The Doctor Gets a Visitor II
by: E Walk

(Copyright 2007 by the Author)
 

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


Chapter 10

It Must Be Friday

The next morning, Jeff woke me up, kissed me and said, “Dad, get your shower and then wake Sleeping Beauty and tell him to get ready to eat. I’ll make sure everyone else is up.”
 
Jeff checked on the other guys and went to the kitchen and everyone piled in. All of a sudden Spencer said, “Stop, everybody. Jeff must be ill. This is the first time since I’ve been here, that we’ve had cold cereal.”
 
Jeff said, “Tiger, you can only have cold cereal after you drink your juice, eat your fruit, and hot cinnamon roll and are still hungry.”
 
Jeff ate his fruit and roll and washed the dishes. I sat there watching the rest of the guys while I drank my coffee.
 
Jeff came to me and said, “Dad, I’ll bring Beau in for a complete physical, as soon as I can get there, but it’s going to be about 4:00. Tell Lash, I want him to perform every blood test and urine test that is known to mankind.” Everyone else was away from the table and Jeff leaned down and whispered, “Beau says he has been used and abused by men since he was 12. Sometime he was used by as many as three men at one time. Please make sure he is okay.”
 
I thought I was going to throw up. Everyone started to leave and Jeff said, “Dad, will you take Spencer and Teddy to school today, please, and I’ll drop Beau off at Gigi’s house.”
 
Jeff dropped Beau off, and picked up Mrs. T. They found that Doctor Potts had completely changed the format of his class. He used some of Jeff’s ideas and assigned each student a topic to research and report on. The reports only had to be about 15 minutes. Jeff’s topic was the Federal Reserve System. Mrs. Tillison’s topic was the gold standard. When the class was over, Jeff and Mrs. T. went and talked to Dr. Bill, and Jeff said. “This should get the students involved so that maybe Economics means something to each of us.”
 
They went to Sociology and Dr. Armstrong was almost like a different person. She turned to the class and said, “Now, ladies and gentlemen, I would like your input in identifying the major social problems of today's society.’
 
The class came up with ten ideas, and Dr. Armstrong looked at the list and said, “Well, those issues are certainly going to keep me busy.”
 
Jeff stood and said, “Ma’am, why don’t you have us do some of the work, so you don’t have to worry about so many areas. If we divide into groups of four, that would leave just four other areas for you. I’ll work with Mrs. Tillison, Tricia and Bran.”
 
Dr. Armstrong just stood there pondering for a bit, but recovered and said, “The rest of you get into groups of four and decide which area you want to cover. We’ll reconvene in 15 minutes and identify your subject.”
 
The other five groups chose their topics and Jeff said, “Our group will tackle the problem of homosexuality in today’s society.”
 
Dr. Armstrong looked at him and said, “Mr. Wilson, are you sure? That is a most controversial issue.”
 
“Ma’am, I’m Jeff, and we think if we don’t address the issue, we are probably missing one of the most controversial and divisive issues facing society today, other than abortion and segregation.” Jeff said.
 
Dr. Armstrong just stood there and then finally said, “Ladies and gentlemen, I can hardly wait until this group makes their presentation. I’ll probably be fired when they finish.”
 
She looked at the clock and said, “I’ll see you Monday. I think this is going to be a fun and exciting class.”
 
Bran said, “Jeff, I’m really looking forward to meeting your Dad, and some of your friends tomorrow. What in the world happened to Dr. Armstrong? She seems like a totally different person.”
 
Jeff just shrugged and walked up to Dr. Armstrong and said, “I enjoyed your class ma’am. My Dad and I are having a small dinner party tomorrow night at 6:00. You will know quite a few of the people there, and we would like for you to come.”
She looked at him and said, “I can’t believe you would ask me, after the way I treated you, I wasn’t very kind.”
 
Jeff looked at her and said, “I’ve already forgotten what happened, so it must not have been important. I’ll see you tomorrow at Dad’s house at 6:00. Here is the address and phone number.”
 
 Mrs. T. and Jeff left for their next class. Mrs. Tillison stood at the front of the class and Jeff sat right in front of her. Reg came and sat down next to him. Reg looked around and asked “What’s happening? Where’s Dr. James?”
 
Mrs. Tillison looked at the clock and said, “I am Dr. Agatha Tillison. I am here to make sure you get the education you paid for. From now on, when you talk to me, you will call Mrs. T. or Grams. Now, I am going to turn the class over to Jeff Wilson, who will be moderating this class. Are there any questions before I sit down?”
 
Tricia raised her hand and asked, “What happened to Dr, James?”
 
“Tricia, he realized that he was unable to meet the needs of the class and decided to resign.” Mrs. T. answered and sat down.
 
Jeff stepped forward and said, “I’m Jeff. Now here is what we we’re going to do. First, there is no text; second, there will be no tests. However, you each will be required to pick a topic and make at least a 15 minute presentation. You will also be asked to keep a journal of each class reflecting on what was presented, and your perceptions of the presentations.”
 
“The journal will be collected and reviewed, but will not be graded per se, but will be evaluated for what you write about your observations. The biggest part of your grade will be based on your participation in the class, and any discussions which might come up.”
 
“Now I would like everyone to come up with some ideas of what the biggest problems facing our government today are.” Jeff said.
 
The class quickly listed thirty issues, Jeff looked at the list and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, this is an excellent start, Now, take two minutes and look at the list and decide which one you would like to do your presentation on.”
 
Jeff quickly took a picture of the list, and said, “Okay, we’ll start here in the front row with Tricia.”
 
“Jeff, I know this isn’t on our list, but I would like to report on the government’s lack of support for research and on a cure for AIDS.”
 
“Tricia, you know that this presentation will be entirely different from what we are going to be doing in sociology class.” Jeff said.
 
“I know, but I think it something that needs to be addressed.” Tricia answered.
 
Jeff wrote on the board and said, “Now Reg, what about you?”
 
“I would like to address the lack of government control of the child care facilities and the government’s lack of sufficient funding for education.” Reg answered.
 
“Reg man, those topics could take three or four class periods at least. Are you sure you want to tackle both of them?” Jeff asked
 
Reg nodded yes.
 
The rest of the students chose their topics, and Jeff had crossed all but four items, Jeff turned to Mrs. T. and said, “Grams, it looks like you and I each have a couple of topics to cover.” Jeff looked at the clock and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, our time is up for today.”
 
Tricia joined Reg, Jeff and Mrs. T. as they walked to literature class. Jeff watched the clock and said, “Good morning ladies and gentlemen.” He looked around and said, “I think everyone is here. I’ve decided to do two book talks today to show you what I’m looking for. They will be very different, so there is no proper way to do a book talk. We’ll discuss the first five chapters of To Kill a Mockingbird next Monday.”
 
Jeff picked up a book and a chair and moved to a corner of the room and said, “Okay boys and girls, come sit around me so you can see the pictures please.”
 
Mrs. T. went and sat right in front of Jeff. Everyone else followed even Dr. Price.
 
“Today, I’m going to share a beautiful book that has won some special awards. The author is Mr. Robert San Souci and the illustrator was Jerry Pinkney. Now listen, and Jeff read the Talking Eggs and told the class about all of the awards the book had won. Now boys and girls, you can go back to your seats.” Jeff said.
 
Jeff helped Mrs. T. up and went to the front and said, “Now, are there any questions or observations?”
 
“Yes Ian.” Jeff said.
 
“I am wondering why you read us a children’s book. I don’t see what that has to do with contemporary American literature.” Ian said.
 
“Ian, I guess you don’t consider children’s books literature. What does modern American literature mean to you?” Jeff asked.
 
I thought we would be reading and discussing novels, poetry and plays.” Ian answered.
 
“I guess you never had a library in elementary school.” Jeff said.
 
Ian answered, “Of course we had a library, and I would check out two books each week and my parents would read them to me when I was younger. In the summer my mother always enrolled me in the summer reading program at the public library.”
 
“I guess you must have read books like Gone with the Wind and War and Peace then. Now, I want you to read the dictionary description of literature,: Jeff said.
 
Ian read the various definitions. And Jeff said, Ian, I guess you would rather read scientific literature then?”
 
Ian looked funny and said, “I give up.”
 
Jeff took the dictionary and said, “For this class, literature will be defined as anything written to provide enjoyment, provide information or express emotions or feelings. When he finished writing, he turned around and asked, “Does anyone have a problem with that?”
 
No one said anything and Jeff turned to Dr. Price and asked, “Dr. Robbie, do you have a problem with this?”
 
She looked at him and said, “Mr. Wilson, that is probably the best definition I have ever seen. It is all inclusive and makes no reference to age, gender, or race.”
 
“My Dad’s not here, Dr. Price, so knock it off.” With that Jeff launched into a lecture on children’s literature, and made the point that reading to children was so very important. He hadn’t even finished when Dr. Price interrupted him and said, “Jeff, it is time to call it a wrap for today.”
 
Jeff looked at the clock and said, “Ian, I am giving you a point for raising the question, and a point for giving me the idea to talk about the importance of children’s literature, but I am taking a point away, for challenging me and one for making me run out of time. I would like to talk to you after class, please. I’ll see everyone on Monday. Have a great weekend.”
 
Dr. Price came up and asked, “Where did this lesson come from? It was absolutely wonderful. I think that next semester we should collaborate on a course dealing with Literature for Young People. Gwen and I are looking forward to tomorrow night. It sounds like fun.”
 
Jeff said, “It’s all Ian’s fault. If he had hadn’t challenged me I never would have gotten started.”
 
Jeff turned to Ian and asked, “I assume you are married by the ring. Do you have to meet your wife or are you free for lunch to join Grams, Reg and me.”
 
“My wife is shopping for furniture for our new apartment, since we are going to be living here after we are graduated in May. We both have found jobs here. She is going to meet me at the union building at 12:45.” Ian said.
 
“Let’s go people; we can grab something fast, since we need to get to class at 1:00.” Jeff said.
 
They were eating when a young woman approached them. Jeff looked up and said, “Hi Leigh. Don’t tell me you’re married to this trouble maker?”
 
“If you mean Reg or Grams, no. If you are talking about Ian, yes.” she laughed.
 
Jeff decided right then and there he liked this couple and said, “My Dad and I are having a small informal dinner party tomorrow night. Why don’t you join us? You’ll fit right in.” Jeff said.
 
Leigh and Ian looked at each other and agreed to come. Jeff said, “Grams you give them Dad’s address and I'll see you there at 6:00. Now I see some people I want to talk to. He walked over to where Tricia and Mitzi were sitting and talking.
 
“Ladies, I gather you two are more than just casual friends. I have a question for you. What are you doing tomorrow night?” Jeff asked.
 
“We were talking about going to Kansas City to get away.” Tricia answered.
 
“Why do that when the two of you can come to my Dad’s house for a small informal dinner party tomorrow night? It will be a lot cheaper and probably a lot more fun. You two talk it over and Mitzi can let me know when I get to the office. Now, I need to get ready for my next class.” Jeff said.
 
Jeff went back to Reg and Grams and said, “We need to go.”
 
They walked to the music building and Jeff said, “Go ahead and go into the classroom, and I’ll be there shortly.”
 
Mrs. T. and Reg went and sat down and were soon joined by Bruce, Dr. and Mrs. Potts and Dr. Price. Everyone was in place and Anne Campbell was beginning to get concerned. Just then Dr. Armstrong walked in and sat in the back.
 
At precisely one o’clock, Jeff appeared wearing and pair of shredded blue slacks and ragged shirt. He started to sing “I'm Yankee Doodle, here in town a riding on a pony. I stuck a feather in my hat and called it macaroni.”
 
When he stopped he looked at the class and said, “I’m sorry, I haven’t seen a lady for weeks. Not since the Boston Tea Party. We have been fighting the Brits and I think we are about to win. Oh, I’m here because Jeff wants me to help you understand that wars have played a big role in the music of our country.”
 
Jeff sang a couple more songs from the Revolutionary War and then stepped into the hall and came back dressed as an aristocrat from the early 1800’s and said, “I’m Francis Scott Key. I was sitting in the Baltimore harbor on a blooming British ship because they were bombing Fort McHenry. It was early in the morning about dawn, and I was inspired to write a poem. I called it The Defense of Fort McHenry. I sent it to the Baltimore Patriot and they published it anonymously. My brother-in-law, bless his heart, suggested I put the words to music. Since I was not a composer, I put the words to a song from England.” (Editor's comment: It was a British drinking song, actually, I believe)


“The music was called the To Anacreon in Heaven written by John Stafford Smith. Any way it was published in 1815 under the name of The Star Spangled Banner. The song was adopted by them army and navy guys as the national anthem. It was officially named the national anthem by Congress in 1931. Now I’m going to play the song for you and would like for you to stand and join me in singing the song.”
 
The class stood with Jeff at the piano leading them in the Star Spangled Banner. When they finished Jeff stood and said, “I have to be going to catch the stage coach back to the District of Columbia. You know, being the District Attorney for the District of Columbia is very time consuming job. Before I go Jeff has asked to play another wonderful song about the same period as the U. S. War of 1812-1814. It has nothing to do with the United States but it’s about a war that was happening at about the same time.”
 
“Now I really have to go.” Jeff started the CD. The song was the 1812 Overture. As it was ending, Jeff came in wearing a coon skin hat and was dressed like a hillbilly with a knife in his belt.
 
Jeff spoke in Appalachian Mountain slang. “I’m Clem Hatfield and Jeff dun sent me to talk to you about that wonderful work. It was written by a foreigner, Pyotr Ilyich Tschiakowsky. Did anyone here recognize that song? It sure was powerful.”
 
“It was the 1812 Overture.” called a voice from the back.
 
“That right Miss Dixon, but do you know what war that was written about?”
 
“Obviously it had to do with something that happened about 1812 but other than that, I have no idea.” she answered.
 
“Can anyone help Miss Dixon?” Jeff asked.
 
Mrs. Potts stood and said, “Mr. Hatfield, I think it was written to commemorate the Russian defeat of the French by the Soviet forces in the Napoleonic Wars.”
 
“Very good, but did you know that Mr. Tschiakowsky wasn’t born until 1840 and the song was first performed in 1882. What makes it so interesting is that it is performed so often in the United States especially around the Fourth of July.”
 
“Now I gotta’ tell you why I’m here. I was down Texas way fightin’ with Davey Crockett and Jim Bowie but I got sent to Gonzales. Them people were about the most courageous people I dun ever met. They captured one of the Mexican cannons and weren’t about to give it up. The Mexicans finally moved east of what is now the city of Houston.”
 
“Santa Anna who was leading the Mexican army became enamored with a beautiful black indentured servant named Emily of Morgan’s Point. He ordered his troops to set up his camp on vulnerable high grounds so he could satisfy his desires.”
 
“Emily had had a black soldier who fell in love with her and she loved him. He wrote this song for her and left it with a yellow rose. Now I’m going to sing it for you.”
 
Jeff picked up his guitar and sang the original words to the song The Yellow Rose of Texas. Well Emily sent strategic information to Sam Houston and that is why the state of Texas in now part of the United States and not Mexico. Now, I really need to go hop on my horse and head home for my son’s 12th birthday. I can hardly wait to taste that possum stew my wife is making.”
 
Dr. Potts stood and said, “Mr. Hatfield, if you see Jeff on your way out, tell him we had to leave since it is already two o’clock.”
 
Jeff took off the coon skin hat and said, Thanks for being such good listeners today. I hope I didn’t bore you.”
 
Everyone just stood and applauded. It was a genuine applause. The applauding finally stopped and people started to leave. A group approached Jeff.
 
Mr. Potts asked, “Jeff, you are going to sing us through the next 160 years of wars aren’t you?”
 
Jeff looked at Dr. Anne Campbell and asked, “What should I do? If I take another entire class period, I’ll never meet all of the objectives in your syllabus?”

“Jeff, just go with the flow. Think of your song Monday, Que Sera Sera.”
 
Mrs. T. said, “Jeff honey, just continue to do your thing.”
 
Jeff turned to Reg and asked, “Are you going to take Grams home?”
 
“Yes.” Reg answered.
 
“Is Jill working tonight?”
 
“Yes.”
 
“Good, I’ll pick you up for tacos at 5:45 and then you can help the guys finish tonight.” Jeff said.
 
Jeff stood and Tricia asked, “Jeff, would it be okay with you if I wrote a feature article about you for the paper?’
 
“Why in the world would you want to do that? I’m just an 18 year old freshman, here to get an education like the rest of you. Now I really need to get to my other job, before I get fired. I’ll see you all tomorrow night.”
   
To be continued...
 

Feedback always welcome:     

Editor's Notes:

My goodness, He is mighty talented, isn't he?  I loved the part about "The Yellow Rose of Texas".  Isn't it nice to actually learn something when you read on line stories?

Darryl

AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 06/01/07