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

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Chapter 32
Put Me Down, You Monster!

Everyone was sleeping soundly when I woke up on Sunday, so I decided to go run by myself.  That was a bad decision.  When I returned to the house, Chris, Bart and Zack were waiting for me.  Chris spoke for the group, “Dad, why didn’t you wake us so we could go running with you?”

“Guys, you were all sleeping soundly when I got up, and I figured you were tired because you were up late last night, so I didn’t wake you.”

Bart shook his head, “Dad, wrong answer.  As soon as you left the apartment, Chris woke up and he woke me.  He asked me where you had gone.  He was afraid you were leaving us.  Next time, please tell us know that you’re leaving.”

The four of us were fixing breakfast and I sent Chris to check on Billy and Bobby.  They were up and getting dressed.  I sent Zack to check on Ty and Tip with two cups of coffee.  When he came back, he whispered, “We may need to do some laundry this afternoon.  Becky and Barbie are already dressed, which is more than I can say for their Dads.”

We had just finished eating breakfast and the phone rang, Bart got up and answered, “This is Jefferson and  Washington residence.  This Bart speaking.  … Oh hi, Steve.  He’s right here, I’ll put him on.”

“Chris, it’s for you.”

Chris took the phone, “Oh hi, Steve. … Sure, but let me check with my Dads to make sure it’s okay.”

Chris turned to Zack and me, “Dads, is it okay if me and Randy go to the farm with Steve and Andy?”

Zack and I nodded yes, and Chris started talking, “Steve, my Dads said it was okay. … Okay, I'll pack some old clothes and I’ll meet you after the church service.  Are we going to change in the car again? … Oh, okay.  Talk to you at church.”

Bart and the children did the cleanup and everyone went to get ready for church.  I was the only person who needed to take a shower, so I did so.  When I got out of the shower, I heard Chris complaining, “But Bart, I don’t need any money.”

“Chris, the guys don’t need to be taking care of us.  We have enough money to take care of ourselves.  Now put this money in your bag so you can pay for the gas, if nothing else.”

After church, Steve, Andy, Randy and Chris departed for the farm after Chris hugged us.  Bart came up to Zack and me, “Dads, is it okay if I take Tory to lunch and a movie while Chris is gone?”

I thought to myself, ‘So now Chris is the dominant figure in our family.  What a change.’

Zack answered for us. “Bart, we have no problem with you and Tory spending the afternoon together, as long as it meets with Tory’s parents’ approval.”

“Her parents have already agreed.  In fact Robby and Ricky are trying to convince their parents that they should spend the afternoon with Bobby and Billy.”

“Don’t worry Mr. and Mrs. Sweet.  I’ll make sure the boys get home when I drop Tory off after the movie.”

Needless to say, it was a very quiet afternoon for Zack and me.  We did the laundry that needed to be done so Zack would have enough clothes for his last week at school.  We sat and watched as the boys were playing in the back yard.  Zack leaned against me, “Mark, I really enjoyed just the four of us spending time together.  Our sons are pretty great, aren’t they?”

I put my arm around Zack, “Zackie, I don’t even think we’ve seen the tip of the iceberg yet.”

We had eaten dinner.  Tip and Ty’s children were watching television and Bart had gone to the apartment to find some new songs to add to his repertoire.  It was about 7:45 when Steve and Andy came in with a kicking and yelling Chris. “Put me down, you monsters.”

Steve handed Chris to me, “Here you spank him for embarrassing me.”

Zack looked confused, “What did Chris do that was so bad?”

Steve got this funny look on his face, “I stopped for gas to make sure that we could get home and besides, it was five cents cheaper a gallon than it is here in the city.  I went into the station to pay and the attendant informed me that it had already been taken care of by someone who told him that I was going to fill up and make a run for it.”

“I asked who might have done something like that and the attendant pointed to the brat, there.  See if I take him anywhere ever again.”

As Steve and Andy left, they both hugged Chris and he reciprocated.

Chris looked at us, “Dads. I’m going to go take a bath.  I smell like cows.  I’ll be back down after I get clean.”

Zack and I were fixing Ty’s children dessert when Chris reappeared in his pajamas with Farmer Bear on his shoulder.  “Farmer Bear was lonely.  Barbie, I’ll bring him down in the morning so you can teach him to count, okay.”

After the children were in bed, Zack and I went to the apartment and Chris was already zonked.  Bart looked at us, “Dads, I’m ready for bed.  I’ve already taken my shower and brushed my teeth.”

I don’t know why Zack and I took a shower because we made a mess of the bedroom and we definitely would need to take another one in the morning.

On Monday morning, I got up and took my shower and went to check on Chris and Bart to make sure they were awake.  Chris hugged me, “Hi Dad; are we going to go run this morning?”

“Nope, I gotta go start breakfast, then I need to get dressed to go apply for the job that you said that I was going to take.”

Chris put Farmer Bear in my face, “Grandpa Leavitt, that was a mean thing to say to your sweet little son.  He’s so hurt that he may not be able to go to school today.”

“Look, Farmer Bear, you tell that rotten kid to get up or I’ll do what Steve and Andy told me to do and he won’t be able to sit down for a week.”

Chris jumped out of bed, “Come on, Farmer Bear, we’re going to run away from the place where everyone is so mean.”

Zack had been standing in the doorway laughing, “If you’ll wait until after breakfast, I’ll take you to the bus station and buy you a ticket to the North Pole.”

Farmer Bear spoke, “Chris, that sounds like a good idea to me.  I always wanted to see Santa Claus and Rudolf.”

I hugged Chris, “Get you little behind dressed for school, while I go check on the other children.”

I checked on the other four children and they were already up and getting dressed.  Billy informed me, “Daddy, came in and woke us up.”

I went to the kitchen and the coffee was already made, so that meant that someone must be exercising or running.  I went to the stairway to lower level and I heard Tip and Ty talking so they were exercising. 

After breakfast, I went and put on a tie and got my blazer, and when everyone saw me they wanted to know why I was getting dressed up.

Bobby asked the obvious question, “Nano Mark, I thought you already were offered the job.”

I nodded yes.  “But when I met with the people on Friday, Dr. Barclay and Dr. Trout were wearing coats and ties.  I thought perhaps I should wear one today, since I have no idea who I might have to talk to.  Barbie, you will need to stay here and make sure that Bart and the bears don’t get into any trouble.  This afternoon we need to go do something fun.”

As the children and I were getting in the van, Zack hugged me.  “Mark, I’ll be coming home on Thursday with the first load of my things. I should be here about four.  We can get the remainder of the things on Saturday.”

I walked into school with the children and went to see if Dr. Plummer was in her office.  She was and she invited me in.  “Dr. Plummer, I’ve decided to accept the position.”

She laughed, “I already told the central office people that I was sure that you would take the job.  You need to go fill out some additional paperwork in Dr. Trout’s office.  I’ll call and advise them that you are on your way.  Do you know where his office is located.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“We can visit more tomorrow about the other details after you talk to the other people today.”

I was glad that I had worn a coat and tie because not only did I meet with Dr. Trout, Dr. Barclay, and Dr. Delaney.  I was also introduced to the Superintendent for the entire system, Dr. Roosevelt.

He invited me to stop and visit him before I left.  By the time I finished filling out the paperwork and talking to everyone that I needed to talk to; it was noon.  When I got to the house, Bart and Barbie were eating lunch. Bart looked at me, “Dad, we got hungry, so we decided to go ahead and eat.  Mrs. Sweet had to leave early because she had a doctor’s appointment.  Do you want me to fix you a sandwich?”

“No thanks, Bart.  I’m going to change clothes and then I’ll make one.”

When I got back to the kitchen, Dr. Robinson was talking to Bart.  “Hi Mark, just stopped over to tell you that I’ll pick the children up today.  David will definitely be going to Gallaudet University next term.  We will be leaving Saturday to drive him and his things to the school.  I hope you would be willing to take care of my grandchildren next week after school.  I hear that you accepted the position at the school.  I think that’s great.  I need to go.  Talk to you later.”

When Dr. Robinson had departed, Bart looked at me and started to laugh, “Dad, I didn’t know someone could talk about so many different things without stopping, as Dr. Robinson just did.”

I started to laugh, “Yep, he sure packed a bunch information in one conversation.”

After I finished my sandwich, Barbie and I went to the Build A Bear store.  “Barbie, we need to make two more bears:  one for your Uncle Zack and one for Bart.”

While the young attendant was helping Barbie stuff and sew the bears.  I looked at the available costumes.  I showed Barbie the two costumes and she laughed, “That one with the sparkly things is going look like Bart when he throws his clothes away.”

I nodded, “And the black gown and black hat with the tassel is what your Uncle Zack will look like next Saturday.  We’ll keep his as a surprise and give it to him at his party next Sunday.”

Barbie looked up at me, “Nano Mark, can we make one more bear and  dress him like Teacher Bear.  That way you will have your own bear, too.”

Who can resist an offer like that?

After we had paid for the bears, I stopped at a bakery that was on the way home.  I wanted to order a cake for Zack’s graduation party.  When the lady asked what sort of decoration we wanted on the cake, I had to think for a minute.  “Why don’t you write Congratulations Graduate Zackary Jackson?”

Barb looked up at the lady behind the counter, “Could you put a picture of a bear on it and make him be wearing a black bathrobe and flat black board on his head with a dangly thing?  Yeh and he needs to have a piece of paper rolled up with ribbon on it.”

The lady was trying to keep from laughing, “I’m sure we can do that.  Is there anything else I can do for you?”

Barbie shook her head no, “Not this time, thank you.”

I winked at the lady, “Why don’t we pay for it now, since I’m not sure who will be picking the cake up.  We need to go to Lawrence Saturday morning for Zack’s graduation.”

I handed Barbie my debit card and she handed it to the lady.  The lady came back with the receipt and a cookie.  “Thank you for your business, young lady.  I brought you a snack to eat on your way home.”

Barbie looked up at the lady, “Thank you, ma’am.  That’s very kind of you.”

When we got home, Bart was outside weeding the flower beds, he had the portable phone with him.  “Dad, Dr. Trout would like for you to call him.  His number is there on the pad.”

I was thinking out loud, “I guess he’s going to tell me that they aren’t going to hire me.”

Bart shook his head no, “No, he said something about wanting you to go to some meeting, tonight.”

I looked at my watch, “Bart, hadn’t you better get changed before the band gets here?  You’re a tad dirty.”

Bart looked at himself, “Yeah, I guess I should.  I think I’m more than a tad dirty.”

I took the phone inside and called the number.  The receptionist answered, “This is Dr. Aaron Trout’s office, how may I help you?”

“This is Mark Leavitt.  Dr. Trout asked that I call him.”

“Just a minute, Mr. Leavitt.”

“Mark, thanks for calling.  We would like for you to attend the School Board meeting tonight at 7:00.  I will be submitting your name to fill the position which is just a formality.  Dr. Roosevelt was extremely impressed with you today and he wants the board members to meet you.”

“I’ll be there, sir.”

I had heard Bart come in the back door and go up the steps to the apartment while I was on the phone.  I had just hung up when the phone rang again. 

“This is the Jefferson Washington household.  How can I help you?”

“Yes, this is Garrett Templeton of KGIB-TV.  I was informed that I could reach a Mr. Bart Leavitt at this number.  It is urgent that I speak with him as soon as possible.”

“This is Bart’s Dad. He does live here.  Can I have him call you?”

“Mr. Leavitt, it is really important that I speak with him now, if he’s there.”

“Just a minute, Mr. Templeton.”

I went to the apartment and Bart was in the shower.  “Bart, there is a Mr. Templeton from KGIB on the phone.  He says it’s urgent that he speak with you.”

“Dad, take his number and I’ll call him back.”

“Bart, I tried that, but he insists that he needs to speak with you now.”

“Okay!”  The shower door opened and there was no question as to what Bart had been doing.

He stepped of the shower and took the phone, “This is Bart Leavitt, how can I help you? … Mr. Templeton, there is no way that I can make a decision like that without talking to the other band members…. The other band members all attend high school.  I’ll tell you what sir, we are going to be practicing here in about 30 minutes.  I’ll check with them and call you back.  Please give my Dad the information since I was in the shower and am still dripping water.”

Mr. Templeton gave me the number and asked that I have Bart call as soon as he had an answer.

I arrived back in the kitchen just as the children came in the door.  I was reviewing their folders and pulling out their spelling lists when the band members started to arrive.  They didn’t even bother to knock; they just walked in.  When Steve and Andy came in, Steve stood behind Chris, “Where is that brat who tried to get me arrested yesterday.  I wanna make sure his Daddy whipped him good.”

Chris ignored him, “See Bobby, I told you he was a big bully.”

Chris stood in his chair and hugged Steve and Andy, “I hope you guys had a good day.”

Bart interrupted the fun, “Steve and Andy, we have something important to talk about.  Dad, can you come listen to what Mr. Templeton wants us to do so you can give us some advice?”

Bobby looked at me, “Nano Mark, we’ll be fine.  We’ll go play in the backyard.”

My mind was whirling, ‘I think the world has gone bananas.  Everybody wants everything, right now.’ 

To be continued...

Editor's Notes: I don't know if I want everything right now, but I do know that I want another chapter of this wonderful story, right now.

Chris is having a wonderful time and he has those teenage boys eating out of his hand.  Bart is really blossoming and becoming a fine young man.

It was nice to find out what was happening with David, and find out he is going to Gallaudet university.  That is a very special place and David will learn a lot there.

I am ready for another chapter any time, now!

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher  

Posted: 05/15/09