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

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Chapter 42

Chris’ Debut

I looked at DoDo and Wilt, “I’ll drive since parking is at a premium around the central office.  There is one problem though, I didn’t have time to eat at lunchtime.  I need some food.”

Dr. Del Rio laughed, “Funny you should mention that, now I remember why I’m feeling a little weak.  There’s a neat deli not too far away where we can grab some food before we go to the central office.  I guess I’m going to need to bring some snacks, since I suffer from hypoglycemia.  Mark, tell Dr. Plummer that we need a small refrigerator so we can take care of children who come to us starving.”

I started to laugh, “Wilt, you’re in charge of making the list of the needs that we are going to have.”

Wilt complained, “So now you’re demoting me to be the supply sergeant.   I think I need to file a grievance with the teacher’s union.”

We stopped at the deli that DoDo recommended and it was really a neat place.  I decided that it might be a good place to take real problem children, to get them out of the school environment when appropriate, since it was within walking distance from the school.

As we were eating, we found out about DoDo.  She had taught school for ten years and she and her husband found out that they could never have children.  They decided to become foster parents.  They took in a family of four children who ranged from the age of six months to six years old.   That was twelve years ago.  The young people, two guys and two girls were adopted by the Del Rios.  Mr. Del Rio owned a very fancy Mexican restaurant.  According to DoDo, all he did was stand around and tell people what to do.

Wilt and I were laughing.  DoDo looked offended.  “Well, it’s almost true.  I was hesitant about taking this job, but I think it might make Juan realize that he doesn’t have to work twelve hours a day to provide us a good life.  I really wish he would sell the restaurant or let someone else run it.  He has worked hard all of his life and needs to take some time to enjoy what we have.  Our children are the most spoiled kids in town.”

After a fun lunch, we went to the Central Office and the three of us were suddenly full time employees of the district, starting immediately.

As we were driving back to the school, I suggested, “Wilt, why don’t we stop by your pad and you can grab your things that you need to wear for the meeting tonight, and you can eat with us. It will save us time since Chris is going to be performing tonight?”

DoDo asked, “Who is Chris, and why is he performing at a PTO meeting?”

“Chris is our youngest son and Dr. Plummer asked him to perform tonight at the PTO meeting.  Chris goes to the school where we are going to be working.”

Our conversation was interrupted because we arrived at the place where Wilt lived and he announced, “I’ll be back shortly.”

DoDo looked at me, “Wilt has had a hard life, hasn’t he?”

“Ma’am he has had a very difficult life, but I’m not going to say anymore.  He needs to tell you about his life.  I don’t know everything about him, but he definitely is a self made person.”

Wilt arrived with a hang up bag.  “I not sure how we should dress for tonight.  I brought a blazer and a tie.  I’ll probably be overdressed.”

DoDo started to laugh, “I guess it would be better to overdressed than underdressed.  Although, I personally think underdressed would be more fun.”

As we were entering the school, Chris’ class was walking.  Chris got out of line and  hugged me.  “Hi Daddy, you’re here early.  Hi Mr. Franklin are you going to eat with us tonight?  Dad who is pretty the lady?”

“Chris that is Dr. Del Rio she is going to be my and Mr. Franklin’s boss.”

I watched as another little guy hugged Wilt.  Wilt said, “Horatio, you need to get back to class.  I’ll talk to you later.”

We were walking toward the office when the paraprofessional  who supposedly had resigned came out of the office.  When she saw Wilt and me, she stopped, “You bastards caused me to be fired.”

Wilt and I looked at each other.  I spoke, “Excuse me, ma’am.  I told you to leave the lunchroom, and was told that you had resigned.  We had nothing to do with you getting fired.”

The woman was almost spitting at us, “I did resign because of the way you treated me and told me to get out of the lunchroom.  You people don’t understand that what these young people need is to learn to follow strict rules.   Now they won’t let me retract my resignation papers.”

DoDo stepped in front of the lady, “Ma’am, I don’t know who you are, but I wouldn’t want you to be working with my children with your attitude.  I’m guessing that you have been married and divorced several times and I hope to the high heavens that any children that you might have brought into the world are not living with you.”

The woman looked as if she was about to start clawing DoDo when Wilt stepped in, “Ma’am, I suggest you leave and leave quietly.  Mr. Leavitt, please go call the police and tell them that we have a lady here at the school causing a disturbance.”

The woman practically ran to the door yelling, “I hope you all rot in Hell.”

Dr. Plummer had obviously been watching, “People, that isn’t why you were hired, but thank you.  I couldn’t believe what I heard today.  Darlene has always seemed so child friendly when I was around.  The staff has been complaining about her for the past year.  All I can say is thank you.”

Wilt spoke up, “Dr. Plummer, we have decided that we need a small refrigerator filled with snacks for our poor starving visitors and Dr. DoDo.  I need to have an internet connection in my room, so I can check the lottery numbers each day and some other things that I can’t discuss in mixed company.”

We were standing there laughing when the dismissal bell rang.  Wilt, DoDo, Dr. Plummer and I were standing at the door, saying good night to the students.  I was surprised at how many of them called me Nano Mark.   I looked around and my gang was all assembled except  Billy.  “Where’s Billy?” 

I heard a voice, “Nano Mark, Pedro sprained his ankle.  It’s hard for him to walk.  Could you please carry him to his Mommy’s car?”

I went and picked up the young man and took him to the car that he pointed to.  When I put him down to open the door, the fumes of alcohol came wafting out of the door.  The woman was screaming, “Pedro, what took you so long.  I need to go pick up your brothers and sisters .”

No sooner had Pedro been buckled in than the car pulled away with a screech.  I pulled out a pad and wrote down the license plate number.

Dr. Plummer was waiting for me when I returned to the entrance, “I see you have met the wonderful Mrs. Ramirez.”

I took my passengers home and they were talking about the day as Wilt was questioning them.  When we arrived at the house, Bart was waiting for me.  ‘Dad, I don’t know that I want to be in charge here when you’re gone.  It’s as if you expect me to be a junior Nano and that’s not what I want to be.  What’s going to happen when I go to the Academy next year?”

“Bart, what has you upset?”

Bart hugged me, “Dad, I guess I’m just feeling sorry for myself.  Here I am a sixteen year old guy taking care of two five year olds all day.”

I asked, “Did you have problems with them today or something?”

“Dad, they were great, but I need to be able to talk to some people who are older, sometimes.  The girls basically act as if I don’t exist until it’s time to eat.”

Wilt had been listening to the conversation, “Bart, I feel the same way about many adults that I have met.  They are so caught up in themselves that they forget that others have needs too.  Just be thankful that you have two Dads who love you.  Since you think you’re overworked, what can I do to help you with dinner?”

I was checking the children’s folders when Chris came in with the Robinson children’s Dad, “Bart, Mr. Robinson would like to speak to you.”

Bart stopped what he was doing, “Hi, Mr. Robinson, what can I do for you.”

Mr. Robinson  started, “Bart, Sarah keeps saying what a good babysitter you are.  My wife and I are going to teach summer school in the mornings.  Would you be willing to come to our house and sit with the children in the mornings.”

I shook my head no, “Don, I just signed a contract saying I would work full time with the school district, so I’m going to require Bart’s assistance here.”
 

Bart glared at me, “Mr. Robinson, I might know someone who would be willing to do it and she does have her own car.  I can call her  and you can talk to her if you would like?”

Mr. Robinson nodded, “Please do, Bart.  We’re getting a little concerned.”

Bart picked up the phone,  “Hi it’s Bart.  May I please speak with Tory?”  … Hi Tory, Mr. Robinson wants to talk to you about babysitting his children this summer. … You’ve already met his children.  Here, I’ll put Mr. Robinson on.”

Bart handed the phone to Mr. Robinson.  “Her name is Tory Sweet.”

Mr. Robinson took the phone.  He explained what they were looking for.  “Tory, if you could baby-sit for the children tonight from seven until about 8:30 while we go to the PTO meeting,  you could see how it would be to sit with the children and we could discuss the hours and the pay.  … See you about 6:30.”

Don handed the phone to Bart, “Thanks Bart.  Tory sounds like a very nice young lady.”

Bart started to chuckle, “I rather think so.  She’s my girlfriend.”

Mr. Robinson collected his four children and departed.  Bart lit into me, “Dad, don’t you think you might have asked me if I would baby-sit the children instead of telling me.  Am I going to be tied to them all day, everyday or what?”

Wilt interjected himself in the conversation, “Bart, since Tory will probably be working in the mornings, you wouldn’t have anything to do anyway.  We can arrange to do our planning work here in the afternoons so you can go do whatever a young sixteen year does in the shower.”

Bart started to laugh, “You sound like my Dads.”

“Bart, I’ll finish dinner, you’re off duty for now.”

As Bart was leaving he asked, “Am I babysitting tonight?”

I shrugged my shoulders, “Bart, I don’t know who all is planning to go to PTO meeting.  We’ll just have to be flexible.”

After Bart had departed, Wilt was helping me, “I can understand why Bart would be upset about taking care of the children all the time.  He needs to be able to make some money.”

I laughed, “Wilt, he and the band of which Tory a member, I might add, have jobs every Friday and Saturday night for the rest of the summer.  They are going to be making a test record as soon as one of the members can finish writing some original songs.”

Wilt looked confused, “What’s the name of the group?”

“They call themselves the Fab 9 and Bart is the lead singer.”

Wilt started to laugh, “I thought Bart looked familiar.  One of the johns I was with wanted to go to the Guys and Dolls before I could earn my pay last Friday night.”

I continued, “For your information, I am making sure that Bart is paid for what he would be doing.  He is being home schooled because he has had some experiences similar to yours.  He will be attending Monmouth Academy in the fall.”

Wilt looked funny, “You must be very rich to be able to afford to send him there to school.”

“Bart has been given a scholarship to attend the Academy.  Wilt, last night you said that Zack and I were born with silver spoons in our mouths.  It rather ticked Zack off, because he was raised by his Grandmother when he was young and when she died, his foster brothers, Tip and Ty took care of him and made it possible for him to go to college.  He graduated on Saturday with his master’s degree.”

Wilt looked around the kitchen, “Someone must have some money to be able to afford to live in a house like this.”

“Tip is a doctor and Ty is a lawyer.  I take it that you are not a sports fan.  Ty retired after playing for the Kansas City Chiefs for ten years.”

Wilt sat down on the table and started to laugh, “Mark, this is about as clear as looking through a full bottle of cola.  How long have you worked for them?”

“I started working for them in January.”

Our conversation was interrupted by Chris, “Dad, what should I wear tonight?”

I looked at him, “Son, you look fine.  It will look as if you are on the farm with Farmer Bear.”

“Why are you and Mr. Franklin going to get dressed up?”

I put my arm on Chris’ shoulder, “Mr. Franklin and I are going to be introduced as new staff members, and we want to make a good impression.”

“Dad, am I going to have to stay for the whole meeting?”

“Chris, someone will bring you home.  I think you would probably be bored.”

“Dad, how many people are going to be here for dinner and I’ll set the table?”

I mentally calculated, “I think there will be thirteen.”

Chris pulled open the silverware drawer, “Okay, I’ll set the table for fourteen.”

Wilt challenged, “Why are you setting the table for fourteen instead of thirteen?”

Chris looked at Wilt and frowned, “Because thirteen is an unlucky number and we never know when we might have another visitor.”

Bobby choose that moment to enter, “Nano Mark, can Danny eat dinner with us.  His mother just called and she’s going to be late.  There was an emergency at the hospital.”

“Of course, but Danny needs to let his Mother know where he is.”

Bobby went into the family room, “Danny, Nano Mark says it is okay for you to eat with us, but you need to call and tell your Mother where you are.”

It turns out I recognized Danny as one of the children from the neighborhood, but didn’t know his name.

Wilt asked, “Are you telling me that Chris is psychic, too?”

“Not that I know about.  I sure hope not.”

After dinner, I looked at Bart, “You’re in charge of the cleanup brigade.  The adults who are going to the PTO meeting need to get changed.”

Ty asked, “Mark, what do you think I should wear?”

“Ty, I would recommend that you dress in casual clothes so people don’t think that you are trying to pull the wool over their eyes.  Wilt and I are going to change into more dressy clothes so we can make a good first impression.  Come on, let’s get changed in the apartment.  Chris, do you have everything ready?”

Chris looked at me, “I have everything ready, but my stomach is bouncing around like a rubber ball.”

Zack and I took Wilt to our apartment and Wilt moaned, “Guys, you could put my flat into this living room kitchen area.”

I decided that we need to get moving, “Wilt, let’s go into our bedroom so we get dressed.  Zack, get out of your work clothes.  Get comfortable.  There is no reason for you to suffer.”

I quickly undressed, “I’m going to take a quick shower.” 

When I came out of the bathroom, Zack and Wilt were talking, Wilt looked at me, “I sure am glad that you aren’t one of my johns.  You could do some major damage.”

Zack smirked, “Wilt, Mark better not be messing around behind my back.”

When we got to the first floor, Chris was pacing, “Dads, we need to go.”

When we walked into the multipurpose room, we were met by Dr. Plummer and the outgoing PTO president, Mrs. Greer.  Dr. Plummer looked at Chris, “Chris, you’re going to be the first person to perform tonight.  What do you need?”

“All I need is two stools:  one for me to put Farmer Brown on, and the other for me to sit on so I can sit and talk to him.”

Mrs. Greer added, “Chris, since you will be starting the entertainment tonight, I would appreciate it if you would start the meeting by leading us in saying the Pledge of Allegiance.”

Chris looked at me and I nodded yes and he answered, “I’d be glad to ma’am.  Dad, let’s go make sure that stools are in the right place.”

Zack and Wilt had saved us seats and Jason Berger came and sat down beside Wilt and introduced himself.  Chris was sitting on the chair and his legs were going back and forth a mile a minute.

At seven o’clock, Mrs. Greer went to the podium and motioned for Chris to join her.  She opened the meeting and asked, “Will you please stand for the Pledge Of Allegiance which be lead by Mr. Chris Leavitt?”

After Chris led the Pledge, he went behind the curtain and Mrs. Greer started the meeting.  “Ladies and gentlemen, tonight is a special night here at Belvedere School.  We will be electing PTO officers for the next year as well as meeting some teachers who just today became full time staff members.  As many of you are probably aware, the student advisory council is sponsoring a talent show to showcase the many talents of students here at Belvedere.  We are going to start the meeting with three of the acts who will be appearing in the show this coming Friday.”

“You have already met our first young person, who will be performing, Mr. Christopher Leavitt.”

The curtain opened and Chris was leaning on his stool complaining, “School so boring.   We never get to have any fun.  Maybe I can paint red marks on my body so …”

“Help, get me out of this box,   I can’t breath.”

Chris looked around, “Whose talking?”

“Me, you dummy.   Now get me out of this box, right now.”

Chris opened the box and looked in, “Farmer Bear, what are you doing here?  This is a parent teacher meeting.  It’s no place for a bear 

Chris sat Farmer Bear (F.B. )up in the box.  It was as if Farmer Bear was looking around.  “Chris, it’s easy to tell who the teachers are.  They’re the people who aren’t smiling.”

Chris:  Farmer Bear, why would you say something like that.

 F. B:  Well look at that woman standing in back there with pink shirt on.  She’s frowning.

Chris:  She’s my teacher, Mrs. Howard.

F. B.:  Oh so that the person who is so mean that the windows even shudder when she walks into a room.  Whose that man standing over there in a warm up outfit?

Chris:  That’s Mr. Landon, the P. E. teacher.

F.B.:  Oh, he’s the person that says you can’t go to fourth grade until you can do ten one handed push ups.  I guess you’re going to be in third grade a long time, since you can’t even do one regular push.  Why is Mr. Jefferson here?

Chris:  He wants to be the PTO president.

F.B.:  Why does he want to be the president?  It sounds as if would be hard work.”

Chris:  He says he thinks the organization should worry about making sure we children  get a quality education not taking care of people’s personal agendas.

F. B.:  Chris, why is your Dad here? He’s making me nervous.

Chris:  Farmer Bear, my Dad was hired so he could work here at school.

F.B.:  Oh, what’s he going to do?  I thought he was a Nano?

Chris:  He’s still going to be a Nano, but Dr. Plummer wants him to kill all the night crawlers and fishing worms around the school.

F.B.:  Why does she want him to do that?

Chris:  She’s afraid that the students will get fat from eating all the worms.”

F. B.:  I guess that’s a good idea.  I suppose after that she will want him to catch all the ants around the school so the students don’t get ants in their pants.  Chris, I need to go to the bathroom.  I need to go bad.

Chris:  Well get back in your box.  I don’t want anyone to see me with a bare bear in the bathroom.

Chris put Farmer Bear into the box and ran off the stage.

The people in attendance stood and applauded.  Mrs. Greer went to the podium, “Chris and Farmer Bear, please come say goodnight.”

After Chris returned with Farmer Bear and  bowed.  The people finally  settled down and Mrs. Greer sighed, “Who said that our young people aren't talented?”

To be continued...

Editor's Notes:  Chris is definitely talented, and very smart for someone his age.  Of course he has had a rough time up until he found himself involved with Mark and the others.  He and Bart are both blossoming into very nice young men. 

I think that paraprofessional 'person,' and I use that word loosely, is still capable of causing some trouble and that people should keep an eye out for her. She is not a nice person.  All in all I think things are going very well.  I can hardly wait to see what happens next.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 07/24/09