Benji in Control
by: E Walk
(© 2009 by the Author)
 

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Chapter 3 

Just Another Day

When I walked into the office, Karen handed me my messages.  I looked at her, “Would you please call Patty and tell her that we will be having six extra for dinner tonight?”

Karen looked up, “Dr. C., poor Patty is going to waste away to nothing if you keep dragging home every stray in town.”

“Look, Miss Carpenter, these aren’t strays.  These are Clark’s boyfriend and his four sons.  Tell Patty to alert Denny that we will need the hay wagon to go to the swimming hole after dinner, since we guys are going to go skinny dipping.  Mr. Morgan has some information that he needs to give me.”

Karen giggled, “Gees, boss, this gives me all day to sell tickets to every woman and man on campus.  Patty and I will be able to retire if you keep having these skinny dipping parties.  The word has gotten out that there is a whole lot of meat to choose from.”

“Mr. Oliver called and wants to meet with you, and there was a call from someone named Craig Schumacher.  He wouldn’t say what it had reference too.”

I went into my office and called Bill Oliver‘s office.

His secretary put me through, and he answered, “This is Bill Oliver.”

“Bill, it’s Doug Christiansen.   Karen said you wanted to meet with me.  Why don’t you come to my office in about thirty minutes.  I have several phone calls to make in the meantime.”

I called the number for Mr. Schumacher.  A young lady answered, “This is the Schumacher Agency.  How may I direct your call.”

I looked at the phone, wondering what kind of agency, “This is Acting President Christiansen of the Harwood Community College.  I had a note asking me to call Mr. Schumacher.”

“Just a moment, sir.  President Schumacher is on another line.  He’ll be with you momentarily.”

Okay, so this Schumacher person was the President of an agency, but what kind of agency?  A voice came on the phone, “This is Schu.“

“Mr. Schumacher, this is Doug Christiansen from the Harwood Community College.  I understand that you wanted to talk to me?”

“Thanks for returning my call, President Christiansen. Would you have time to meet with me and my son this evening?  I think you would find it beneficial for the Harwood Community College.”

“Sir, we’re having people for dinner tonight and then we’re scheduled to have a male skinny dipping party.”

“That’s even better.  Where do you live and what time is the skinny dipping party?”

The skinny dipping party will probably start at about seven, and we live at Summerhill.  Summerhill is located on route forty five.  It’s the house with the big pillars on the front.”

Mr. Schumacher started to laugh, “I think I know exactly where you live.  Your house was the one that lit up the sky at Christmas time  We drove by it when we were going to visit my in laws the Langdons.”

I laughed, “If you’re talking about Mayor Langdon, she and her husband were at our house last night.  Mr. Schumacher, we’ll see you and your son tonight at Summerhill.  My secretary just informed me that my next appointment is here. I’ll talk to you tonight.”

I went and greeted Mr. Oliver.  When he sat down, it was obvious that he was more than a little uncomfortable.  I decided to play the devil’s advocate,  “Bill, I guess you and Logan had a successful evening.  Is he moving as gingerly as you this morning?”

Mr. Oliver looked at me, “President Christiansen, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

I shook my finger, “Look Bill, if we’re going to be working together, you need to level with me.  Logan told me that you and he were going to have dinner, and he also told me that he gave up on women a long time ago.  I hope you’re going to pay him back for what he did to you last night.”

Bill was stunned by my comments, to say the least. “President Christiansen, I fail to see what this has to do with the college’s business.  But, I’m planning to make Logan pay big time tonight for what he did to me.  The man is built like a horse.  I guess you probably don’t know what a stallion looks like when he’s excited.”

“Bill, I own a number of horses, and if Logan is as big as the studs, then you’re in for a long ride.  You’ll probably lose twenty pounds or more.  Now what is it that you wanted to see me about?”

Mr. Oliver grinned, “I’ll give Logan a good ride for the money when we pay him each week.  Sir, we certainly can make this a pay as you go project with the funds that we have received so far.  You were right, if Logan had to borrow the funds to do the construction, the additional costs would have far outstripped the money we would have made by investing it just now.  I think the taxpayers of Harwood would probably come and kiss your feet if they knew, since we wouldn’t have to request an additional tax levy.”

I looked at Mr. Oliver, “Sir, I’d like to see the total of funds that have received and that have been earmarked for the new construction of the different buildings.  I think it would be good if we had the figures to present to the Board of Trustees when they meet on Tuesday.  I hope you and Logan can stay out of bed long enough for you to hash out the figures, together.”

Our conversation was interrupted by Karen, “Dr. Christiansen, Governor Perdue is on the line.”

“Bill, excuse me.”  My mind was racing a mile a minute, ‘Why would the Governor be calling me?’

I picked up the phone, “This is Doug Christiansen, how may I help you, sir.”

Governor Perdue very quickly let me know that he knew all about me.  “President Christiansen, I know about you.  I’m very impressed with what you’re doing at the Harwood Community College and with the expansion.  After you’re appointed President on Tuesday, I would like for you to come and address the legislature and show your plans for your expansion.  It is my personal belief that we need a state supported college in your area of the state that can service our young people.”

I was completely mystified by what was happening.  “Sir, I’ll broach the subject with the Board of Trustees at the meeting on Tuesday.  We have received some very substantial gifts from some very generous donors.”

“So I understand, Doug.  I understand that it was your sons that are the persons who are really responsible for getting the project started.  I’ll have my assistant call you next Wednesday and make arrangements for your presentation.”

“Governor Perdue, I really have some reservations about what you're proposing.  It appears to me that this is a ploy whereby the state could gain control of the monies that have been received and will be receiving to help the state with it’s financial shortfall.”

Governor Perdue was quiet for a short time, “Doug, I never meant for it to be construed that way.  But, now that you mention it, there are some people in the legislature who might try to manipulate the funds that you have at your disposal.  Why don’t you plan to meet with me and my aides on Wednesday, say at ten at my office to discuss the matter further?”

“If something should prevent you from being able to make it, call my secretary at 667-4211.  In the meantime, I’ll talk to the Attorney General and see what the legal ramifications are.  I’m looking forward to meeting you on Wednesday.”

I went to talk to Karen, “Karen, we need to find you someone to help you.  What about bringing Julie here to be your assistant, since Clark will be moving into my old office after Tuesday?”

Karen shook her head, no, “Doug, not that I wouldn’t like to have her here, but I think she should stay where she is to help the new person or persons who will be taking Clark’s place.  She knows the ins and outs and would be a valuable resource for whomever replaces Clark.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.  Find someone whom you think you can work with.”

Karen grinned, “Would you have an objection if it were to be a young man?”

“Why would I object?  I’d have to see what he looked like all over, before he would be able to be hired.”

Karen giggled, “I could have him come to the house tonight so he could go skinny dipping with you guys, and you could check him out.  By the way, Clark called and said he would be bringing Tim with him.  I’ve already called Patty and told her to throw another stone in the soup.”

I shrugged my shoulders.  “Call the young man and have him at Summerhill about seven tonight.  There will be so many people in the lake that the water will be rushing into the stream.  When we get out the water level will be next to nothing.”

“Karen, I’m going to go grab a sandwich.  Would you like for me to bring you anything?”

“I brought a sandwich, but some sweetened ice tea would be great.”

While I was eating my sandwich, I started going through the mail.  There were five more checks. “Karen, I’m going to take these checks to Mr. Oliver and check to see how the work on the construction site is going.” 

I went to Mr. Oliver’s office, and Bill was talking to his receptionist.  When he saw he me, “Oh good, I was telling Stephanie that I was going to go talk to you.  Let’s go into the office.”

When we were seated, Bill started, “President Christiansen, I received some more checks today.  I have been having Stephanie make copies of the checks before we deposit them.  I think that you should be the person who signs the letters acknowledging the gifts.”

“Bill, that is one of the reasons I’m here.  I have some more checks that I’ve received in my office, as well.   Our conversation this morning was interrupted by the call from the Governor.  I would appreciate it if you would continue to have Stephanie make copies of the checks, and I would also like to see any correspondence that accompanies them.  I would like to have Karen come up with a response that I can send, to acknowledge the gifts.”

“This proves that great minds do think alike.  I’m going to go see how your stallion is coming along with things at the site.”

Bill grinned, “Tell Logan to be prepared for revenge.”

I went to the trailer and got my hard hat and walked to where Logan was standing, “I’m here to warn you that Bill is out to get revenge for you treating him as if he was a brood mare.  According to Bill, the weapon you’re packing is lethal.”

Logan started to blush and laughed, “So that’s what college presidents talk about.  I always wondered what they did.  Why were you and Bill discussing his bedroom activities, anyway?”

I smirked, “Bill was in my office this morning and was having a difficult time getting comfortable in the chair he was sitting in; it was obvious to those of us who understand such things what had happened to him.  I’m sure he’ll fill you in on the details while he’s getting revenge tonight.  How is the work here progressing?”

Logan, pointed, “The block where the student center building is going to be located is going to be finished this afternoon.  If the weather holds out, we’ll be finished on this block by the close of business tomorrow.  Jack called and he wants to meet with you and me sometime this weekend to go over the plans one more time.  I ordered the first shipment of supplies, and they’re due to be delivered first thing Tuesday morning.”

“Logan, we’re going to be out of town on Saturday.  I should be free anytime after the boys depart on Sunday for Disney World.  Monday is the Memorial Service for Mr. Nixon.  I think it’s at ten o’clock.  Let me know when you want to meet.”

Logan nodded, “Doug, while you’re here, let’s go to the trailer, I have some more coins that were found today.” 

As we were walking to the trailer, Logan thanked me profusely for arranging for him to be paid as the work progressed.  When we entered the trailer, I hung up my hardhat, while Logan opened a  safe and handed me a small bag of coins.

“Doug, if we find any more, I’ll bring them to you on Friday.  I don’t want to leave them in the safe especially over the long holiday weekend.  In fact, I leave the safe open at night and the weekends so if someone were to break into to the trailer, they can easily see that there was nothing of value here to steal.”

I frowned, “Logan, why would you need a safe, anyway?”

“I keep some petty cash on hand, so I can cover small expenses without writing a check.  Don’t worry, I do have a secretary, who will be back to work next Tuesday, and she keeps excellent records.  She’s been on vacation this week since her daughter is getting married on Saturday.”

When I walked into the office, Karen handed me some messages.  “I called Greg, and he’ll be at Summerhill at seven.  If you hire him, I’m sure you will have your shoes licked clean for the rest of your life.”

“Karen, I get the feeling that there's something going on here that I don’t know about.  What is it that you’re not telling me.”

“Why, boss? I wouldn’t do anything to embarrass you.  Just wait until you talk to Greg tonight.”

The phone rang and Karen answered, “He’s standing right here, boss.   Let me put him on.”

“This is Doug Christiansen.”

“Get your ass home.  The next time you send me to do the impossible, I’m going to tell you to shove it.”

“Cole, could you give me a clue as to what is going on?”

“Our four sons have worn me out shopping for special treats for Mikey to take tomorrow, plus our finances are going to be in complete shambles.  We may have to go to the food pantry for food.  The boys want to know who’s coming for dinner tonight?”

“The Morgans, Clark and his nephew, Tim, will there for dinner.  There will be some more people joining us when we go skinny dipping, about seven.   Karen and I are going to bust out of this place for tonight.  We’ll see you shortly.”

I looked at the clock and it was exactly five o’clock, “Karen, we’re going to make it a practice to get out of here on time.  If there’s a crisis, people can always call us at Summerhill.  Are you and Patty going anywhere for the long weekend?”

“We thought we’d go to Atlanta and spend the weekend, since the boys would be gone.  We’ll take a vacation later in the summer after we get everyone trained at the university.  Collie has offered to take care of the boys while we’re gone.  We thought we’d like to go to D.C. since we’ve never been there.”

I stopped at the Appleby’s restaurant on the way home and picked up four gift certificates for the boys to give their teachers as Thank You gifts.  When I arrived at Summerhill, the Morgans were already there and Cole and Larry were sitting on the veranda while the boys were playing soccer. 

When I returned from changing clothes, Clark and Tim were also there.  I looked at Tim, “Holy cow, Tim, how tall are you?”

“I’m 6’4” and I want to know who has a dick bigger than mine?”

I grinned, “I guess you’ll have to wait until we’re skinny dipping to find out.”

Tim sucked air, “I thought Uncle Clark was blowing smoke about skinny dipping.”

The conversation was interrupted, “Dads and everyone, dinner is ready.  Daddy, who’s the giant?”

Tim picked Benji up and growled, “I’m Tim, the mean giant, and I eat mean boys.”

Benji held Tim’s face and kissed him, “I’m the kissing kid and I tame mean giants.  Please put me down, before I get into trouble.”

Dinner was fun for everyone, even for Tim.  Benji kept him involved in the conversation.  Tim was at a loss for words when our four boys started taking their utensils to the kitchen and the four Morgan boys did likewise.  When Benji returned he chastised Tim, “Come on, Gentle Giant, you can help us while the old people get ready to go skinny dipping.”

Tim stood, “You mean you young guys are going to go skinny dipping with us?”

Benji put his hands on his hips, “Look, Gentle Giant, we boys know that you older people have bigger penises than we do, and that doesn’t bother us.  We know that ours are going to get bigger as we get older as will are our testicles.”

Benji came into the dining room where we were talking, or I should say that Larry Morgan was talking, saying he brought the first installment of the money he had received from some of the first coins.  He complained, “I honestly haven’t had time to do much with the coins that Clark brought me last night.  I’ll try to work on those after this holiday weekend, but I need to take care of the four sons first.”

“Larry, I have some more coins for you to take care of.  They were found on the construction site, today.  There’s no hurry.  I just glanced at these and they seem different from the others.  They probably aren’t worth anything.”

Benji   announced, “Dads, it’s almost seven o’clock and Uncle Denny is coming to the loading area.  He has Jimmy and Johnny with him.  Uncle David and Uncle Dan are also with them.  How many more people are coming?”

“Benji, there should be three more people.  If they don’t come in a few minutes, I’ll stay behind and bring them in the cart.”

While Benji and I were talking, the doorbell rang;  Benji ran to answer and returned with a handsome gentleman and another gentle giant, “Dads, Mr. Schumacher and his giant son, Chad, are here.  I think someone else is coming on a motorbike or something.  I'll go see who it is.”

Benji returned, “The super giant, Greg Patterson, has arrived.  He says he’s supposed to see you about a job.  Dads, if this is everyone is here, can we go skinny dipping?”

I stood,  “Let’s go load up and get to the swimming hole.  I'll take care of the introductions when we get there.  We need to get going before Benji goes out of control.”

As we were walking to the wagon, I looked at Cole, “I think it’s a conspiracy to sabotage my career at the Harwood Community College.”

To be continued...

Editor's Notes:  I am getting the impression that several large persons are arriving into the story.  I wonder what that is all about.

I guess we will just have to wait for the next exciting chapter to find out. 

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 12/18/09