Bart and Chris
by: E Walk
(© 2008 by the Author)
 

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Chapter 14
The Interviews

After Zack and I finally got into bed, I rolled against him, “Zack, I don’t know about you, but I am mentally exhausted.  I feel like I have aged  four years over this weekend.  Check my hair to see if it’s turning gray.”

Zack lifted the sheet and turned so he could examine my pubic area and lifted my penis and started to run his fingers through my pubic hair. “Nope, I don’t see any gray hairs, but there sure is some life in this pistol you have here.   Shall we see if we can make it fire?”

He took the appropriate action and the pistol fired, and Zack laughed, “That was a nice round of six shots, Mr. Leavitt.”

I glared at him, “I suppose you’re waiting for me to hum The 1812 Overture so that there will be twelve cannon shots?”

I maneuvered and sure enough the cannons started to fire.  When we were finished, we both were exhausted.  The next thing I remembered was Chris tugging at my arm.  “Dad, it’s almost seven o’clock.  We need to get up or we’ll be late for school.”

I bolted up, “Zack and Chris take your showers together since we didn’t have one last night.  We need to get the farm smells off of us.  I’ll take my shower after I get everyone on their way.  Chris, go tell your brother to get out of bed so he can come help me fix breakfast.”

After Bart and I had gotten everyone on their way. I took my shower.  When Ms. Sweet arrived, I took Bart to get his learner’s permit.  When we came out of the court house, you would have thought he had won a million dollars in the lottery.

He looked at me, “Dad, I can’t believe how my life has changed since I met you, Dad Zack and everyone.   I never thought that life could be this good.  Chris made a wise decision when he came to you.”

When we arrived back at the house, Ms. Sweet was waiting.  She grabbed the test booklet from Bart, “Come on, Kid, we need to make sure that you can understand this.  I’ll teach you how to cheat on the written test, and Mark can teach you the hard part on how to drive safely.  You’ve wasted enough of my time, so let’s get busy.  Mark, we’ll have BLT sandwiches for lunch and make sure you have enough coffee to keep me awake.”

I served the two of them their sandwiches and it was almost two o’clock before they came out of the dining room.  As Ms. Sweet was leaving, she yelled, “Mark, make sure the delinquent is properly dressed tomorrow.  We’re going to take him for an interview at the Academy in the afternoon.”

I looked at the clock, “Bart, go get the clothes we got from the costume shop, so we can return them and pay for the rental before we go pick up the children.”

When we walked into the rental shop Mike was at the counter.  Bart handed the costumes to him, “Mr. Mike, thanks for your help.  My friends really enjoyed the pizza.  How much do I owe you for the rental of the clothes?”

Mike yelled, “Marci, the kid is here and wants to know how much he owes for the costume rental?”

Marci came from the back room, “Honey, you owe us nothing.  You need to see the item in the Letters to the Editor in the morning paper.  Here, let me get it for you.

Marci handed us the newspaper and I read it out loud because I wasn’t sure how much Bart could read.

Dear Editor,

Our sons asked if they could go to a dance at the Pizza Palace on Saturday night.  My wife and I were skeptical but we took them and we stayed to see what was happening.  The band started and some of the young people started to dance with some older people.  It was like a chain reaction.  My wife and I could see nothing wrong, but we decided to stay around for a while.  They had a show where young people were lip synching to some of their favorite singers‘ songs.  The performers all did a credible job.  We were just about ready to leave when the last contestant was announced.  His name was Bart and he came out looking like Elvis Presley.   He didn’t lip synch; he was actually singing.  When he left after singing “You Ain’t Nothing But a Hound Dog” and “Love Me Tender” the young people in the audience were shouting “More. More. More and Viva Elvis.”

Oh yes, I must admit, my wife and I shared a small Canadian bacon pizza while we were there. While I am not an aficionado of pizza but it was quite good 

We spoke to the owners, Mike and Marci, as we were leaving and complimented them on providing a safe environment where the young people could have a good time.

They told us that they were trying to make up for things that had happened in the past.

E. W.

Marci looked at us, “Guys, you owe us nothing.  We hope that Bart will consider working with the band and do a couple of Elvis songs or perhaps some other great singers’ songs.  The young people in the band are really good kids or they wouldn’t be working there.  Bart, we hope to see you Saturday night.  Why don’t you keep the costumes just in case?”

We got to the school a little late and boy were we chastised.  Bobby started on us, “I suppose you have been too busy to fix us a snack again.”

Bart turned to the young people, “We’re so old and feeble that you need to take care of us.  Nano Mark is getting too old to cook and be your slave anymore..

Chris looked at me, “Dad, did you talk to Uncle Tip and Uncle Ty about us getting a puppy?”

Ty’s  four children yelled, “We want a big dog like there was in Peter Pan.”

I decided to be an adversary, “Well, I was thinking more of a little cat.  I don’t think I want a Saint Bernard climbing into bed with any of you, or you would all be crushed.”

I had made a snack so when we got home I checked the work folders and signed them.  I put the spelling word lists on the bulletin board.   I decided to add a couple of words to each of the lists to see what would happen, before I posted them.

After the snack, the children disappeared since none of them had any homework,  Bart approached me, “Dad, I have Steve, the leader of the band on the phone.  Can they come over here to practice tonight so you can meet them.  May I also invite Tory?”

I nodded yes.  “Tell the people to be here about 7:30 so you can get to bed at a reasonable hour.  I can’t imagine that Tory would be permitted to be out much later that 9:00 on a school night.”

After dinner, Bart was pacing back and forth waiting for the band members and Tory to arrived.    Tip looked at Bart, “Bart, just relax.  Everything will work out.  Relax or the band members will be able to immediately see how nervous you are.”

Tory was the first to arrive and Bart visibly relaxed.  The two of them were sitting talking to the children when the band members started to arrive.  The first car with four arrived and when they entered they introduced themselves.  They were followed by three others in another van.  After the introductions, Steve, the leader, asked, “Bart, where can we practice?”

Bart looked at me, but fortunately Ty answered, “Bart, why don’t you practice in the exercise area?  That way you won’t disturb the younger children when they go to bed.”

The band members went to the car and van and got their instruments.  Tory seemed to know some of the people, and Bart and Tory helped to bring in the drum set and the keyboard.  We watched as the two girls and five guys followed Bart and Tory down the steps to the basement.

The door was closed to the basement but we could still hear a little of the music.  I gave the five young children their snacks and got them into bed.  After they were settled, I went down to where the band was practicing.  I was surprised when the band started to play ‘Tonight, Tonight’  from West Side Story and Tory and Bart started to sing a duet.  When the song was finished,  I applauded,  “You all sound wonderful.  Why don’t you take a break and come have a snack and something to drink?  It’s almost time to quit for tonight anyway.”

No one argued and they followed me up the stairs.  We went to the kitchen and I announced, “You have to make your own sundaes while I get you something to drink.”

Steve, who I was to find out was a clown, asked, “Mr. Leavitt, could I please have three cherries in my Roy Rodgers.  They’re so sweet that they cause me to me to get rejuvenated.”

I decided to play Steve’s game, “I’m sorry, Sir. But every extra cherry will cost you a buck.”

I had made hot chocolate and served them each a mug with marshmallows on the top.  As they were eating  their sundaes, they were talking about what they wanted to do on Saturday night at the Pizza Palace.  I suddenly realized that they were already including Bart and Tory in their plans.

I looked at them, “People, I have not given Bart permission to perform with you yet, and I am almost positive that Tory’s parents have no idea what is happening.  Before Bart is going to be permitted to join the band, I need to know more about you.”

Steve looked at me, “Mr. Leavitt, we’re all sophomores and juniors in high school.  We use the money that we can earn on our gigs to supplement our allowances.  Most of us are saving it for when we go to college.  We are all A students.  We know nothing about Bart.  If you would like, we will leave now.”

Bart looked at me and his eyes were starting to water, “Dad, please tell the guys and girls why you wanted to meet them.”

I nodded, “Steve, and the rest of you,  I know that you probably think I’m being a little obnoxious, but Bart has just been through a very difficult time.  I just want to make sure that he isn’t going to be involved in anything that he will regret later.”

The lone African American in the group, who was the drummer, spoke up, “Mr. Leavitt, we don’t do drugs and we don’t smoke if that’s what’s you are concerned about.  Nor are we are going to try to rape Bart.  Some of us need the money to help our parents.  Bart obviously doesn’t; if you can afford to live in a house like this.”

Bart stood up, “Andy, my Dad is an employee here.  He works hard and has to take care of Mr. Jefferson’s four children and my brother as well as me.  I’m being home schooled by Tory’s Grandmother.”

Ty and Tip had come into the kitchen just as Bart was speaking.  Bart saw them and pointed, “These are Dad Mark’s employers, Mr. Tyler Jefferson and Doctor Tipton Washington.”

Andrew stood, “Mr. Jefferson, I’m Andy North.  You used to play with my Dad before he got hurt.”

Ty looked at Andy, “Are you talking about Clark North?”

“Yes sir.”

Ty shook Andy’s hand, “How is your Dad doing since his hunting accident?  I didn’t realize that he was still living in the area.”

Andy nodded, “Mr. Jefferson, he’s not doing very well.  He can’t do much of anything for himself anymore.  One of us needs to be there to help him at all times  I really need to get home so I can help put him to bed.”

Steve stood, “Come on Andy, I’ll take you home.  Bart, can we leave the instruments here until tomorrow after school?”

Ty nodded yes.  I looked at the group, “Why don’t you just leave the instruments here until your next practice session unless you need them for school.  In the meantime, Tory can get her parents’ permission to perform with you.  That will give you another driver if  you need one.”

Steve started to laugh, “You adults are all just little kids dressed in gorilla costumes.  How about we get together Thursday after school?  We might have a gig on Friday night.  As a result of the Letter to the Editor in the paper this morning, a lady called me this afternoon and wanted to book us for some charity event on Friday night.  She is to call me tomorrow and finalize the plans.  I’ll let everyone know what is happening as soon as I know more.”

Steve looked at me, “So is Bart going to be able to join us, Mr. Leavitt?”

I looked at the young people, “I have no problem with him joining you, but I need to clear it with his other Dad before I give my final okay.”

Bart glared at me.  I could almost hear him thinking, ‘Dad, why did you have to say that.’  He didn’t get a chance to say anything because Andy spoke before anyone else could say anything.  “Mr. Leavitt, did you just tell us that you are gay?”

Bart bristled, “Andy, if you have a problem with me having two Dads, then I guess I don’t want to be a part of the group.  Tory has no problem with it.  If it hadn’t been for Dad Mark, Dad Zack, Uncle Tip and Uncle Ty, I might not be standing here tonight.  Just so you know, I have a young brother who is in the third grade.   The people who live here have taken us in and made us feel secure.”

Andy put his arm around Bart, “Man, I didn’t mean to be offensive in the least.  I think it is really cool that Mr. Leavitt would even be willing to share that information with a bunch of teenagers.”

I put my arm around Bart, “People, the only reason I even mentioned it was that if you are going to hanging around our son very much, you  would soon become aware of the relationship between Zack and me.”

“I would really prefer that you call me Mark or Nano Mark instead of Mr. Leavitt.  That makes me feel old and I’m only approximately eight years older than most of you.  I’ll see you all on Thursday when you get here.”

That was a signal for everyone to get ready to depart.  After the other band members and Tory had left, I was taking care of the cleanup when Bart returned and he started, “Dad, I was really rather angry with you a couple of times tonight.  You were saying things that I wasn’t sure you should be saying.  The funny part is that it was as if you knew what you were doing.”

I looked at Bart and hugged him. “Son, I just thought it would be best to let them know up front what I was thinking.  They seem like a neat group of young people.  I particularly like Andy and Steve.”

Our conversation was interrupted by the phone.  Bart answered and handed the phone to me, “Tory’s father would like to speak to you.”

“Good evening, Richard, how can I help you?”

“Mark, what do you know about the young people in the band?  Tory says they are neat people.  I am skeptical because I haven’t met them.”

“Richard, I was really impressed by them tonight while they were here.  They were all very business like and polite.  I get the feeling that they are a really neat group of teenagers.”

Richard wasn’t satisfied, “Mark, Tory has just ended a bad relationship with a guy who was trying to get her to do things that weren’t appropriate for sixteen year olds.  We’re concerned about what’s happening between Tory and Bart.  What kind of example are you and the rest of the people in your house setting for them?”

I was almost about to lose my cool.  I took a couple of deep breaths, “Mr. Sweet, I suggest that you visit with your mother about what is happening in this house.  She spends as much time here as anyone else.  Now, if you will excuse me, I am expecting another call.”

I wanted to slam down the receiver but refrained, “Good night Mr. Sweet.  I’ll talk to you later.”

Bart was standing there watching me, “Dad, relax or you’re going to have a heart attack.  Tory’s dad is just being protective like you.”

I hugged Bart, “Go to bed, Son.  I’ll be up as soon as Dad Zack calls.

Zack finally called and after I related what all had happened, he laughed,  “I guess I’ll need to take another year to get my master’s degree.  I don’t think I’ll be able to take the pressure of being a father.”

“Zack, that’s not funny.  You’re going to be sleeping on the sofa bed this weekend.”

“Markie, relax.  Let Bart sing with the band, but make it clear that if he doesn’t act responsibly he won’t be able to continue.  Now I suggest that you take a nice hot shower and get your pistol recharged for the weekend.  Good night my love.”

To be continued...

Feedback always welcome:     

Editor's Notes:  Well we have ourselves another fine chapter of this heartwarming story. It looks like Bart and Tory are going to be part of the group.  They seem to be a fine upstanding group of young people. I really can't blame Tory’s dad too much for being concerned about her.  She has obviously been through a lot, and she has finally found someone who will treat her with the love and respect that she deserves, but her father really has no way of knowing whether she has found a good person or another loser like the last one was. I think he was a bit harsh toward Mark, but hopefully he will talk to his mother and have his worries reduced by an enormous amount.

I am ready for the next chapter.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 12/12/08