The Doctor Gets a Visitor
by: E Walk

(Copyright 2007 by the Author)
Editor: Radio Rancher
 

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

 

Chapter 23
Getting Ready for the Parties

Jeff turned to Mrs. Tillison and asked, "To what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?"

"I thought we might go shopping for the things we will need for the New Year's Day dinner, but first, I would like to visit with Kevin here. Is that okay?" she asked.

"Why don't you sit at the table, and I'll get us some tea." Jeff answered as he fixed three cups of tea.

When he set the tea down, Mrs. Tillison asked, "Jeff, could you bring the phone please?"

Jeff did as he was asked, and handed it to her. "Thank you. Now Kevin, please call your Mother for me."

Kevin dialed the number and after a couple of rings the person on the other end picked up. "Hi Mom. … I have someone here who would like to speak with you. … Here she is." he said, as he handed the phone to Mrs. Tillison.

"Hi Gracie, this is Aggie. I understand you haven't gotten out much since your surgery. I called to invite you and Kevin to dinner tonight at Farmer Brown's."

She stopped talking and listened. "Nonsense, I'll tell you what. I will wear a warm up suit also, and have Jane and Hank pick you and Kevin up in the van. That way you can rest your leg on the seat. I won't take no for answer, so I'll see you tonight." she said, as she hung up.

"Okay Kevin, you go home and help your mother. I need to borrow Jeff here. We'll see you tonight." she said.

Kevin said, "I'll see you tomorrow when I come to pick up the boxes, but I guess I will see you tonight, first." as he left.

Mrs. Tillison called Jane and said, "Janie, I want you and Hank to pick up Gracie and Kevin Baxter in the van tonight, and take them to the party. Don't say anything about why we are having the dinner."

"Yes daughter. I am not half as bad as Jeff. See you later." Mrs. T. said as she hung up. Mrs. Tillison called Farmer Brown's and gave them the final count. She turned to Jeff, "I thought we'd go buy the things we'll need for the meal on Saturday. Since your parents are coming tomorrow, you will no doubt be so busy that we won't have time, then."

"Good thinking." Jeff answered. "Let me go take a quick shower and change."

"You look fine, just get a jacket and let's move out." she answered.

Jeff yelled, "Toby and Spence, front and center, now."

The two guys came bounding down the stairs and Jeff said, "Get your coats on. We are going shopping." Jeff then yelled to the other guys, "We are leaving. If Mrs. Thompson comes while you are here, see if she needs help. When you go to the office, take the Camry. The keys are on the counter and give each of the two guys an opportunity to drive."

With that, they started to the car and all of a sudden Jeff stopped and asked, "Who drove you here Grams?"

"Nobody." she answered. "I drive all the time, but I really don't like to anymore."

Toby helped Grams into the front seat and the two ten year olds climbed into the back seat and buckled up.

As Jeff started the car, he asked, "Where to?"

"Let's go to Handy's Butcher Shop first, and get the meat." Mrs. T. answered.

"Tell me where to go." said Jeff.

They arrived and Jeff asked, "How many of us are there going to be?"

"Why don't we plan on 40 and then we will be safe. Just don't go finding anymore strays." she laughed.

"Grams, I didn't do this on purpose." he said.

They pulled into the parking lot and as they entered the shop, they were met by the owner, Mr. Handy, who asked, "Mrs. Tillison, how may I help you?"

She turned to Jeff and said, "Over to my chef here."

"Sir, we need enough pork roast to feed 40 people, five pounds of lean ground beef to start with." Jeff said.

Mr. Handy answered, "I think that 16 pounds of prime boneless pork roast should be sufficient. I will get two eight pound roasts and the ground beef."

Toby came up and asked, "Can we have shrimp too? They look so good."

Jeff answered, "Okay, but you have to get them ready."

"I will." said Toby.

"Mr. Handy, we would like five pounds of the largest cooked shrimp please." said Jeff.

He got them and came back and asked, "Will there be anything else for Mrs. Tillison?"

Jeff said, "That is all for Mrs. Tillison, but I would like to make some purchases for my father too."

"Yes sir, what can I get you?" Mr. Handy asked.

"I'd like two and half pounds of good ground beef and two and half pounds of lean ground sausage." Jeff answered.

Mr. Handy brought the items back and said, "Now, what else?"

"We would like five pounds of the medium shrimp, two pounds of those homemade hot dogs, a pound each of the roast beef, turkey breast, and smoked ham sliced thin please." Jeff answered.

"Yes sir, I hope I can remember all of that." Mr. Handy laughed.

"Toby and Spence, we need you." Jeff said.

They came and looked at him and he said, "I want you each to get a cart and come back here, please." Jeff said.

They quickly came back with two carts and waited for their next instructions. Toby handed Mrs. Tillison's things to Toby so he could put them in the cart and then said. "Toby, go help Grams check out, please."

Jeff started to hand Spencer his purchases. Mr. Handy asked, "Now what else, sir?"

Jeff looked around and said, "I would like a pound of the Swiss cheese and a pound of the Colby sliced thin and two pounds of the ham salad spread."

Mr. Handy brought those things back and said, "Is there anything else?"

"No." said Jeff. "My Dad will throw a fit when I hand him the bill."

"Who is your father, young man?" Mr. Handy asked.

"Doctor Jack Wilson, sir." Jeff answered.

"I thought I recognized you. Now I know where I saw you before. It was at the church on Christmas Eve when you were singing."

Mr. Handy walked up to the check out area with Jeff and said, "Blanche, this is the young man who had you crying on Christmas Eve."

"I know dear. I thought I recognized him and Aggie confirmed my thoughts." Blanche answered.

Mrs. Handy started to ring up the items in Jeff's cart and Mrs. Tillison said, "Blanche, I will pay for this also."

"Mrs. Handy, she will not pay for these things or I am leaving without them." Jeff turned to Mrs. Tillison and said, "You are already paying for dinner on New Year's Day and again on Sunday. Dad and I are paying for the New Year's Eve party."

Mrs. Tillison just walked away and smiled.

Spencer was putting the packages on the counter and when Mrs. Handy totaled them and announced the total. He turned to Jeff and asked, "Jeff, are you rich?"

Jeff handed the bank card to Mrs. Handy and turned to Spencer and said, "Spencer, I am not rich, but I am not poor either."

"You mean poor like me and Tyler?" Spencer asked with a sigh.

Jeff leaned down and grabbed Spencer and pulled him close and said, "Tiger, you aren't poor. You have people who care too much about you for you to be poor. Now let's go put these things in the car and motor."

Spencer looked at Jeff and smiled and started to the car. Jeff got up and got his card and the receipt.

Mr. and Mrs. Handy looked at Jeff with tears in their eyes and said, "You must be a special person, Jeff."

"Nah, I just care about people." he said, as he left.

Jeff went to the car and opened the trunk and told the two ten year old guys to put Mrs. Tillison's things on one side and his on the other, They left and Jeff asked, "Where to now, Grams?

"How about the new HyVee store?" I like their produce." she answered.

When they got to the store, Jeff asked both guys to get a cart and when they came back with them, he said, "If I say for Grams, you put it in your cart Toby. If I say for us, Spencer you put it in my cart. Everyone got the rules."

Off they went and Jeff was handing things to the two guys left and right. They walked into the alcoholic section and Jeff asked, "Do you have any kirsch?"

"No" Mrs. Tillison answered.

"We need a bottle of that, and what ever wine you need to go with pork and lasagna for the adults." Jeff said.

Mrs. Tillison got what she would need, plus a little and put them in her cart. When they got to the checkout stand, Spencer was watching as everything was scanned. When Jeff's cart was finished, he started to cry.

Jeff looked at him and put his arm around him as he handed his card to the lady who had checked them out. He held Spencer close and said, "Tiger, its okay. We just love you and Tyler. Now, you and Toby take Gram's groceries to the car and put them on her side." He handed Spencer the keys and the two ten year old youngsters took off.

Jeff got his receipt and card and he walked with Mrs. Tillison to the car. "I am afraid both of the Knight guys are going to lose it tonight." he said.

"Jeff, I don't think so; they will not show their emotion too much until you get home. You will need to keep them so busy that they don't have time to worry about all that has happened to them. If anyone can do it, you can."

To be continued...


Editor's Notes:

Mrs. T is pretty good at seeing what is going on and taking charge when she wants to. She and Jeff are quite a good match, at doing that. I am sure things will work out well.

Darryl
AKA The Radio Rancher

 

Posted: 04/07/07