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

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

Chapter 31
The Fab Nine

When Zack and I arrived at Mrs. Sweet’s house, there was a limousine sitting at the front of the doorway, so I pulled into one of the parking spaces behind the garage.  Zack and I walked to the front door and Mrs. Sweet was waiting for us, dressed in beautiful purple shoe top length gown.  “I thought it would be best if we arrived in royal style, since I am one of the people responsible for the ball.”

Zack started to laugh, “I guess you’re telling us that we need to get home by midnight or the limo will turn in to rotten pumpkin or something?”

“Well that’s a possibility. Let’s go pick up Amy and Chrystal.  I hope they know how to react in such an environment.”

I started to laugh, “Mrs. Sweet, aren’t you afraid that Zack and I will embarrass you.  We’re from Nebraska, we ain’t into this high society stuff.”

“Honey, you two have more manners than many of the people who will be there tonight.  Some of the people who will be there tonight will probably be eating soup and bread for a while just so their daughters can bring notoriety to their families.  It’s not like it was when I was growing up.  Back in the dark ages, you had to be wealthy to be a debutante.  Nowadays, people seem to think that is they way to work their way into the top crust of society.”

“Hell, I’ll bet over half of the families that have daughters debuting tonight have both parents working just to subsist.”

Our conversation was cut short because we arrived at the condo where Amy and Chrystal  lived.  Zack and I went to pick them up while Mrs. Sweet waited in the limo.  Amy greeted us wearing a mint green cocktail dress that set off her red hair and green eyes.  Chrystal appeared in strapless yellow dress that left nothing to the imagination.  Both women looked absolutely lovely.

When we walked into the hotel where the ball was being held, it was as if we were the center of attention.  I felt so totally out of place.

We made our way to the ballroom and Mrs. Sweet directed us to a bar, “We need to fortify ourselves to get ready to face this evening.  By the way Mark, I just found out that the person who was scheduled to be the Master of Ceremony can’t make it.  You are going to need to take his place.”

“Why me?  I don’t know any of these people?  How can I introduce them when I don’t even know them?”

Zack started to laugh, “Markie, all you gotta do is smile and mumble as you introduce the people.  Maybe you and Amy could act as Co-Masters of Ceremony.”

Mrs. Sweet had this evil glint in her eye, “Better yet, all four of you could be the Masters and Mistresses of Ceremony.  Let’s go make sure the sound crew has four head mikes for you to wear.”

At the appropriate time, the orchestra played a fan fare and the evening formalities were about to begin. Zack, Chrystal, Amy and I made it through the introductions of the debutantes without any major faux pas.  The meal was acceptable, but that was the best I could say for it. The orchestra was something out of the l940’s.  No one was dancing. 

Mrs. Sweet leaned over to us, “This orchestra sucks.  I need to make a phone call.”

She left and when she returned, she smiled, “These people are in for a surprise.  Maybe they’ll start to loosen up.”

I looked at Zack and he was as confused as I was.  It was approximately thirty minutes later when Mrs. Sweet disappeared again.  When she reappeared, she went to the platform and took the microphone,  “Ladies and gentlemen, the orchestra will be taking a thirty minute break.  Don’t worry, we have arranged for some special entertainment for you.  They will be with you as soon as they can get their equipment set up.  The curtain closed around the raised platform and we could hear people moving about.

The lights in the ballroom were turned down and a spotlight was aimed at the side of the ballroom.  A voice called out, “Are you ready?”

Zack and I looked at each other because we recognized the voice.  Mrs. Sweet yelled out, “Yes, we’re ready.”

Bart yelled again, “I said, are you ready to have a good time?”

This time our entire table blared, “We’re ready!”

Bart yelled again, “I thought this was to be a special occasion and not a funeral.  Now let’s try it again.  Are you ready to have a good time?”

This time most of the people in attendance yelled, “We’re ready!”

The curtain opened and the band started to play, and Bart came sliding in with his Elvis outfit on and sang You Ain’t Nothing But A Houndog.  Needless to say, everyone was laughing at his antics.  When he finished, he pointed at the people in attendance, “Now it’s your turn to perform.  Everyone on your feet.  Get ready to rumble.”

It was a sight to behold.  People in formal clothes were actually doing the Hokey Pokey and seemed to be enjoying themselves.  As the song ended, Bart yelled, “Don’t sit down!  We’re just getting started.”  He pointed at me, “Mr. Leavitt, you take the left side of the room.  Mr. Jackson, you take the right side of the ballroom.  Your mission is to see who can get the most persons to join your group.”

The band started to play the Bunny Hop as Bart and Tory were singing.  When the song ended, Bart took the microphone.  Now a nice slow number for you young people out there.  Mrs. Sweet, may I have the next dance with you as your granddaughter Tory sings the next song?”

The band started to play The Last Waltz.  Bart and Mrs. Sweet started to glide around the floor as Tory sang.  The dance floor was crowded with people.  

When the song ended, Tory started to laugh, “This next song is for you old people out there like Mr. Leavitt and Mr. Jackson.  Let’s show these young people how to get down and dirty.”

Bart jumped on the platform and he and Tory started to gyrate as they started to sing Twistin the Night Away.  It was great to see so many people moving on the dance floor having a great time.

When the song ended, Bart took the mike, “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for inviting us to be part of this gala event this evening.  Before we leave, I would like to take the opportunity to introduce the members of our group.

Bart introduced the members of the band and then Tory.  He never mentioned who he was.  “For our last number, we have chosen the theme from a film from the 1960’s.  Somewhere My Love.  The band started to play; Bart and Tory were singing and the dance floor was full.

When the song ended, the band was starting to gather their things when Judge Evans grabbed the microphone, “Just a minute, there seems to be a problem here.  Mr. Leavitt, you never told the people your name.  Are you ashamed of it?  Do you want me to change it?”

At first Bart seemed to be at a loss for words, but he recovered nicely, “Okay, my name is Bart Leavitt, and no, I don’t want it changed.  What are you going to do, Judge Evans, you going to fine me five kisses like you did my brother for being in contempt of the court?”

 Judge Evans hugged Bart, “Ladies and gentlemen, let’s give these young people a big hand, for coming on such short notice.  I know for a fact that they have another job where they were playing tonight.  I don’t know how Mrs. Sweet got them here, but these young people made this a very special night for all of us.”

The band departed to a standing ovation.  Even the orchestra members who had been watching were applauding.  When the orchestra resumed playing, they were playing a variety of songs and more people were dancing.

The orchestra stopped playing at eleven o’clock.  Mrs. Sweet was talking to several ladies and turned to us.  “Let’s split this place. My feet are killing me.”

The limo was waiting for us when we exited the hotel.  Mrs. Sweet had the driver take Amy and Chrystal home first.  Zack and I made sure that they got into to their condo safely.

After we had returned to the limo, Mrs. Sweet announced, “I gave the band permission to stay at the Pizza Palace until 11:30 to make up for the time they were at the ball.  The band members were to call their parents and tell them; but since the two of you were with me, I told Bart that I would tell you that he didn’t need to be home until 12:00.”

I looked at Mrs. Sweet, “You do realize that Chris probably won’t go to sleep until Bart gets home.”

“Just tell Chris that if he doesn’t go to sleep, he won’t be able to go to the farm tomorrow.”

I was totally confused, “Mrs. Sweet, I didn’t know we were going to the farm tomorrow.”

“Mark, I didn’t say anything about US going to the farm tomorrow.  Steve and Andy wanted to know if they could go to the farm tomorrow and they asked if Chris and Randy could go with them to give them their next lesson in Milking 101.  I told the two guys that I was sure that you two would have no problem with that.  I’ll advised Randy’s parents as to what will be happening in the morning.”

Zack spoke up, “Mrs. Sweet, we’ll check with Chris and see how he feels about going to the farm, and we’ll let you know tomorrow.  Talk to you tomorrow.”

As we were driving home, Zack sighed, “I probably upset Mrs. Sweet tonight, but she needs to realize that we are capable of taking care of ourselves and that we aren’t her servants.  I refuse to have her constantly trying to manipulate us and the boys.  I know she means well, but enough is enough.”

When I pulled  into the driveway, I turned to Zack.  “I know that Mrs. Sweet can be a little overbearing, but she has done a lot for Bart.  I think she got the message that we can take care of things.  I gather that you didn’t particularly enjoy tonight.”

“Mark, I felt totally out of place tonight.  How many people of my ethnic background did you see there, other than Chrystal and me?  There were exactly eight other people who shared our cultural heritage.  One of the gentlemen was our Congressman and the wife of the other couple is chairperson of the City Council.  I would bet that they were only there to enhance their political images.”

“I would rather have been home lying in bed with you, playing games.  I don’t like this pretending to be something that we aren’t.”

“Mark, I don’t understand why people can’t accept that two people of the same sex can love each other.  In our case, people have a more difficult time accepting that we love each other because of our ethnic differences.”

“Zack, look at me.  Why are you all of a sudden concerned about the issue of race?”

“Mark, you don’t understand.”

I shook my head, “I don’t understand what?  Zack, if something’s bothering you, then let’s talk about it.  Did I do something to upset you?”

“Mark, you, of all people, have done nothing to upset me.  For the last fifteen years, Tip and Ty have been taking care of me.  Now, for the first time, I’m going to be on my own.  I’m still having a difficult time trying to figure out why Beau and Becca would even take a risk on hiring me.”

“Zack, you’re just suffering from opening day jitters.  While I don’t know Becca all that well, I do know that Beau is a very good judge of character and he has always been a sound business person.  You should feel honored that he is giving you, and yes, us, this opportunity.  While you are building your or the Benson’s business, I will have the income from the Nanny job, and yes, the school job, to make sure that we don’t starve.  Now let’s go and check on Farmer Bear and Chris.”

We walked into the apartment and we heard a voice, “Chris, someone’s home.  They’re making so much noise that it sounds as if the cattle are stampeding.”

Zack and I walked into the guys’ bedroom and Chris was sitting there, “Farmer Bear was getting worried about you.  Why isn’t Bart home?  It’s after his curfew.  It’s 11:15.   I‘m worried.”

Zack and I sat down on the bed with Chris.  I hugged Chris. “Son, your brother is fine.  His curfew got extended until 12:00 o’clock tonight.  We saw him and he is fine.  Now go to sleep, if you want to go to the farm tomorrow with Randy, Steve and Andy.”

Chris looked confused, “Aren’t you going to go, too?”

 

Zack messed Chris’ hair, “No son, we weren’t asked, and I need to work on a speech for next Saturday.  You don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”

Chris leaned against Zack, “Dad, of course I want to go to the farm, but I also want to be with you two.  But if you’re going to be busy, then I probably should go, so you can do what you need to do while it’s quiet.”

I kissed Chris, “Son, you need to go to sleep.”

Zack and I went into our bedroom and shed our tuxedoes.  We were putting them on the hangars when we heard Bart come into the apartment.  He knocked on the door, and I asked him to come in even though Zack and I were wearing only our briefs.

Bart looked at us, “You look better that way than when you were wearing those silly skunk suits.  Dads, did we do okay tonight?  We were totally unprepared to do something at a Debutante Ball.  I’m still not sure how it happened.”

Zack hugged Bart, “Dude, you all were magnificent.  It was like we were in a morgue until you all arrived.  It will be interesting to see how Amy and Chrystal write it up, when they write about the ball.  But do you suppose that you might not blindside us the next time.  I don’t handle being surprised very well.”

Bart laughed, “Well, who else was I going to pick on?  You two were the most handsome men there.  Everyone was jealous of you and your dates.”

We were interrupted by Chris, “Bart, get ready for bed so me and Farmer Bear can go to sleep.”

Bart grabbed Chris and put him over his shoulder, “I’m tired of you bossing me around.  I’m going to have to tickle you so you will stop trying to boss me around.”

“Bart, put me down.  You smell.  You need to take a shower if you’re going to sleep with me and Farmer Bear.”

Bart put Chris down, “That’s because our dads made me work overtime tonight.”

To be continued...

Editor's Notes:  It looks as if Bart and his stunning band really wowed the crowd at the ball. 

It is so wonderful to see the difference in both Bart and Chris after they have been with their new family. 

I hope that Zack can realize that he and Mark are perfect for each other, despite their  cultural differences. They both love each other and the love the boys, and that is what makes the best possible family.

I want more. I am quite greedy about needing new chapters!

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 05/08/09