The ‘den’ Triplets
by: E Walk
(© 2009-2011 by the Author)
 

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Chapter 20

The Reunion

On Wednesday morning, the boys had us up by six.  Kaden was really complaining.  Todd went to get the boys' food ready while I changed them.  I was taking the first two boys downstairs when  Mom arrived.  She looked at the two boys I was carrying, “I’ll go get Jaden.”

We were feeding the boys when Mr. Stodola walked in, “Good morning, Linda and guys, I just stopped over to tell you that we’re going to be leaving this morning.  I received a call from the office and my presence is required.  Why don’t the six of you plan to come to St. Joseph on Friday and spend the weekend?”

Mother surprised me, “Jerry, we’ll take you up on your offer.  I’ll make arrangements to have someone cover my practice for the weekend.  I have enough IOUs that it shouldn’t be too difficult to find someone to cover for me.  We’ll plan to leave here about four in the afternoon on Friday, so we can get in before it gets too late.  If the weather forecast doesn’t look to good, we may have to take a rain check.”

After Mr. Stodola had departed, I jumped my Mother’s case. “Mom, wouldn’t it have been better if you had checked with us before you committed us to going.  What if we had had plans for the weekend?”

Mom frowned, “Well, did you have plans for the weekend?”

“No.”

“Well then what are you complaining about.  Maude wants to show off her three grandsons.  They’re the only ones that she has.”

Todd laughed, “Mom Naylor, my older sister had five kids.  So how can you say that Aiden, Jaden and Kaden are the only grandkids my parents have?”

“I’m just telling you what Maude said.  If your parents have other grandchildren, why were they practically smothering the triplets?  What’s for breakfast?”

Todd went to the oven and took out a pan of hot cinnamon rolls, “There’s juice in the fridge. This should keep you until lunch.”

As Mother was leaving, she pointed a finger at us, “We’ll leave here at four for St. Joseph, on Friday.  Mike, you can afford to take two hours off.  Todd, it’s about time you were reunited with your family.  I’m only going, in case it gets too dicey, then you can use me as a reason to leave.”

After Mother had departed, I looked at Todd, “What does my Mother know that we don’t know?  I can’t remember the last time she took a weekend off.”

Todd shrugged his shoulders, “I’ve been trying to figure out why my parents, especially my father, have been so attentive.  He threw me out eight years ago and now he’s practically ordering us back into their lives.  I can’t believe it’s just the triplets.  There has got to be some other reasons for Dad to be acting like this.  I wish I knew what they were.”

The rest of the week was like a blur.  I had warned David, Jeff and Jacob that I was leaving on Friday at three thirty, and not to schedule any appointments after two.

As we were driving to St. Joseph, Todd was commiserating, “Why is it so important that we visit my parents so soon after we’ve just seen them.  I mean after they threw me out eight years ago, I have not even talked to my Dad since then, why is it so urgent that we go to St. Joseph this weekend?”

Mother was trying to be the mediator, “Todd, maybe your father had a change of heart and wants to prove it.  I know your mother mentioned that he has had second thoughts about giving you the boot.”

I had a sudden thought, ‘I will not let Mr. and Mrs. Stodola try to take charge of our lives so they can claim the three boys.’

As we were traveling south on I 35 and approaching St. Joseph, Todd remarked.  “Don’t expect the fanciest house in town.  My parents have lived in the same house for almost forty years.  I have no idea what to expect, since I haven’t been back in eight years.”

Mom spoke up, “Maude told me that they had done a lot of work on the house.  I’m sure we will be fine, or they wouldn’t have invited us to spend the weekend.”

When we arrived in a well maintained neighborhood, Todd directed us to his parents’ house.  Todd looked around, “This is where I thought we lived.  The house doesn’t look the same.  They either painted it, or sided it.  I can’t imagine Dad painting it since he’s acrophobic.”

Mom laughed, “Maybe your Mother painted the house.”

Todd shook his head, “Not likely.  She tried to paint the living room when I was young, and made such a mess that Dad forbade her to ever use a paint bush again.”

When we pulled into the driveway, both Mrs. and Mr. Stodola came out of the house and helped us take the boys inside.  They each took one of the triplets and Mother and took the third one.  Todd and I took the things for the triplets into the house first.  Mother Stodola took the bag with the boys' food and necessities and started to fix the boys something to eat.  She ordered, “Linda will be staying in the room at the top of the steps which used to be Lorelei’s room, so she can have a private bath.”

Todd responded, “Since when does that room have a private bath?”

Dad Jerry shrugged his shoulders, “It’s not exactly a bath.  It has private facilities with a shower.  You guys can sleep in Todd’s old room, and we have Davon’s old room fixed for the boys.  That way you won’t have to get dressed to take care of them.  You can slip through the bathroom that adjoins the two rooms.”

Todd started to laugh, “To think that I lived here all those years and we had to fight over the one bathroom.  Of course, I was always the last to get to use the bathroom in the morning, and the first at night.  When are Lorelei and Davon arriving?”

Mom Stodola answered, “Lorelei and her friend will be here on Sunday.  Davon and his wife said they would try to come visit tomorrow.”

Todd stopped what he was doing, “What happened to Lorelei’s husband, Archer?  Where are their five kids?”

Dad Stodola answered, “He dumped Lorelei when he found out what a tramp she was.  Archie was awarded custody of the kids at the divorce hearing, and he has moved to Oregon with them.  We  haven’t seen the grandkids for five years.”

I broke up the discussion, “Todd, let’s get the luggage to the rooms and set up the boys' room so we can change them after they eat.”

Mom Stodola looked at the clock, “We’ll be eating in about thirty minutes.”

The boys sat in their seats while we were eating dinner.  Mom Stodola announced, “This shepherd’s pie used to be one of Todd’s favorite meals.  It’s been a long time since I’ve fixed it.”

My Mother commented, “Maude, this is unlike any shepherd’s pie that I’ve ever eaten.  It’s not as heavy as most recipes for shepherd’s pie are.”

Mrs. Stodola grinned, “I sort of cheat and don’t add all the potatoes the recipe calls for.  I add a few canned biscuits to make it seem like a lot more than it is.  It makes for less leftovers.”

Todd had been looking around, “Dad and Mom, you’ve done a huge amount of work on the house.  Are you planning to retire and move?”

Dad Stodola answered, “That was our initial thought when we started to remodel, but we decided that this is where we could retire and not be faced with a mortgage payment.  It was as if everyone in the neighborhood had the same idea and stayed put as well.  If a house should go on the market in this area, it is snatched up within a day or two.  There are other areas of the city where houses sit for months before they sell.”

After dinner, Todd and I did the dishes while the three grandparents took care of the boys.  They were having a good time watching the three boys react so differently to the cereal and the pears.  Dad was laughing, “Kaden’s mouth is going like more, more, more.  Jaden couldn't care less and isn’t really interested and Aiden takes what he’s offered.  It will be interesting to watch them develop.”

On Saturday morning, the boys started to fuss about six o’clock.  I went to fix their food while Todd changed their diapers.  They were eating when Dad Stodola came into the kitchen, wearing only his boxer shorts.  Todd frowned, “Dad, there are some ladies in the house.  Shouldn’t you be wearing some more clothes?”

“Todd, don’t be such a prude.  I’m sure that Linda has seen more of the male anatomy than what I’m showing, since she had a son.  The three boys could care less how I’m dressed.  If it will make you happy, I’ll go put on some pajama bottoms.”

My mother was standing in the doorway. “Jerry, you don’t need to worry about offending me.  Let’s finish feeding the boys, so Todd and Mike can fix us some breakfast.”

We were just about finished fixing breakfast when Todd’s mother appeared, “Jerry, what are you doing parading around the house in your shorts?  We have company.”

Mother chuckled, “Maude, don’t worry.  Jerry doesn’t turn me on, so you’re safe.”

After everyone was decent and the boys were asleep, Todd’s parents showed us around the house to see what remodeling they had done.  I looked at the Stodolas, I can understand why you decided not to move.  You were really smart to make a bedroom on the first floor so you won’t have to go up the stairs.”

It was about two o’clock when things started to get interesting.  Davon and his wife Glory arrived.  I felt like I was being scrutinized from head to foot.  Other than the introductions, nothing was said.  Todd and I went to take care of the boys and Davon followed us into the dining room where the boys had been sleeping on the table. 

Davon looked at them and then at Todd, “Why are the parents so proud of these three brats.  They aren’t yours.  To hear the rents talk, you and Mike are a perfect couple.  What is it that you do, Mike?  Are you a salesman?”

Todd was about to throw a punch.  I held his arm and answered, “Mr. Stodola, for your information, I’m a lawyer.  Do you have a problem with Todd and I being more than just friends?  It sounds to me as if you are the one in this family who is prejudice.  Your parents seem to have no problem.”

“The rents are getting old and senile.  Look at all the money they spent on remodeling this house when they should have been saving it for us kids.”

My mouth must have been open, because Davon asked, “Do you have something to say, white boy?  I see you brought your mommy with you to protect you and your brats.”

Todd threw the punch and Davon wound up on the seat of his pants.  Todd went and stood over him.  “Davon, shut you filthy mouth.  All you’ve ever done is be able to hold on by the edge of your teeth.  Dad told me that he was finished paying for your and Glory’s problems.  You kept promising that you were going to have some children, for more than ten years.  Is Glory frigid or are you a homosexual?”

Dad Stodola was standing in the doorway laughing, “Todd, those were good guesses, but they are both wrong.  Davon has been shooting blanks, trying to get Glory pregnant.” 

“I heard what Davon said about the remodeling and trust me, it was because of his constant badgering us that your mother and I decided to go whole hog, so to speak, and do the works.  We raised you three children and I guess we didn’t do a very good job, especially when it time for you to became responsible for earning your own way.  Both Davon and Lorelei have borrowed all that they are going to borrow from your Mother and me.  It’s about time that they become responsible adults.”

Davon was still sitting on his butt when Glory came in. “What happened to you, Davon?  Did your mouth get you in trouble again.  Get your ass off the floor.  We need to go, so I can be at work on time.  It was nice meeting you, Mike, and good to see you again Todd.  We’ll be back tomorrow, for one of the Stodola family peaceful meals.  Make sure you bring lots of Tums.”

The rest of Saturday was quiet.  On Sunday morning, I asked, “Is anyone going to church?”

Dad Stodola answered, “Mike, I don’t think you would like the church where we usually go.  It’s a fundamentalist church and there is a lot of Amen and Praise the Lord said throughout the service.”

Mother had a funny look on her face, “Jerry, are you saying that the people who attend would be prejudiced against us?”

Mr. Stodola had to think, “Linda, I don’t think that prejudiced is the right word.  They wouldn’t know how to react to seeing white people among them.  Many of the people still work as menial laborers and don’t really trust new people of any color, because they think they will try to pull the wool over their eyes.”

Mrs. Stodola suggested, “There’s a Presbyterian church nearby where we could go without causing too much turmoil.  In fact, that’s where we would go, if some of our old friends wouldn’t take it as an affront.”

We went to church and we were warmly greeted and it was definitely a congregation of many colors.  After hearing the pastor, I could definitely understand why he would appeal to many different nationalities.

When we arrived at the house, Lorelei and her friend, Clint Baxter were already there.  After the introductions, Lorelei started on me, “Mr. Naylor, what is it you do for a living, or are you living off the money that Todd makes as a nurse.”

“Lorelei, for your information, I’m a rather successful lawyer and my mother is a very successful obstetrician.  Todd is my triplets' nurse, and I pay him for his work.   What is it that you do?”

Mr. Baxter had a smirk on his face, “She’s my nurse and takes care of me and several other gentlemen who have to pay for her services.”

I took a depth breath, “So, you’re saying she’s a hooker.”

Mr. Baxter grinned, “If that’s what you want to call hooker.  It is no different from someone who is homosexual and gives their favors away when they could be making money.

Mrs. Stodola had fixed a turkey on the rotisserie with all the trimmings.  When we were seated, I complimented Mrs. Stodola, “Everything smells so good.”  

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“I’m sure Lorelei and the others will have something negative to say.  They always do; they would prefer that we start with a shrimp cocktail, then they won’t eat there meal”

Sure enough, Lorelei and Davon complained the entire meal.  Todd grinned, “I guess I was lucky to be excommunicated for eight years.  I sure don’t need to listen to you complain all the time.  While the triplets aren’t mine, they are as close as this family is going to have grandchildren.  When they are older, they will not be anxious to come to Grandpa and Grandma Stodolas, if Uncle Davon and Aunt Lorelei. are going to be here.”

Fortunately the two couples had to leave as soon as dinner was over.  They didn’t even bother to take their dishes to the kitchen.  Todd and I did the clean up, while the grandparents spoiled the triplets and called some friends in to see them.  The people knew Todd, so they came to congratulate us on the fine boys.

Mother received a call about four o’clock.  When she hung up, she announced, “Guys, we need to leave as soon as possible.  It seems that there is an epidemic of babies being born this weekend and they’re short handed back there.”

It took us only a few minutes to get the van loaded and we were headed north on I 35.  When I arrived in town, we took Mother to Methodist hospital where she was needed.  I informed her that we would bring her car and park it in the staff area.

She looked through her purse, “I have my extra set of keys, so it shouldn’t be a problem.

As she was leaving, “It was an enjoyable weekend with your parents, Todd.  It’s too bad we can't say the same thing for your brother and sister and their friends. 

To be continued...

Editor's Notes:  I kinda like Todd's parents, at least for now.  They seem to have woke up and smelled the coffee. I think they are about fed up with their other kids.  Todd's siblings seem to be quite full of themselves, and also quite spiteful and hateful to Todd. Even  Lorelei's boyfriend, saw through her act, and knew exactly what she was.  Davon's wife was not overly kind to him, either. 

I suspect that, sooner or later, the parents are going to put their feet down and inform the snotty young people, that if they don't improve their manners, they won't be invited back for meals, any time soon.

It is very nice that Todd and Mike get along so well. They both make great dads for the triplets.

I strongly suspect that Todd's siblings are going to try to say that the parents are getting senile, and that they deserve to get control of their parents' money.  I have the feeling that Mike might just have something to say about that.  I certainly hope Mike will be able to put them in their places.  I can hardly wait for the next chapter, to find out what will happen next.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 02/04/11