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 39
An Entrepreneur Is Born

The next thing I knew, I was being shaken. I opened my eyes and there stood Spencer. “Doctor Dad, could you help me? I thought I saw a snow blower in the garage, and those two sillies are out there shoveling, trying to have heart attacks.”

I pulled on warm-up pants and a sweat shirt and we went to the garage and uncovered the snow blower. He gassed it and said, “Its electric start right?”

I showed him how to start it and he kissed me and said, “Thanks Doctor Dad, when the two guys come in, would you chew them out for trying to ruin their health?”

He left and I watched as he went to work. When he got to Jeff and Tyler, I saw him motioning toward me, but he didn’t stop. The guys both came to where I was standing and I said, “Spencer says you are ruining your health. Now go get breakfast ready.”

At 7:10 Spencer came in and said, “I’m starved, what’s for breakfast?”

I looked at him and said, “Not so fast. You go change clothes and take a hot bath. I’ll take you and Teddy to school on my way to work. Now move, before you develop pneumonia.”

He came back in ten minutes, just as Jeff was leaving. Spencer looked at him and said, “Don’t be too hard on Toby, Jeff. Tyler, shouldn’t you be going to help Kevin with Mrs. B.?”

He finally sat down to eat and said, “Oh good, oatmeal. Doctor Dad, do you have any brown sugar and some milk please?”

“Got it covered, Son.” I answered, as I handed them to him. He cleared the bowl and then had a second one. When he finished he picked up his dirty dishes and put them in the dishwasher.

“I’ll be ready in five minutes, after I brush my teeth, Doctor Dad.” He came back with his book bag and announced, “Ready to ride.” Teddy came in and we climbed into the BMW.

When we got to the school, I asked, “Do either of you need money for lunch?”

“I do.” answered Teddy. “I forgot to tell Dad and Mom.”

“I don’t, because I have a free lunch ticket.” said Spencer.

I parked the car and said, “Troops, let’s go to where they are selling lunch tickets.” We walked to the person selling the tickets and it was Mrs. Layton, one of my patients. “Hi Sally, I would like to buy lunch tickets for these two young men. Why don’t you give us a four months supply for each of them?”

“Doctor Wilson, are you sure you want to do that? Spencer is entitled to free lunches, and what if he moves?” she asked.

“Yep, that’s what I want.” I answered.

She told me the amount and I wrote a check for the total. Spencer seemed to grow two inches when she handed him his tickets. She handed Teddy’s to him and he said, “Doctor Dad, I’ll make sure that Dad and Mom pay you.” They both hugged me.

We walked to their classroom and Jeff and Toby were just arriving. We walked in together and Mark shook our hands. Jeff said, “I think the problem has been resolved. We’ll see you at 6:00.”

Jeff and I left and he said, “Dad, I’ll see you at lunch at the house.”

We were walking down the hall when Spencer came up and asked, “Jeff, could you get me a pound of lean ground beef, so I can fix a meat loaf and scalloped potatoes for the Baxter’s dinner?”

Jeff and I got in our cars and went our separate ways. Meanwhile in the classroom, Toby went to Mr. Bressler and asked, “Sir, may I talk to the class and apologize for yesterday. But before I do sir, I would like to tell you I’m sorry for my actions yesterday.”

“Apology noted and yes you may talk to the class.” Mark answered.

Toby stood before the class and said, “Class, I’m sorry for the way I acted yesterday. Someone please remind me if I get out of line again.” He started to tear up and Bobby Lincoln went up and put his arms around him.

“Toby, my man, we don’t mind you coming out of your shell but yesterday you were like a bull in a China shop.” He held Toby and walked with him back to their seats.

Mr. Bressler got them settled and got them started on writing an English composition in which they were to write about someone other than their parents who was important in their lives. Everyone started to work and Mark walked to Spencer and motioned for him to follow him into the hall.”

When they were outside, Spencer asked, “Sir, did I do something wrong?”

“No, I just wanted to talk to you about what you said last night.”

“Let me see, I said you and that Coach guy were good workers but you needed to take care of your bodies because you both are too skinny. Jeff agreed with me and that’s why you gentlemen are coming to dinner tonight. I probably said some other things but I can’t remember what they were. Beside it’s none of anybody else’s business. You are a teacher and a good one. That’s what’s important.” Spencer said.

Mark squatted down and said, “Spencer, I want to give you a hug and a kiss.”

“Sir, not here please. You could get in trouble if anyone saw us. After all you are a teacher and would probably lose your job. But I’ll take a rain check and you can hug me and give me a kiss when you tuck me in bed tonight.” Spencer said seriously.

Mark got up and said, “Okay Tiger, let’s get back to work.”

Spencer took his hand and said, “Okay Boss.” When they got back to the room, Spencer went directly to his desk and started writing. He ignored the other student’s questions. He was busy writing when the intercom came on.

“Mr. Bressler, would you send Spencer Knight to the office please?”

“Of course Mrs. Dodd, He’s on his way.” Mark answered.

Spencer went to the office and Mrs. Dodd said, “Spencer, Mr. Moore would like to talk to you. Go on in.”

Spencer knocked and Mr. Moore said, “Spencer come in, I want to thank you for the excellent job you did this morning.” He handed an envelope to Spencer. “I would never have gotten to school on time since my snow blower wouldn’t start.”

“Sir, you don’t need to give me anything. I did it because I wanted to.” Spencer said as he tried to hand the envelope back.

Mr. Moore simply raised his hand. “I think you had better get back to class.”

Spencer stuck the envelope in his pocket and returned to class and sat down and started to write again. He was writing furiously when Mr. Bressler said, “Stop. You will finish this assignment for homework. I don’t want it on the computer. I want to see it written in your best cursive in ink. That will be the only homework you have tonight. Now get ready for P. E.”

Jeff stopped at the store on the way home and bought ground beef, ice cream and toppings. He stopped at the Baxter house to drop off the items. When he got there, the walks had not been cleared. He rang the doorbell and went in. He put the things in the refrigerator and freezer and said, “The guys can have an ice cream sundae for their after school snack when they get here. Now do you have a snow blower?”

She looked at him, “Kevin spent so much time trying to get it working this morning that he didn’t have time to eat before he had to leave for work.”

“You do have a snow shovel don’t you?” Jeff asked.

“Yes, I think it is hanging in the garage.” she answered.

Jeff went out and shoveled a pathway to the house and the side walk. Jeff told Mrs. Baxter that he would finish the job this evening. He went home and fixed the things for dinner and put them in the refrigerator and then he fixed a chocolate Texas sheet cake and topped it with fudge frosting. He had just finished cleaning up when the phone rang.

“Jeff Wilson speaking. How may I help you? … Hey Tyler, I can do that. I’ll make you a sandwich and you eat on your way back to work. … See you at 12:15.”

He hung up and called my office. Jane answered and Jeff said, “Aunt Jane tell Dad to go to the Baxter’s for lunch and I’ll see him there.”

When I got to the Baxter house, Jeff was standing at the stove talking to Mrs. Baxter. The table had been set for four people. He turned to me, “Dad, you and Mrs. Baxter get ready to eat. Tyler will be here shortly.”

He served us a bowl of tomato soup and a grilled ham and cheese sandwich with a bowl of mixed fruit. Tyler came in and Jeff ordered, “Sit down and eat while I start unloading the materials from the truck. I’ll just put them in the garage and we can bring them in as we need them.”

Tyler reluctantly sat down and started shoveling the food in. Mrs. Baxter said, “Tyler, relax. You won’t get fired if you are a couple of minutes late.”

“I’m not worried about being late. I just don’t want Jeff hurting himself.” Tyler sighed.

Jeff came in, “Tyler, everything is in the garage.” He sat down and ate his meal.

I looked at the time and said, “Time for us working folk to get back to work.”

Jeff kissed both Tyler and me on the cheek and told us to have a good afternoon and not to forget our newspapers for our driver’s training work.

Jeff cleaned the kitchen and then asked, “Mrs. Baxter, do you have a tape measure handy?”

“I think there is one in the bottom junk drawer.”

Jeff found the tape measure and picked up a pencil and a tablet that were by the phone and said, “Now lovely lady, if you will follow me, we have work to do.”

They went into the bedroom to be and Jeff started by measuring the windows. She wrote down the dimensions he gave her and then he took the tablet and started asking her questions about what colors she would like the walls to be and then asked her what her favorite colors would be for the accessories. He asked specifically, “Do you like frilly things or things with big patterns?”

She looked at him like he had too much to drink but she answered his questions.

Jeff asked, “Where do you keep your bed linens and extra towels?”

Now she was really perplexed but she said, “They are upstairs in the linen closet in the hall.”

“Would it be okay if I went and looked at it, and then checked something in your bedroom?” he asked.

She was really curious now, but said, “You check whatever you want, I am afraid it isn’t really very neat since Kevin has been working at night so much that I haven’t had the heart to ask him to do much more.”

Jeff went and checked what he wanted to see and then came down and put everything away and said, “I really have to get to the high school. The young guys will be here soon. Thank you for your help. I’ll see you after dinner.”

Jeff dashed home and put on a swimming suit and a warm up suit and took his notes and newspaper and went to the high school. At 3:30 he showed up at the pool and handed Matt the list of what he thought should be done today. “Do you want to be in charge?”

“You lead. I’m learning.” Matt answered.

When everyone was out of the dressing room, Jeff had them sit on the bleachers and said, “You need to elect a team captain. I am going to open the nominations now.”

“I nominate Kenny Hendrix.” said a young lady.

“Okay, any other nominations?” Jeff asked.

Kenny said, “I nominate Carl Kelly.”

Carl got up and said, “I would like to decline the nomination. I think Kenny should be the captain, since he is the only one of us who medaled at states last year. I move the nominations be closed.”

“All in favor say yes.” The voices responded and then Jeff said, “All those opposed say nay.” There was dead silence. Jeff said, “Meet your new captain, Kenny Hendrix. Now the next item, since Kenny isn’t a diver, we need an associate captain for the diving team. Any nominations?” Jeff asked.

“I nominate Bobby Talltrees.” said Jimmy. “I move the nominations be closed.”

“Well I guess that’s settled. Now we need a lady swimmer and lady diver to be assistant coaches.” Jeff said.

“Bobby spoke up, “I nominate Jennifer for the swim team assistant and Peggy to be the diving assistant. They are both seniors and have the most experience.”

“I second the nominations.” said Kim. “I also make a motion that the nominations be closed.”

Jeff looked at Matt and Kenny and they both nodded. “All those in favor of the motions raise your hand.”

All the hands went up and Jeff looked around and said, “Okay everyone line up in three rows.” We’re going to do some warm up exercises so you don’t pull any muscles. Kenny and S. S. get up here and help Coach Baldwin and me.” Jeff ordered.

They went through basic exercises and then Jeff said. “The Coach and I are going to talk to the swimmers first and then we will meet with the divers. Bobby and Peggy, you take the divers to the board and practice some basic dives.” Jeff turned to the swimmers and said, “What do you think you need to do to become better swimmers.”

Kenny spoke up and said. “We need to develop leg and arm strength and we need to increase our lung capacity.”

“That’s a good start Kenny, so your job, along with Jennifer, is to develop an exercise program that does those things and whatever else you think will help you all be better swimmers. Now, everyone in the pool and do 10 laps of your favorite stroke.”

Jeff and Matt gathered the diver’s and went through the same routine. When Jeff asked what was important for them, Peggy spoke up and said.

"We need leg strength and if we are doing dives requiring handstands, then we also need to develop our arms' strength. Probably the most important thing for us is that we must be flexible.”

“Bobby, did you hear that? You and Peggy need to work out a plan.” Jeff then called everyone together and said, “Tomorrow night we are going to videotape you each swimming or diving and then on Monday, the Coach will help you analyze how you can improve. Practice is over for today and remember you have got to keep your grades up.”

Meanwhile at the Baxter house, the three ten year olds had arrived. When they went in, Mrs. Baxter told them where the fixings for ice cream sundaes were.

“Okay guys, fix your sundaes and make one for Grams B. Now Grams, do you have a snow blower?” Spencer asked.

“Yes, it’s in the garage, but Kevin couldn’t get it started this morning and Jeff did some shoveling while he was here this morning.”

Spencer went into the garage and before too long they could here an engine running. Spencer went out and started working and finally came back in. “Toby, get two large potatoes and pare them. Teddy, you get two slices of bread and grind them in the blender.” Spencer washed his hands and started fixing things.

The three of them were working when Linda and Eric arrived to take the guys home. Spencer looked at them and said, “Aunt Linda and Uncle Eric you take the other two guys on home. I’ll finish what needs to be done here and then I’ll walk home.”

“Why don’t you call when you’re ready to come, and one of us will pick you up?” asked Linda.

Spencer looked at them and said, “Why waste the gas and besides I used to walk further than that to bring the cows from the pasture two times a day at milking time. Thanks for offering though. I’ll be at the house by 5:15.” He returned to fixing the Baxter’s dinner.

Toby and Teddy both gave Mrs. Baxter a hug and said, “See you tomorrow after school. Thanks for taking care of us.”

To be continued...
 

Feedback always welcome:     

Editor's Note.

Here we go again, another wonderful chapter. Once again we gain more knowledge about the wonderful people in this story. Each new chapter gives us more insight into the personalities of each of them. They become more alive and more interesting to know. I have decided that I want to meet them, and give them each a real warm hug.

Darryl
AKA The Radio Rancher


 

Posted: 05/04/07