Bart and Chris
by: E Walk
(© 2009 by the Author)
 

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Chapter 26
Should I or Shouldn’t I

I was awakened the next morning by Chris, “Dad, get up, now!”

“I’m too tired.”

Chris wasn’t having any of it, “Dad, I had a nightmare again last night.”

That got my attention and I sat up on my elbows, “What was it about this time?”

Chris jumped on me where it hurt, “I dreamed that me and Bart were going to tie you to the bed and tickle you until you screamed uncle.  Then we were going to kiss you until you were going to get up and go running with us.  Bart, did you find any rope?”

I rolled over and was pretending I was crushing Chris.  Chris started to yell, “Bart, help!  Dad’s hurting me!  Come save me!”

Bart came into the room in his running shorts.  He started to pretend as if he was hitting me.  “Stop hurting my little brother, you big brute.”

I turned around grabbed Bart and pushed him on the bed beside his brother and had them both pinned to the bed, “Listen to me, you brats, if you ever threaten to tickle me again, I’ll confine you to your rooms forever.  Now give me a kiss, so I can have the strength to get dressed and go running after taming you two monsters.”

I stood up and Chris jumped into my arms and hugged me as tight as he could.  He had his legs laced are my waist.  He put his face against my face and kissed me, “Daddy, I promise I’ll be nice.  Please put me down.”

I did and Bart held my face and kissed me, “Dad, I love you.  I’ll try very hard to not do anything to upset or embarrass you and Dad Zack.”

I held him as tight as I could, “Son, we love you, too.  There may be times when we don’t agree on some things, but we need to sit down and resolve any problems rather than get upset.  We will probably tell or ask you to do things that you won’t like or want to do, but I promise you that we will have a reason for doing so.  If we’re going to go run, we need to leave quickly.”

As we were returning to the house, a car was pulling up.  It was Steve’s car.  ‘What is Steve doing here at this time of day?’  Not only was Steve getting out of the car, but a Andy was with him.  ‘I hope there isn’t a problem.’

When the guys saw us coming, they started toward us.  Chris ran to them and hugged them, “Thanks for not letting our Daddy get hurt.” 

I looked at them “Hi guys, I’m surprised to see you this early in the morning.  Come on in the house while we fix breakfast.  You must have something on your minds.  We can talk while Bart and Chris get dressed.”

I could tell that Bart wanted to hear what Steve and Andy had to say.  I decided that since I had no idea what they wanted to talk about, they might prefer that he not hear.

I started to make French toast, “Okay, what did you have to talk to me about that is so urgent?”

Andy started,  “Nano Mark, we wanted to thank you for what you did for us last night.  Officers Lacey and Nelson called us and told us we would each be receiving $50,000.00 for the capture of the two thugs yesterday.  They said that you told them that it was us who deserved the reward and not you.”

Steve added, “Nano Mark, we’re totally embarrassed by the article in this mornings paper.  We’ll probably have more job offers than we can ever take care of.  We need to go home and eat breakfast.  Can we talk again after the band practices here after school?”

I grinned, “I don’t know why not, as long as no one has any guns.”

The two visitors left and everyone started to surface.  As we were eating, I looked at Bart, “Bart, you need to drive the children to school, today.  I need to get dressed since Barbie and I have an errand to run as soon as Mrs. Sweet arrives.”

I looked at everyone, “We need to plan a big party for Zack next weekend to celebrate his graduation.  Think of something special that we could do that no one else has ever done before.  We’ll talk about this tomorrow after everyone has had time to think about it.”

Barbie and I went to The Gentlemen’s Collection shop so I could get fitted for my Tux.   I took Barbie to the Build a Bear Store so she could make her own bear.  She decided she wanted to make one for Becky, and Billy.   I suggested that she make one for Chris and Bobby as well, so they wouldn’t feel neglected.

By the time we had the five bears made, dressed and named, it was nearly lunch time.  After lunch, Bart announced that he was going to mow the lawn.  I decided to go to school for the afternoon and spend some time in the children’s rooms since I wouldn’t be able to go in the morning anymore, now that we had stopped the play group.

When I left, Barbie had the five bears lined up and was playing school with them.  Bart assured me that he wouldn’t let anything happen to her.  Since I hadn’t told the children I was coming, they were surprised to see me.

I spent approximately 45 minutes in each of the classrooms and as I was walking out of the building with Billy, the principal, Mrs. Plummer, approached me, “Mark, all of the Jefferson children will be in school next year, will they not?”

“Yes ma’am, why do you ask?”

“I was hoping that you might come to work here next year.”

“Mrs. Plummer, I already have a full time job, as you well know.”

“Mark, don’t ‘bs’ me.  When Barbie starts school next year, you’ll be bored out of your gourd.  You’ll probably be spending a lot of time here anyway, so why not get paid for it?”

“Mrs. Plummer, I need to go.  The other children are waiting for us.  Let me talk to my employer and Zack, and I’ll stop in to talk with you tomorrow morning when I bring the children, to discuss what you might expect of me.”

“Mark, thanks.  You have done wonders with Chris.  See you tomorrow morning.”

When we arrived at the house, Barbie ran toward me and I was sure something had happened.  She motioned for me to pick her up and she whispered in my ear, “Nano Mark, don’t tell the others about the bears.  I wanna surprise them.”

I whispered, “Okay, I won’t say a word about them.”

Bart had fixed snacks and he was telling the other children that they could help him finish the back yard after the band practiced, if they wanted to.

The four children did their homework while Barbie was coloring at the kitchen table.  I started dinner and went into the dining room to check something.  The five bears were sitting where each of the five children sat.  Bart must have helped because the table was already set.  ‘I wonder whose idea this was?’

The five youngest were playing in the back yard when the band members started to leave.  Bart walked Tory to her car and the last two people to come up the steps were Andy and Steve.  They came to where I was working and stood on either side of me. 

Steve started, “Nano Mark, ever since we met Bart, you and Zack, our lives have changed so much.”

Andy surprised me, “Mark, I feel good about myself for the first time in a long time.  I feel as if I am going to be able to make a difference later, and it's primarily because you and Zack have treated us as if we were adults.”  He leaned toward me and hugged me and kissed me.

I didn’t say anything, but I did return his hug.  Steve then did the same thing.   As I was hugging Steve, Bart walked into the kitchen, “What’s going on in here.  Are you trying to seduce my Dad?”

Andy laughed, “No, we’re going to abduct him like those creeps were going to do to you and Chris.  I sure hope you have lots of money.”

Bart started to walk away, “Go ahead.   Nobody will miss him much.  But you better beware, the posse that is playing in the back yard will hunt you down.  Dad, I need to finish the yard.  Call us if you need us.  See you tomorrow after school, guys.”

Bart went into the garage and I heard him start the lawn mower.  Steve asked, “You sure it’s okay for us to practice here?”

“Guys, you heard what Mr. Washington and Mr. Jefferson said.  Of course it’s okay.”

The young people were still working in the back yard when Ty arrived, “Mark, when you talk to Zack tonight, see if he can be home early on Friday.  I was able to get a hearing to have Mr. Winters assets turned over to the boys with you and Zack as their executors.  The hearing time is at 2:30, before Judge Evans.  I figured he is already favorably disposed toward the boys, in light of the previous encounter.”

I nodded, “Ty, I’m positive that Zack will be here if it is at all possible.  I also have something to discuss with you and Tip, tonight.”

“Where are the children, anyway?”

I looked at the clock, “The last I saw them,  they were in the back yard.  Bart was mowing.”

Ty looked at me funny, “Mark, I haven’t heard the lawn mower since I got home.”

We walked out onto the deck just in time to see the five youngest picking up the last of the branches that Bart had trimmed.  We heard him say, “Great job, troops.  Bobby, please take these clippers to the garage while I put the trash barrels out for the garbage men tomorrow.  I’ll pay you after dinner. You need to go wash your hands for dinner.  One of your Dads is home.”

Ty turned to me, “Why is he paying the children?”

I motioned for him to follow me inside, “Ty, I honestly don’t know, but please don’t say anything.  Let the story come out naturally.  There must be a reason.  I’m positive that there is nothing bad happening.”

Tip arrived home just as the children were coming in from washing there hands.  Barbie crawled up at the kitchen table, “We gotta eat in here tonight.  Somebody’s sitting at the other table in our places.”

Billy looked at me, “Nano Mark, are we having company?”

“Billy, I don’t know.  You need to check with Barbie.”

Barbie jumped down from her chair, “Yep, you gotta go see ‘em.”

The other four children, Tip and Ty followed Barbie into the dining room.  Barbie pointed, “See, I told you, someone was sitting in our chairs.”

Tip and Ty turned to me and I shook my head and pointed to Bart and Barbie,

Bart explained, “While Mark was at the children’s school this afternoon, I read ‘Goldilocks and the Three Bears’ to Barbie.  She decided that she wanted to pretend like the new bears were eating the children’s food.”

I looked at Tip and Ty, “I don’t think anyone can of accuse your children of not having creative imaginations.  Why don’t you have everyone get seated while Bart and I bring the food.”

When Bart and I carried the food in to the table, the five bears were lined up on the buffet by the age of their owners.  As we finished dinner, Bart asked, “Please, may I be excused?  Everyone please stay in your seats until I return.”

Ty nodded yes and Bart disappeared.  When he returned he handed each of the children a five dollar bill, “Here you go, and thanks very much for your help this afternoon.  Put the money in your piggy banks until you have enough money to buy something special.  Put your money in your pockets for now and take your dishes to the kitchen, please.”

Tip looked at me, “Mark, it appears that you have created a clone.  Bart, sounds more and more like you every day.”

Bobby came in and got the rest of the dishes.  I decided that this would be a good time to tell Tip and Ty about my encounter with Dr. Plummer.

Ty responded immediately, “Mark, I think that you should do it.  We’ve seen what you have done for my four children and your two sons.  I agree with Mrs. Plummer, why not get paid for what you are doing?”

Tip said, “I agree with Ty,  I’m sure you can juggle the two jobs and still take care of our little brother.”

Tip’s comment broke me up, “Guys, I hate to tell you this, but your little brother ain’t so little anymore.  I’ll talk to Zack tonight and then with Mrs. Plummer tomorrow, to see exactly what the job might entail, but I will not work full time there, because there are too many things that our children are going to need to have help with.  They need someone here when they get home from school.”

We were interrupted by the children coming to get their bears.  I followed as Tip and Ty walked into the kitchen where Bart was wiping the counter tops.  Ty pointed at Bart, “Bart, why did you think it necessary to pay the young people for helping you.”

Bart didn’t back down, “Uncle Ty, they worked hard and I figured that if I would give them a token payment for their work, they would be more willing to help when I really needed their help.  Besides, why do I need the money?  I’m never allowed to pay for anything.”

Ty continued, “Bart, can we at least pay you for the work that you have done?”

Bart stood firm, “Uncle Tip and Uncle Ty, the little that I do around here doesn’t even begin to pay for the fact that Chris and I live here and do not have to pay rent or food.”

Fortunately our conversation was interrupted by the phone, Ty answered and turned to Tip, “A Mrs. Carrigan is on her way to the hospital.  Your presence is requested.”

Tip departed as did Ty and Bart.

I decided to call Zack and see if he was at his apartment.  He answered on the second ring, “This is Zack Jackson.”

“Hi Zackie, I was wondering if you would like to play?  Are you standing or sitting?”

“Neither, I just took a shower and I’m lying on my bed naked playing with my shotgun, thinking about you.”

“Oh dear, what are you going to do with the shotgun?”

“I was hoping that you could relieve the pressure I’m feeling by releasing your arrow and hitting the bull’s-eye.”

“Zack, I promise we’ll practice on that this weekend.  I have two serious matters to discuss with you at the moment.”

“Geez, you’re no fun at all.  Are there problems on the home front?”

“Not exactly.”

“Mark, you’re making no sense at all.  What’s happening?”

“Zack, how soon can you get here on Friday?  Ty has scheduled a hearing for the our sons to recover the money from their dead father’s estate.  The hearing is at 2:30 on Friday.  I’m going to be ill and won’t be able to attend.”

“Look, Daddy Mark, if you aren’t there, I’ll have to inject you so good that you won’t ever be sick again.  I should be home by one on Friday since I had my final in my ten o’clock class today.  What’s the second problem?”

When I told him about my discussion with Dr. Plummer, all he said was, “Mark, just think, that’s a no brainer.  That way at least one of us will be able to support our two starving kids.  Just make sure the job doesn’t interfere with our private time.  Now what am I going to do about this shotgun that is ready to fire?”

“Zackie, I guess you need to put the safety on and save the shots for this weekend when there will be someone around to appreciate the shots.  Have a good night and don’t waste the ammunition.”

To be continued...

Editor's Notes: This story is moving right along, isn't it?  Bart is showing a lot of maturity, isn't he? 

All the children are very mature for their ages, and are very well behaved. 

I am very pleased to see a bit of Tip and Ty every so often.

I wonder what the principal has in mind for Mark to do at the school.

I also wonder what will happen during the court proceedings to retrieve the money that belongs to Bart and Chris. It seems there are a lot of questions and not as many answers. Let's hope that the next chapter comes along very soon.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 04/03/09