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

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Chapter 28

I Think I Have Alzheimer’s

After Chris announced to the world that I had a job - that I was going to accept the job, the children acted as if they were vacuum cleaners and cleared the table.

Tip and Ty were sitting there, laughing and asking what else exciting happened during the day.  I told them about Mrs. Sweet and Dr. Robinson recommending me for the position.  “Dr. Robinson and David have gone to Washington, D. C. to enroll David in Gallaudet University for the summer.  I picked up his grandchildren today and told him I would do so again tomorrow.”

Ty looked at me, “Mark, how are you going to do that when we’re going to be in court tomorrow at 2:30?  We need to find someone to pick up Bobby, Becky and Billy.  We can’t be in two places at the same time. You can always bring Barbie with you.”

We were interrupted by Bobby, “Dads, can we do something special this weekend.  We could leave right after lunch tomorrow, since we have early dismissal.  We get out at 11:45.”

I was totally baffled, “Bobby, why are you being dismissed early tomorrow?  I didn’t know about it.”

Bobby went and got his backpack and pulled out a note.  I read it.

School will be dismissed at 11:45 tomorrow to provide all school personnel and students who wish to take advantage of the opportunity to attend the ceremony at Kauffman stadium to see President Obama.

I handed the note to Tip and Ty,  “Well, that’s half of the problem solved.”

We heard the phone ringing and Bart came into the dining room, “Dad, Dr. Robinson’s son would like to speak to you on the phone.”

I went to phone, “This is Mark Leavitt.”

“Mark, we have a deal for you.  If you would pick the children up from school, we would like to take all of them for the afternoon as payback for all the times that you have picked them up and carted Sarah to and from playgroup.  By the way, would you be willing to keep Sarah in the morning?”

“Mr. Robinson, I would very greatly appreciate that, since we have a court date for Chris and Bart tomorrow afternoon.  I would be very happy to keep Sarah for you.  We’ll pick up Mr. Jefferson’s children by four.”

I walked in to where Tip and Ty were sitting, “Well, that crisis is solved; what’s the next one?”

The rest of the evening progressed with no problems and when I was tucking Chris and Farmer Bear into bed, Chris asked, “Dad, is it okay if I take Farmer Bear to court with us tomorrow afternoon.  I would feel much safer if he were there?”

“Chris, I don’t know why you couldn’t take him.  Aren’t you going to feel a little funny carrying Farmer Bear into the courtroom?”

Chris was serious, “Dad, I could put him into a small bag and no one would see him.  I really want to take him.  He’s my good luck charm.”

Zack called and reconfirmed that he would be home by 1:00 in the afternoon.

When I got to the apartment, Bart was sitting on the floor mouthing words.  He waved as I walked by to say goodnight to Chris.  Chris appeared to already be asleep with Farmer Bear clutched in his hands.  I leaned down and kissed Chris and I also kissed Farmer Bear, 

“Watch it old man.  I don’t like to be slobbered on.  I gotta look good when I go see the Judge tomorrow.”

I could see Chris moving as if he was trying to control his giggles.  I decided to get even, “Farmer Bear, tell young Christopher Warren Leavitt that if he isn’t nice to me I’ll shave all your hair off.”

Chris sat up, “Dad, you wouldn’t really do that would you?”

“Chris, you should know that I’m not that cruel, but I might shave one side of your head.”

Chris thought about that for a minute, “I guess that half a head of hair is better than none. Dad, I'm scared about what’s going to happen tomorrow,”

I hugged Chris and Farmer Bear, “Men, everything will be fine.”

I had just gotten out of the shower when Bart came into the bathroom, “Dad, the judge isn’t going to take us away from you and Dad Zack, is he?”

I hugged Bart, even though I was still wet and naked, “Son, this hearing has nothing to do with custody.  We are only trying to get what rightfully belongs to you and Chris.” 

Bart looked at me and was very sincere, “Dad, we already have more  love than we ever had in our lives.  We don’t need anything else.”

The next morning I awoke early, feeling refreshed. I went to the kitchen, started the coffee and put in a coffee cake to heat.  I went back to the apartment to terrorize the guys.  I started to tickle Chris and Farmer Teddy yelled, “Nano Mark don’t do that or Chris will go to the bathroom on the bed.”

I started toward Bart and he sat up, “Don’t even think about doing that to me Dad, or you won’t be able to light a fire for a long time.  Come on Chris, let’s go to the bathroom and then take Dad and run his butt into the ground.”

While we were running, the two guys were wandering all over the planet with their conversation, but the paramount topic of the conversation was the hearing in front of Judge Evans.  They were having a difficult time trying to understand why they had to go back to court again.

I tried to reassure them, “Guys, I promise, this is not going to be like the last time.  This should be a piece of cake.”

I was thinking to myself, ‘At least I hope so.’

As Ty was leaving with the children, he suggested, “Mark, I’ll meet you, Zack and the boys at the courthouse at 2:15.  I’ll call you if there are any changes.”

As Ty was pulling away, Mrs. Robinson arrived with Sarah.  The girls disappeared into the family room and Bart and Mrs. Sweet were doing their thing in the dining room.  I was cleaning the downstairs when the phone rang.  I almost didn’t answer it, but then I thought that it might be Zack, or maybe it was about one of the children.

“This is the Jefferson Washington household.  This is Mark, how may I help you.”

“Mark, it’s Ty.  Just a heads up; there might be some complications at the courthouse today.  The woman who claims to be the boys’ mother is out of jail.  She has gotten wind of the petition that I had filed on the boys’ behalf.  Philip has his people collecting some more evidence, so we can refute any claims that she might make.”

Ty stopped for a minute, “Mark, let me talk to Bart, please.   Put the phone on speaker, so you can hear the conversation.”

“I knocked on the dining room door, “Bart, Ty wants to speak to you.”

Mrs. Sweet followed Bart into the kitchen, “The phone is on speaker.”

“Hi Uncle Ty, what can I do for you?”

“Bart, I should have asked you this earlier, but was that woman who was at the door the other night your natural mother?”

“No sir, our natural mother died when Chris was born.  Our father brought that woman home to take care of us.  We moved right after she moved in, to where we were living, and they told everyone that they were Mr. and Mrs. Winters.”

“Bart, do you know if they were ever married?”

“Uncle Ty, I’m positive that they were never married.  I used to hear that woman yelling at Mr. Winters telling him that she wanted to get married.  He would be abusive to her and tell her that she was nothing but a common whore and he wouldn’t grace her with his name, even if she was the last woman alive on the Earth.”

“Bart, I may need to call on you to testify today.  Would you have a problem with that?”

“No, but what would I be testifying about?”

“Guys, I really dropped the ball on this one.  Bart, basically, I would have you tell the judge what you told us, just now.”

“No problem, Uncle Ty.”

“Oh, and one more thing; everyone should probably call me Mr. Jefferson, should you need to use my name today.  It could get a little sticky if you called me Uncle Ty.”

“See you at the courthouse at 2:15.”

I looked at the clock, “I need to go get the other children.  Keep your eye on Barbie and Sarah, please.  Bart, don’t say anything about that conversation to Chris.  He’s already upset enough.”

When I returned with the seven children, I had Ty’s children put a change of clothes in their backpacks, just in case.  They had just done that when the Mr. and Mrs. Robinson arrived in two vehicles.  I watched as the boys loaded into one vehicle and the girls into the other.  I reminded the children that I would be picking them up at 4:00.

As Mrs. Sweet was leaving, she reminded me that we were to pick her up at 6:30 tomorrow night and that we would take her Lincoln Towncar since the five of us would fit in it nicely. 

Zack arrived, just a couple of minutes before one.  I hugged him and as he was eating his sandwich, I quickly told him what had happened in the morning. 

He looked at me and was talking with his mouth full, “Honestly Mark, I can’t even leave you alone for an hour or you get in trouble.  Where are the boys now?”

“Our sons decided that they wanted to go grab a burger at Culver’s and then Bart wanted to stop by Bill and Marci’s and pick up a couple of new costumes for this week's performances.  We need to find out what happened to cause Bill and Marci to care so much about teenagers that they would turn the Pizza Palace over to bunch of teenagers every Saturday night.”

I was fixing food in the slow cooker for dinner, since I had no idea how long anything would take, the rest of the afternoon.  When the boys arrived, Chris ran to Zack and hugged him, “I’m glad your home, Daddy.”

Bart was carrying several sets of clothes.  “Hi, Dad, did you have a good week?   Dads, what should we wear this afternoon?”

I shrugged my shoulders, “I guess we should wear some clothes.  I’m afraid that you would scare everyone if you didn’t.  Guys, we probably should wear our blazers with a nice shirt and a tie, so we can make a good impression.”

Chris was standing with his arm around Zack’s neck,  “Did you hear that, Dad Zack?  Dad Nano said we didn’t have to wear underware, pants, socks or shoes.  It sure is a good thing that it’s not too cold.”

He skipped away, “I need to go tell Farmer Bear that he doesn’t have to wear his overalls.”

Bart was laughing as he followed Chris to the apartment.  Zack looked at me, “What’s with Farmer Bear?  Does Chris have an imaginary friend?”

I ignored him, “You’ll find out soon enough, and that’s all I can say.  I’ve been sworned to secrecy.”

“Maybe I should just go back to school.  Nobody seems to want me around here.”

“You try to leave and I know two sons who will have you  hanging by your feet from the tree in the front yard, and you will be naked.  That’s not a bad idea.  We could charge a fee for people to touch the merchandise.  We’ll probably become the next billionaires.”

I looked at the clock, “Come on, we need to get dressed.  We’re to meet Ty at 2:15.”

When everyone had passed inspection, Chris grabbed his backpack and we went to the court house.  Ty was just entering when we arrived.  I had forgotten that we would need to pass through the security screening and I realized that we might be in trouble because of Chris’ backpack.  The young woman security guard looked at Chris, “Young man, I’m afraid that I will need to check the contents of your backpack.”

Chris handed his backpack to the young woman, “Please don’t hurt Farmer Bear.”

The young woman searched the backpack and the only thing in it was Farmer Bear.  She put the bear and the backpack into the screening machine, and they were waiting at the other end when we got there.

It’s a good thing we we were a couple of minutes early, because when we entered the courtroom, there were already a number of people seated in the spectator section and the supposed Mrs. Winters was seated at one of the tables with a very distinguished looking gentleman.

After the opening formalities were concluded, Judge Evans looked at Chris, “It’s good to see you again, Christopher.  How are things going?”

“Judge Evans, I’m feeling great.  I have two Dads who really love me and they don’t let anyone hurt us like that woman and her friends tried to do the other night.”

The gentleman at the table stood, “We object, Your Honor.  That is heresay.”

Judge Evans looked at the gentleman, “Excuse me, Mr. Wentworth.  This is a hearing to examine the disposal of the funds from the estate of Mr. Warren Winters.  What is your involvement in this matter?”

“We contend that the estate should be awarded to Mrs. Winters who I am representing and who is seated here beside me.”

Judge Evans turned to Ty, “Mr. Jefferson, your petition doesn’t mention a Mrs. Winters.”

Ty stood, “No, Your Honor, because the lady seated beside Mr. Wentworth is not, nor has she ever been, married to Mr. Winters.  I request that she be sworn in so that what she says can be refuted.”

Mr. Wentworth shrugged his shoulders, “We have nothing to hide, so we have no objections.”

Bart surprised everyone, “Judge Evans, please have Chris leave the courtroom.  He does not need to hear what might be said.”

Chris jumped up, “I’m not leaving.  I want to hear what the drunken witch has to say.”

After the woman was sworn in, Mr. Wentworth started, “Mrs. Winters, would you please tell the court your full name and what your relationship with Mr. Winters and the two young men seated at the table was, and is.”

The woman began her fantasy,  “My name is Lucinda Janelle Winters.  I was married to Mr. Warren Winters for 18 years.  We had two sons, Bart and Chris, who are seated at the table over there.  I want them to live with me, but I have no money because my husband inadvertently forgot to change his will.”

Mr. Wentworth stood, “Thank you, Mrs. Winters.  You’re excused.”

Ty stood, “Judge Evans, I strongly object to Mr. Wentworth excusing the witness when I haven’t had a chance to question her.”

Judge Evans pounded the gavel, “Mr. Wentworth, this is my courtroom, and I’ll excuse the witnesses when I’m satisfied that we have heard everything that they have to say.   I suggest that you let me handle the proceedings and not you.  Proceed with your questions,  Mr. Jefferson.”

Ty started, “Miss Hodges, I assume that you are in possession of a document that proves that you were married to Mr. Winters?”

The woman practically spit at Ty, “Look, prick, my name is Mrs. Lucinda Winters.  I do not have a document to prove that I was married to Mr. Winters because he had it locked away somewhere.”

Ty was so cool, “Miss Lucy Mae Hodges, I assume that you would be willing to take a DNA test to prove that the two young men at the this table are indeed your sons.”

The woman pounded the rail, “I told you that my name is Lucinda Janelle Winters and yes I’ll take a stupid test to prove that I am the mother of the two boys.”

Ty looked at Judge Evans, “Judge Evans, there is a doctor present, and I would like your permission to have him take samples of Miss Hodges and Bartolomew and Christopher Leavitt's saliva to prove or disprove if Miss Hodges is the mother of the two boys as she claims.”

Judge Evans looked at Ty, “This is highly irregular, but since Mrs. Winters and the two young men seem to be amenable to the testing, please proceed.”

I was surprised to see Tip come forward with a bag.  He pulled out three vials with three long swabs.  Miss Hodges stood, “Okay, so I’m not the boys’ mother.  I lived with the bastard for ten years.  I deserve something for my time.”

Ty was relentless, “You just told us that you weren’t the boys’ mother.  I have two witnesses that are willing to testify that you also were never married to Mr. Winters.  Do you want me to call them?”

Mr. Wentworth stood, “I object, Your Honor, Mr. Jefferson is badgering the witness.”

Judge Evans pounded his gavel, “Your objection is overruled.  Mr. Jefferson was asking for the witness' preferences.  Miss Hodges, what will it be?”

Miss Hodges glared at Ty, “Okay, so I was never married to the bastard, but I took care of the boys as if they were my sons.”

Chris stood, “Your Honor, that is a complete lie.  There were many afternoons when I got home from school, that I couldn’t get in the house because the doors were locked.  If it hadn’t been for Mrs. Crosby, who lived next door, I would have frozen to death waiting for her to either come home or for her friends to leave.  Sometimes I couldn’t get in until Bart or that man came home.  Mr. Winters felt I was too young to have a key.”

Bart stood, “Your Honor, Chris is completely right in what he said.  There are a great many times that we had to make do with the meager amounts of food that were in the house, because that woman used the money that man gave her to buy food for us, to buy alcohol for herself.  He finally realized what was happening and started to buy the food himself and he was very frugal.  There were many days when we went to school hungry.  Do you know how embarrassing it is to be forced to eat free lunch?”

Bart wasn’t finished, “All my last dad wanted from me was to use my body, because the lady over there wouldn’t let him use hers.  He wanted me to become a super football player, so he could exploit me and make money.”

Judge Evans pounded his gavel, “Deputy, I would like to have Miss Hodges taken to the jail and booked on charges of perjury.  In the meantime, I need to go to the restroom.”

A voice spoke up, “Judge Evans, please don’t take too long.  Some of us need to go to the bathroom, too.”

The judge looked down at us, “Who said that?”

The voice came from Chris’ backpack, “I did.”

Everyone except Bart and me was totally lost as to what was happening.  The judge came down and approached the table where we were sitting.  “I want to know who said that, so I can fine them for being in contempt.”

The voice started, “That’s okay, Judge Evans.  You can fine me, but I ain’t got any money.  I’ll have to pay with fresh eggs and fresh milk.  Chris won’t give me any money.”

The Judge was watching everyone as the voice spoke.  “Whoever you are, I want you to come forward so I can see you, immediately.”

The voice came back, “Well then, tell Chris to get me out of this dungeon where he has he stored, so I can see if you’re as mean as everyone says.  I think they‘re lying and that you’re really an old softy.”

The Judge threw up his hands and looked at Chris. “Christopher Warren Leavitt, who is this person who you have trapped in a dungeon?”

Chris opened his backpack and set Farmer Teddy on the table, “Thanks, Judge Evans, I thought for sure that I was going to suffocate in that dumb dungeon.  You don’t look so mean.  You gotta’ take care of my boys.”

Judge Evans was laughing and we weren’t sure if that was a good omen or a bad omen.  “This court is in recess for 15 minutes.   I really do need to go to the bathroom.”

As soon as Judge Evans was out of sight, Chris was pulling Zack’s hand, “Come on, Dad Zack, I need to go to the bathroom, really bad.”

While Chris and Zack were gone, Mr. Wentworth approached our table, “Gentlemen, I apologize.  I was thoroughly taken in by that woman.  I must give you credit.  I have been involved in a lot of cases, but I have never been involved in one where a Teddy Bear talked to a Judge before.  He looked at me, “Mr. Leavitt, your young son has a lot of talent.  He must have worked very hard to develop his ventriloquism skills.”

Before I could answer, Chris and Zack were returning and Chris was explaining, “Honest Dad, I don’t know how it happened, but all of a sudden, I could make it seem as if Farmer Teddy was talking.

The conversation was interrupted by the return of Judge Evans.  After he was seated, he announced, “I have made my decision in the petition asking that Mr. Bartholomew Leavitt and Mr. Christopher Leavitt should receive all of the funds and assets that were held in the name of Mr. Warren Winters.  The petition further says that the funds will be managed by Mr. Mark Leavitt and Mr. Zack Jackson until such time as the young men are deemed to be capable of prudently handing the funds.”

“The petition is…..”

Editor's Notes:  Hmmmmmm, Is this or is this not a cliffhanger?  I will leave that up to you, the readers.  I suggest that you might want to send a kind request to Mr. E  Walk and ask him to please hurry and send the next chapter.  I know I want it very soon.

I have a winner in our contest. Here is his answer:

Christian wrote:

The teddy bear was created when President Teddy Roosevelt created the first national parks; they have a bear with full rangers' clothes on, as logo, and the name got associated with the Christian name of the president, Teddy the bear, shortened to Teddy bear.

Christian

Thank you, Christian and here is your chapter.

Enjoy! 

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 04/17/09