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 34
Monday Madness

The next morning, I was awakened by Spencer’s voice saying, “Doctor Dad, we need to get up; the other guys are already gone.”

I looked at the clock and saw that it said 5:50. I jumped out of bed, and went to the bathroom and got dressed for exercises. When I got downstairs, David had just arrived with the other three guys and everyone else was there except Kevin. As I walked into the kitchen, the doorbell rang and Jeff brought Kevin in and said, “To the basement, everyone.”

Jeff and Tyler put us through the routines. We worked for 45 minutes and then Jeff said, “Good job guys. Now, Dad and everyone else, go get ready for work.” Jeff took Drew and Kevin to the kitchen and took two pie tins out of the oven. He handed one to each of them and said, “These are fully cooked, just put them in the oven at 220 degrees, until you are ready to eat them.”

I came down and everyone was eating, except for Jeff. When I came in, he handed me a large piece of ham and broccoli quiche, and brought one for himself. He started to make a list of all the food items we would need for the next three days, so Eric and Linda could buy them.

Kenny said, “Tyler, Dad gave me these keys to give you, and said, you should get any equipment and supplies you need for the job at the Tillison’s.”

“Thank you Kenny. I guess we had better get going, so we can load the truck and get to work.” Tyler answered. The two guys got up, rinsed their dishes, put them in the dish washer and took off in the truck.

“Spencer, would you and Teddy take care of the dishes, while I shower? I have a busy day, and need to get ready. Pops and Mother, the grocery list is on the table. Add anything else you think we might need. I won’t have time to cook lunch or dinner, so everyone is on their own for the rest of the day. Have a good morning at work, Dad.” Jeff said, as he disappeared from the room.

Jeff had just finished dressing when there was a knock on the door. Jeff opened the door and Spencer said, “Jeff, Grams is on the phone.”

Jeff picked up the phone, “Hi Grams. How are you this morning?”

“I’ll be there in ten minutes. Have Tyler and Kenny ready to go.” Jeff said as he hung up and finished the last minute details.

He turned to Spencer, and said, “I’ll see you at the bank at 11:00. Spencer, you know how to get everyone there don’t you?”

“You better believe it.” said Spencer. “They have my money, and I am not going to forget where they are.” He giggled.

Jeff left and pulled up at the Tillison house. Tyler and Kenny came out and got into the truck and they started lumbering loudly down the street. They pulled up at the GMC dealership and climbed out. Jeff followed Tyler and Kenny into the showroom. They walked to the receptionist and Tyler said, “I am supposed to see Mr. Corl.”

“I’ll page him, Sir.” she answered.

They heard the page and were looking around at the trucks. Kenny said, “I really like that sporty red truck, there.”

“It’s flashy but not very practical.” said Tyler. “This gray one here, has a cab for four, and has everything anyone would need, plus it has four wheel drive. I bet it is not nearly as expensive as the red one. Let’s compare prices. You check the red one and I’ll check the gray one.”

Kenny said, “The sticker price on this one is a little over $33,000.”

“This one is only $22,000 plus a little.” Tyler reported.

While they were comparing prices, a gentlemen had come up and was standing beside Jeff, listening. Finally, the gentleman said, “I’m Mr. Corl. How may I help you? You are correct young man. That gray truck is probably the best bargain we have on a truck, on the lot.”

Tyler shook his hand and said, “I’m Tyler Knight, Sir. Mrs. Tillison said I should bring my truck for you to look at, and see if you can make it run better. I hope the repairs aren’t too expensive, since I only have a limited amount of money. I’ll be at the Tillison house all day, and you can call me there after your people have had a chance to look at it.”

“We’ll call sir.” said Mr. Corl.

Tyler handed him the truck key and said, “It’s the red 1966 Dodge out there. Thank you for your time, Sir.”

“We’ll take care of it Mr. Knight.” he said, as the guys left.

“Okay guys, we need to move. I will get in back, Kenny, you drive and Tyler, you make sure he doesn’t dent my car. I’m already going to be late.” Jeff said.

When they got to the Tillison house, the front seat emptied and Jeff climbed in front and headed for the college. He went directly to the President’s office and when he walked in, the secretary said, “Hi Jeff. Here are the forms you need to fill out. You can take them into your office and fill them out.”

She pointed to a door that had the lettering saying Student Advisor and below was written Mr. J. Wilson.

Jeff went in and filled out the forms and then took them back to the secretary. She looked them over and said, “Everything seems to be in order. Dr. Campbell would like to talk to you.” She called the office and motioned for Jeff to go on in.

Dr. Campbell stood and shook Jeff’s hand and when they were seated, he said, “Jeff, I’m absolutely amazed at your musical ability and the way you work with the young people to get the most out of them. Are you sure you wouldn’t like some additional hours?”

“Sir, I am just beginning college, and I am starting a new life with my father. I need some time to adjust and study. I also have a lot of people at home. I need to make sure they, and some of my other friends are okay before I take on any additional responsibilities.” Jeff answered.

“I knew you were going to say that.” President Campbell said. “I think we are lucky to have your services for two hours, so I won’t complain. Anne would like you to visit with her, before you leave if you have time.”

“I have time, Sir” Jeff said, as he stood up. The two men shook hands and Jeff went directly to Dr. Anne Campbell’s office.

When he got to her office, he knocked and was told to enter. She looked up and said, “Hi Jeff, I have a syllabus for the course and would like for you to look at it and then maybe on Friday, we could get together to decide how we are going to proceed with the class. Also, I wanted to ask you to give one of our students private organ lessons. My schedule this spring is so heavy that I don’t know when I can do it.”

“I would like to meet this person before I commit to the lessons.” Jeff answered.

“He is home with his roommate right now, and is not scheduled back until this weekend.” she said. “I’ll introduce you when we can get the two of you together.”

Jeff nodded and said, “I’ll see you on Friday at 10:00.”

He drove directly to the bank where Spencer was pacing up and down in front of the door. When Jeff walked in, Spencer said, “Where have you been? The rest of your family is meeting with Uncle Hank and Mr. Carmichael. You are to go right into the conference room. I am going to sit in Uncle Hank’s office, and watch television. Now move.”

Jeff knocked on the door and went in. “Hi, Uncle Hank. Mr. Carmichael, you look sharp this morning with that tie and maroon shirt.”

Randy looked up and said, “These young people and your parents have just signed away their lives. Jeff, all we need from you, is for you to endorse this check, and the deposit slip, since you already have two accounts open. I suggest we put this into your investment account. He handed Jeff a check.

“Is this for real?” Jeff asked.

Hank answered, “Jeff, your Granddad gave me the checks yesterday. They are for real. I have an envelope for each of you.”

Jeff opened his note and read it, “I don’t think I can take much more excitement today.”

“Can I use some of mine to buy a motorized scooter?” asked Teddy.

“Teddy, let me see your note.” He read the note and said, “Granddad and Grandmother said the money was to be used for your college education and well being. Besides, I don’t think Toby has one, and I know Spencer doesn’t have one. Case closed.” Jeff pronounced.

“I guess that means I can’t use any of mine to buy a car either.” Sammy said.

“You got that right, son.” Eric answered.

Mickey asked, “Mr. Carmichael, you are going to diversify our investments so that they aren’t at risk aren't you? I don’t want too much of my money put into speculative stocks. I want it to grow and I assume we will receive a statement each month. Is that correct?”

“Michael, I like your thinking. You would make a good banker.” Hank said.

Jeff stood up and said, “If you don’t need me anymore, I have an appointment at 12:00.” He turned to his brothers and said, “Guys, I don’t want you to tell anyone what happened here today. Our friends are not all as fortunate as we are, so please be careful.”

Randy said, “Jeff, we are finished. Thank you for coming. I will probably see you this afternoon.

Jeff stood and shook Randy’s hand and hugged Hank and said, “I’ll see the rest of you about 3:30 when I pick Spencer up for his appointment. I have a feeling that I may not be there for dinner tonight, so go without me.”

Jeff left and drove to my office and came in and said, “Please tell Doctor Wilson that his 12:00 appointment is here.”

Jane looked up and said, “That’s funny, I don’t see anything on the schedule. Can you tell me what it is about?”

“Aunt Jane, just tell the fat man to get out here, and now. I’m starved.” Jeff laughed.

She pressed the call button and said, “Doctor Wilson, there is a skinny kid out here demanding that he see you now.”

I went out and said, “What do you want now hood? I’m not paying you one cent more. Now let’s go eat.”

Jane and Lash were standing there laughing. Jeff looked at them and asked, “Can we bring back anything for you?”

“No thank you, we are meeting Hank and Paul for lunch.” Lash answered.

We left and I asked, “Where to?”

“Someplace nice and quiet, so we can talk.” Jeff answered.

I directed him to a small delicatessen that had soup, sandwiches and desserts. When we walked in, Jeff said, “This is my kind of place.”

We placed our orders and went to a quiet table in the corner. The waitress brought our corn chowder soup. As soon as we finished, she delivered our Monte Christo sandwiches with homemade potato chips

We ate them as Jeff told me about his morning. When we were finished with the sandwiches, the young lady came and took our plates and Jeff asked, Might we have two dozen of a variety of those wonderful looking cookies, please?”

“Yes Sir.” she said, as she left.

She came back with a bag and said, “I put a couple extra cookies in, Sir.” as she handed Jeff the box and put the check on the table.

Jeff picked it up and pulled out $30.00 and handed it to her and said, “Thanks for the wonderful service, Laura. See you the next time.”

As we were driving back to the office, I asked, “Could you bring Tyler and Spencer to the office after their appointment at the bank? I need to get another blood sample. Their sodium and potassium levels were a little low, but I think it may have been caused by their poor diet.”

“Dad, they will be here even if I have to kick their posteriors the entire way here.”

He dropped me off at the office and left for the Tillison house. He went in and got Drew and they left for the high school. They went into the office and Jeff said, “We would like to enroll Mr. Washington here. I believe Mrs. Tillison has already spoken to Mr. Burwell.”

“Just a minute sir.” the young man said. He left and came back and said, “Mr. Burwell will see you now.” He escorted the two guys into the office.

After the introductions and everyone was seated, Mr. Burwell said, “After Mrs. Tillison called me this morning, I took the liberty of calling the Omaha Public Schools and they called me back and told me that Andrew hadn’t been attending class on a routine basis and failed English grammar, American history and applied math. Unless he finds a way to make those credits up he will have to enroll as a second semester freshman.”

Jeff asked, “If we can find qualified persons to tutor him and he completes the work, could we enroll him as a second semester sophomore? When will the teachers be available to talk to them?”

“The teachers will be here for a work day tomorrow. If you can find suitable tutors, it will take a lot of work on Andrew’s part. If it can all be arranged, I will permit Andrew to enroll as a second semester sophomore, courses conditionally.” Mr. Burwell said.

Jeff and Drew went to the car. “I don’t think I can drive Jeff. I am so angry at myself for screwing up my life.” Drew sobbed.

“Man, just drive. You didn’t screw up your life. You just hit a detour and you have enough people who care and will help you fix the problem.” Jeff said. They were quiet the rest of the way to the house and Jeff wondered what can happen next?

To be continued...

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Editor's Notes:

There were some very interesting developments in this chapter. I think drew will prevail and pass the courses. I have confidence in him.

Darryl
AKA Radio Rancher
 

Posted: 4/24/07