work in, such as the shops and resident home parents. We want them to be as much as a home as possible, with all the love and caring we can give.

"And, as always, we do not engage in secrecy. The exception is where outside agencies are asking inappropriate questions. Here, the salaries for everyone is public, and based on the tasks performed as well as the person's ability. Abilities are not equated to female or male, and pay here is never based on sex. And they are always well in excess of any minimum the government sets. Also, your religion is not our business with the exceptions of those that damage kids by any means. We do require medical help where it does help, and will also use ancient techniques such as acupuncture. Those apply to all the companies, not just the home.

"And there are agencies all over Northern Michigan with kids that need a home. We have a large building being built that will be temporary homes for about two hundred. We expect to build a second eventually. They are for those in transition and it will probably be up to us to see that they are not forgotten."

To be continued...

Posted: 08/01/14