Algeria Here I Come
by: E Walk
(© 2008-2009 by the Author)
 

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Chapter 30

You’re the Boss

As we were walking across the pool deck to go to our suite,  Allie let out a loud belch.  He was so embarrassed and Jim and John started to laugh.  I couldn’t let the opportunity pass, “That’s what you get for stuffing yourself.  The next thing you know, you will be  throwing up.”

Allie giggled, “I’ll save that for when you and Brahim are in bed.  What time do we arrive in Stavanger tomorrow?  Grandpa Darryl said he would have his friend, Tor, show us around.”

“Allie, I haven’t a clue.  We’ll have to check when we get back to the suite.”

When we arrived at the suite, Darryl and Tom were waiting for us with Khalid and Amir.  Dr. Roberts started, “I suppose you have a good excuse for being out so late.  You’re a growing boy and you need you rest.  I’ve been worried to death about you.”

I could almost see a devilish glint in Allie’s eye.  Allie pretended that he we was going to cry.  He put his head on Darryl’s shoulder, “Please don’t be upset with me, Grandpa Darryl, I’ll try to do better next time.”

Darryl decided to play Allie's game, “Well okay, if you promise not to sing anymore.  Tommy and I have headaches from all the awful noise that you and Brahim were making tonight.  I guess everyone stayed to see if it could get any worse, and it did.”

Allie snickered, “I’m glad that you feel that way.  All four of you need to make sure you tell Alan and Capt Brower how bad we were, so they won’t have us sing again.”

Tom put his arm around Allie, “Pay no attention to Darryl.  He’s tone deaf.  You guys were sensational.  I can’t believe you pulled the show together in one afternoon.  How did you remember all of the lyrics?”

Brahim laughed, “Uncle Tom, there was no way that we could learn that many new songs in one afternoon.  We had two teleprompters to assist us with the words.”

Darryl took over, “Guys, you were super.  We had a call from Tor; he is going to meet us at the pier when we dock at eleven.  He suggested that it be a walking tour to see some of the historic sites.  He thought perhaps you young people might enjoy the market area.  There is a street carnival going on.  He wants us to eat near the fish market where we can have some really fresh seafood.”

Allie nodded, “Grandpa Darryl, that’s fine with me.  Remember, this is the first time that I have ever been to these places, so everything is new to me.  Uncle Khalid and Uncle Amir, you’re going to be going with us, aren’t you?”

Amir went to where Allie was standing, “Roommate, try and get rid of us.  We’re going to be sticking to you, as if you were glue.”

The four visitors left and the three boys disappeared into Allie’s bedroom.  When we were in bed, Brahim put his head on my chest, “Ed, I really don’t want to do any more shows.  I’m physically and emotionally drained.  I’m positive that the people wouldn’t come to see us again.”

I pulled Brahim’s face up to mine, “Bra, I love you and will support you in any way that I can, but you need to stop beating yourself up.  Both you and Allie are exceptional young men and I’m fortunate that you belong to me.  Now, go to sleep or I’ll start singing to you.”

Brahim kissed me, “Yes Daddy, but please don’t sing to me or I’ll have nightmares.”

I awoke early and walked out on the veranda, even though I was naked.  I was thinking about what my guys had said last night. ‘Did they really not want to perform again, or were they just overwhelmed by what had happened?’

I was standing at the railing, just looking at the swell of the water when I felt a hand on my back, “Well, isn’t this a nice view to see first thing in the morning.”

I turned around and saw Khalid in a similar state of dress, “Ed, you were so deep in thought that you didn’t even talk to me until I touched you.  Would you like to talk about something.  I hope there aren’t problems between you and Brahim.”

“Khalid, it’s nothing like that at all.  I honestly think that both guys have low self esteem images.  They are both extremely talented.  You heard what Allie said last night.  When Brahim and I were in bed, he was even more emphatic about not wanting to do any more shows.”

“Ed, let’s sit down and talk about what’s happening for just a minute.”

We sat down in two of the lounge chairs, and Khalid continued, “I agree that both of your guys are extremely talented.  I’m thinking that Brahim has had some formal voice training at some time in his life to be able to do what he did last night.  Allie, it appears, has a natural talent, perhaps developed by listening to Brahim sing.”

“As far as them not performing again, you need to let them handle that.  If any of us intervened, they would perhaps think we were trying to control their lives.  You will find out that when you get back to Houston, life isn’t always a bowl full of cherries.  You and Brahim are going to have some brick walls that you will need to knock down.”

Our conversation was interrupted by Allie, “Is that the dress code for the day?  I didn’t realize that Stavanger was a nudist colony.  Dad, you will need lots of sun block on little Eddie.  I’ll go make sure Grandpa Darryl and Uncle Tom are up while you people wake the other people, and don’t play in the shower too long.  I’m starved.”

Khalid and I looked at each other and laughed.  We went to make sure our cabin mates were up.  I could hear Jim and John talking.  One of them was saying, “I wish our Dad would treat us like Mr. Waller treats Allie.  Mr. Waller isn’t always saying, we’ll talk about things like that later.”

“Yeah, Dad would probably go to the bathroom in his pants if he could see how these people don’t try to hide their cocks and balls from us.  Dad treats us as if we were little kids.”

When everyone had  assembled in our suite and went to the dining room.  The Hobbs and the Summers were already at the table.  We had just taken our seats when Kate and JoJo arrived.  That meant our table was completely full. 

Jacob and Carlos served us our juice and coffee and fresh fruit compote and some sweet rolls.  Jacob announced, “We figured that the Safi Brothers would need something to munch on while they decide what they would like for breakfast.  By the way, gentlemen, you were great last night.”

That got Allie’s attention, “Were you at the show?”

Jacob was so nonchalant, “Of course not, we peons never get to watch the shows in person unless we are a bar server.  Usually the shows are so bad that we never watch them anyway.”

Carlos decided to join in the fun, “I’ll have to say this, the makeup people sure made you two look good last night.  No one will be able to recognize you today.”

Allie was puzzled, “We didn’t have any make up on.  How did you two see us anyway if you weren’t at the show?”

Jacob laughed, “Easy my dear Allie, we watched you and your brother wow the audience on television.”

Brahim asked, “What television?”

Jacob answered, “Every show and most of the guest lecturers like Dr. Roberts’ presentations are taped and broadcast on the ship’s television channel.  Good shows, like what the two of you did last evening, will air two or three times so that anyone who might have missed them will have the opportunity to see them.  Now what would you like for your main course?” 

Jacob started with Mrs. Hobbs and started around the table.  When he got Allie, Allie looked at Brahim, “Is it okay for me to have a ham and cheese omelet?”

 

Everyone was watching to see what Brahim would say.  I was so proud of Bra for the way he responded, “I’ll have one, if you have one.”

Our meals arrived and Josef and Carlos had some of the other waiters helping them.  I’ll never understand how they could not mix up someone’s orders.

We were eating when the melee started when two elderly ladies stopped at the table and one of them spoke, “Allie and Brahim, you young men certainly are talented.  You must have had a lot of musical training.  We are looking forward to seeing your next performance.  You put your hearts into the show and it seemed so natural.  Not like some of the other routines that you see on cruise ships.  Have a good day.”

Allie and Brahim were both looking around to see what everyone’s reaction would be, but no one said a thing.  Before we finished eating breakfast, the scene was repeated by at least ten more couples stopping to talk to the guys. 

Just as we were finishing out meal, Lars and Liv came in, “What are your plans for today?”

Allie answered, “Grandpa Darryl has arranged for a friend of his to meet us.  It sounds as if he has the day pretty well planned.  Why did you ask?”

 

Lars answered, “We had such a good time in Oslo with you and thought perhaps you might need some escorts to take you around Stavanger.  We’ll catch up with you tomorrow.  You two were awesome last night.”

As we were leaving the dining room, Allie asked, “Dad, can we just go back to the suite and watch as we dock?  I don’t want to talk to anyone else, right now.”

“Of course, son.”

I was surprised when Scott asked, “Would it be okay if Angela and I joined you today?”

Allie answered, “Of course, it’s going to be a walking tour, but bring lots of money since we are going to see a street carnival, whatever that is, and we’re going to be eating a whale.”

When we docked we met everyone in the atrium, by the waterfall.  We made our way to the exit point and we saw a handsome young man of about 30, standing with a sign that said, ‘Roberts party’.

Darryl went up to the young man, “Tor, I’m Darryl.  I would like for you to meet my friends who will be going with us on the tour, if you don’t mind.”

After Darryl had introduced us and Tor had shaken everyone’s hand, he looked at Allie, “I understand that you’re the boss of this crowd.  Shall we get started?”

 

Allie took Tor’s hand, “Mr. Tor, don’t believe a word of what anyone says.  I’m the youngest person here.  Do you live here?”

“Yep, what would like to do first.”

 

Allie shrugged his shoulders, “I don’t think any of us has been here before.  So why don’t you show us what you think we should see?” 

Tor took us to see the domkirke (cathedral) of Stavanger,  he explained, “This is the oldest cathedral in all of Norway.  It is unique.”

Allie asked a question, “What religion do the people of Norway follow?”

Tor was taken aback by the question, “Most Norwegian say they are Evangelical Lutherans.”

We went into the cathedral and Allie looked around at everything.  He must have sensed that Jim and John were bored, because he went to Tor and suggested, “Mr. Tor, why don’t we go eat.  We’re getting hungry.”

I watched as Tor and Allie walked beside each other and I could see them talking.  I would have loved to have been able to hear what they were saying.

When we got to the harbor area, there were a number of fish restaurants.  Tor asked, “Does anyone have a preference where we eat?”

Darryl answered for us, “Tor, this is your territory.  Which restaurant would you recommend.?”

Allie looked at Tor, “What about that restaurant over there where we could eat outside and watch the people in the market area?”

Tor laughed, “Allie, you must have been reading my mind.  That’s one of the restaurants that I would have recommended.  They do have very good food, and it’s a perfect day for sitting outside.”

We had a great meal and it was fun watching the people as Allie had suggested.  Sitting where people could see us had its drawback though.  Passengers from the ship who were passing by would comment on the boys' performance.  Tor couldn’t stand it anymore,  “Would someone please tell me why everyone keeps stopping to talk to Allie and Brahim?” 

Darryl was sitting beside Tor and explained why people recognized the guys.  Tor started to laugh, “Well, why didn’t you warn me that I was going to escorting two celebrities?  I could have scheduled you to meet some dignitaries.”

Allie heard what he said, “Mr. Tor, we would much rather just meet the real people.  Are we going to be able to talk to any young kids like us, today?”

Tor grinned, “As a matter of fact, that's why I scheduled us to go to the Street Carnival.”

After lunch, which was great, Tor and Allie led us to a street that was blocked off where vendors were selling all kinds of crafts at one end, and at the other end were stands with all kinds of games for young people.  The street was packed with people.  

Allie came to where Brahim and I were standing, “Dad, can Jim, John and I borrow some money so we can play some games?”

I looked at Tor, “Will they accept U. S. dollars?”

“I’m sure they will.  The boys will need to buy tickets at the ticket booth, and I’m positive that they would be more than willing to accept U. S. dollars.”

As I was pulling out the money Allie asked, “Mr. Tor, how did you learn to speak English so well.”

Tor started to laugh, “Isn’t that a strange question to be coming from you?  It is I who should be asking how you learned to speak English so well?”

I handed the guys each ten dollars, and Tor accompanied them to the booth; they had no problem getting the tickets.  I watched as Amir and Khalid went with the boys, so I decided that they weren‘t going to let anything happen to Allie.  Tor, Darryl and Tom were sitting on a bench visiting.  I turned to the Summers, “I  guess you got the boring job of making sure that Bra and I don’t get into trouble.”

Scott laughed, “Guys, we got the easy job.  After what happened to Allie at the pool, it seems as if the bad guys have a personal vendetta against him.”

“Scott, you aren’t serious, are you?”

“Ed, we’re very serious.  Which of you is the most recognizable?  Which of you has been responsible for taking out some of the would be assassins?”

I shuddered, “Scott, you’re scaring me.  What are you suggesting that we should do?”

“Right now, the three of you are being watched at all times when you are not in your cabin while you are on the ship.  You and Brahim have had people following you all the time when you are on the ship, as well as Allie.”

“Are you're saying that we’re jeopardizing Kate, JoJo, Jim and John by our presence?”

Angela answered, “Quite the contrary;  when those people are with you, the adversaries are much less likely to try anything.  I think that is evidenced by what happened at the pool.  They still haven’t recognized the fact that General Khalid and General Amir are watching out for you.”

We walked to the area of the games, and Allie, Jim and John were sitting on a grassy area at the side of the street.  They were talking and laughing with three other boys about their age.  Allie looked up and saw us, “That’s my Dad and my brother, Brahim.  The two ladies with them are Miss Kate and Miss JoJo.  The other couple are Mr. and Mrs Summers.”

“Dad, you really should try one of these reindeer burgers.  They’re great!”

The young guys went back to talking and Khalid informed us, “I hate to tell you this, but Allie is one of a kind.  He won several prizes from the games the guys played.  He gave a stuffed animal to a little boy in a wheel chair and chatted with him.  Whatever he won, he would give to some little child.”

We were joined by the rest of party and Tor announced, “We need to head to the ship, if you are going to be on time to sail.”

I watched as the boys said goodbye to their new friends.  We joined up and started walking toward the Paradise and Tor was explaining the things that we were seeing.  When we got to the check point, Tor hugged Allie and the other two boys. As he was shaking my hand, he whispered, “Ed, you have a special young man in that one.  I can’t believe he is only ten.  He asked some very thoughtful questions.  You and Brahim are lucky to have him.  Darryl is ready to kidnap him.”

To be continued...

Editor's Notes:  I would take Allie home, in a heartbeat.  He is very special. Of course I would never take him away from his new dad and his brother. 

It was nice to see that no one was attacked this time.   Everyone seems to be very protective or our heroes. 

I wonder what will happen next time.  I can hardly wait for the next chapter.

Darryl The Radio Rancher

Posted: 06/05/09