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 15
 Dinner and More

When everyone was seated, the guys started to bring plates with three triangles of cooked dough and a small paper cup filled with a tomato based sauce.  When everyone had been served Jeff went to his place and said, “Everyone join hands please.”

Everyone did as requested. Jeff said a prayer and then said, “Before you, you have three phylo.  One is filled with a sausage mixture, one has a spinach mixture and the third has a mixture of cheeses.  You can eat them with your fingers or with your fork.  You can eat them plain or with the salsa which is mild.”

Aunt Cora and Mrs. T. started to eat them with their fingers and everyone else did the same.  Chip looked at it tentatively and tasted it.  He started to chow down as did everyone else.  Jeff kept looking around.  When everyone looked like they had finished, he got up and took Aunt Cora’s and Mrs. T’s plates.  I watched as all the college students and younger guys including Chip started to help him take the plates to the kitchen.

The older guys started to bring in bowls of steaming soup with two bread sticks standing up and rolls.  When everyone was seated, Chip asked, “Are we supposed to drink this through the straws and what are those red things?”

Jeff said, “These aren’t straws.  They are bread sticks and the red things are shrimp.  Toby would probably be really upset if he didn’t get his shrimp.”

Teddy piped up, “Yeah, Jeff even made sure his bowl had more shrimp than anyone else’s.”

Everyone was busy eating when Anita asked, “Jeff, where did you find this recipe?  It is so different and tasty.”

“Aunt Anita, I rather made it up.  I combined things from several different recipes.” Jeff said.

“Jeff, you mean you fixed this dinner by yourself?” Dr. Armstrong asked.

“No, not by myself.  A lot of people here and some who couldn’t be here helped me.”  Jeff answered.  Mark spoke up and said, “It’s not like we helped much.  We just did what we were told to do.”

Everyone finished and the guys went to work again.  They started to bring plates with a big slice of prime rib, a twice baked potato and fresh asparagus arranged with hollandaise sauce and a touch of pimento on top.  Each plate had a small cup of au jus and another of horseradish.

When everyone started to eat, Jeff stood up.  “Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to thank you all for coming.  We had four reasons for having this party.  First, I wanted those I am close to meet all the people I talk about.  Second, I wanted to butter up my instructors to make sure that I get A’s.  Third, I wanted some people to get to know and meet other neat people. And finally I have some questions.”

Jeff walked over to Jane and kneeled and asked quietly, “Aunt Jane, I understand that you want to retire?”

“Yes.” Jane answered.

“May I ask why?”  Jeff queried.

“I want to stay home and take care of Jimmy.  Cindy wants to go back to teaching.  She and Steve checked into day care, and it was going to cost almost as much as she makes.” Jane answered.

Spencer had been listening, “Aunt Jane, you live close enough to Gigi so if Jimmy gives you any trouble, I can be there in a couple of minutes to talk to him.  The children in Mrs. Ellison’s class will really be glad to have her back.  The substitute is nice, but the children haven’t identified with her.”

Jeff moved to Jill.  “Jill, I understand that you’re a registered nurse, and had a good job and quit.  Would you tell me why?”

Jill answered, “I am a certified nurse; and yes I quit a very good job, because day care was taking almost everything I made.”

“Thank you, Jill.  Would you and Reg go so we can talk to Gigi,?

“Gigi is it okay if Beau continues to stay with you during the day, until we know what it is that's going to happen?” Jeff asked.

“Yes, of course.  Not only is he like a cyclone and our house hasn’t been so clean in a long time, he is good company and fixes healthy food and snacks.”  Mrs. Baxter assured everyone.

“Good, then he’ll be there to help make sure that Chip is okay, and keep him busy so you can work on your sewing.”  Jeff said.

Mrs. Baxter said, “That’s fine with me.”

Jeff directed his attention to me. “Dad, please take Aunt Jane, Lash, Jill and Reg into the music room and talk about what’s going to happen after dinner.  Now, I would like for everyone to introduce themselves.  We’ll start with Aunt Cora.”  Beau stood and whispered something.  “Beau would like for you tell us a little about yourself.  He is especially interested in what your education background is.”

Aunt Cora started, “I’m Cora Washington.  I have a master’s degree in vocal music, and all I do is sit around and watch Jeff and Aggie tell everyone what to do  and when.”

“I’m Aggie Tillison.  I have a PhD in the social sciences, but if anyone calls me Dr. Tillison, they’ll pay big time.  I want you to call me Grams, Mrs. T. or Aggie.  I go to school all day on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and then spend the rest of the week studying.”  Mrs. T. said.

Mrs. Baxter said. “I’m Gracie Baxter.  I have never been to college, because I got married and had Kevin.  I am a seamstress and thanks to Jeff, I’m back in business.

Jeff stood and said, “I would like to have the rest of you stand when you talk, so we can see who you are.”

Dr. Armstrong stood and said, “I’m Dr. Maddie Armstrong.  I teach Sociology at the college.”

The people started to go quickly until it got to Jeanne Potts. “I’m Jeanne Potts.  I have a PhD in Education, with an emphasis on curriculum design.  I have been a teacher, principal and before I retired, I worked in the central office, managing the home school program.  Now, I have a full time job keeping Bill in the right clothes and cleaning up after him.”

Jeff said, “You have your hands full then.”

Dr. Potts broke in, “I’ll get even on Monday, Mr. Wilson.”

“Then I get double even in music.” Jeff laughed.

Gwen Frazier went next.  “I’m Gwen Frazier.  I am a medical doctor and I specialize in pediatrics with children between the ages of two and ten.”

Jeff sparked and Chip asked.  “Does that mean you are going to be my doctor?”

“Chip, honey, I have the feeling that Doctor Dad is going to be your doctor.” she answered.

Chip looked at me and asked, “Doctor Dad, are you going to be my doctor?”

“That depends on what your Daddy and Mommy want, Chip.”  I answered.

The rest of the introductions went quickly until we got to Bran.  I’m Branford Allen.  I’m a senior, and will be graduated in May.  I have a job in Chicago, starting in July.  I’m not sure why I was invited tonight, but I know it wasn’t for the reason I initially thought.”

Bruce got up and said, “I’m Bruce Lansberry.  My story is very much like Bran’s.  After commencement in May, I will be leaving for Chicago.  I have a summer job, and then in the fall I will attend the University of Chicago and start working on my master’s degree.”

Mrs. Tillison spoke up, “Bruce, that’s an excellent choice of schools.”

President Campbell interrupted and said, “I agree with Mrs. T.; that is an excellent choice of schools, since that is where she got her PhD.  What are you going to be majoring in?”

“I plan to get my degree in the social sciences, with and emphasis on economics so I can come back and finally win an argument with Doctor Potts.”  Bruce responded.

Jeanne Potts spoke up, “Bruce, you will probably be able to do that after two weeks of school.”

Everyone started to laugh.

Toby hit his glass of water with his spoon and said, “Here’s what you and Bran need to do.  You need to get together and find a place to live.  That way you can get more bang for the bucks.”

Teddy spoke up.  “Yeah, and just think of the money you can save on food too. And besides you will have someone to talk to while you eat.”

“My brother, Frankie is coming in next weekend for my birthday.  Maybe the two of you can talk to him, since he lives and works in Chicago.  He might be able to give you some ideas where you could live.”   Bobby interjected.

Dr. Potts laughed and said, “That was an excellent lesson in basic economics.  Jeff, I gather that you had no idea that Bran and Bruce were moving to Chicago.”

“Sir, I had no idea at all.  Now, I have six more gentlemen who need to tell who they are.” Jeff said, as he motioned to Toby.

Toby, Teddy and Bobby went quickly.  Spencer stood and said, “I’m Spencer Knight.  Tyler is my brother.  We have been living with Doctor Dad and Jeff, ever since Jeff pulled us out of that flea bag hotel.  Then Jeff went and got the bedrooms at Gigi’s house made into suites, and they kicked us out this morning.”  He sat down.

Jeff motioned to Chip.  Chip stood on the step of the step stool and said, “I’m Chip Weaver.  I am four but going to be five next week, and I belong to my parents.”  He continued, “I almost didn’t know who they were, when they came in tonight, because they got haircuts.  Aren’t they pretty?”

Everyone applauded as Chip sat down. 

Jeff motioned for Beau to stand.  Beau stood and said, “I’m the new kid on the block.  My name is Benjamin Beau Benson.  I’ve been here since Thursday when Jeff rescued me from the home.  I have had more fun in the last 48 hours than I have had in the last three years, and I have never eaten so well.  Now I turn it over to Cinderfella.”  He pointed to Jeff and sat down.

“Does that mean he has a fairy godmother?” asked Chip.

“Chip, actually I have five fairy godmothers – Aunt Cora, Grams, Gigi, my grandmother in Iowa, and my mother.  I also have three god fathers – my Dad, my stepfather and my Grandfather.”  Jeff answered.

Before anyone could say anything, Spencer piped up.  “Those poor fairy godparents must be exhausted from helping to make it so that the cats and dogs don’t run away when you walk by.  I’ll bet you a hundred bucks that if you went to Mr. Lasher’s farm, the goat would run and hide and the chickens would stop laying eggs.” 

Everyone was laughing, even Jeff. Jeff said, “Be careful, Tiger or I am going to ...”

Spencer interrupted, “I know.  You are going to send me back to that flea bag hotel.”

“Nope, I am going to call the Doorly Zoo in Omaha and tell them that we captured the gorilla that escaped.  Mark, how would you feel about having your class at a birthday party in the gorilla cage at the zoo?” Jeff asked.

Spencer started to pretend that he was sobbing and said, “Doctor Dad and Gigi, Jeff is being mean to me.”  He jumped up and went behind Jeff and put his arms around Jeff and gave him a kiss.  “Love you pretty boy.”

Jeff wheeled around and picked Spencer up and Spencer pretended like he was beating Jeff and said, “Put me down you brute.”

Chip started to cry and said, “Uncle Jeff, please don’t hurt Tiger.”

“Cub, I would never hurt the Tiger, but I’m going to love him to death.”  Before Jeff could finish, Spencer grabbed Jeff’s face and they kissed on the lips.

Jeff put Spencer down and Chip said, “Uncle Jeff, I want to be loved to death too.”

Jeff picked Chip up and Chip did what Spencer had done, but Jeff continued to hold him and announce, “Dinner time is over.  Anyone under the age of twelve, please go upstairs and watch the new DVD.”  Jeff put Chip down and the five guys took off. 

“Anyone between the ages of 12 and 25, I would appreciate your help clearing the table and get these dishes cleaned.  The rest of you between 26 and 30 go to the living room where Uncle Josh and Uncle Ben will be serving you whatever refreshments you would like.  Now, I have to go upstairs, since I am only 8.”

“I’ll go with you Jeff, since I’m only 8 and Gwen can come too since she is only 9.”  Dr. Price laughed.

Jeff said, “I think I had better check the kitchen.  There’s way too much laughter.”  Jeff left and went to the kitchen. About 20 minutes later the young adults came in and sat down as Jane, Lash, Reg, Jill and I were coming out of the music room.  Everyone sat and visited and Beau came and sat by me.  Jeff was working the room talking to everyone.

Mr. Lincoln asked, “Jack, could I take Billy and Reg into the music room?  I have some things I would like to discuss with them.”

“Be my guest, Frank.”  I responded and about 15 minutes later the three of them came out and both Billy and Reg were smiling.  The guys upstairs started laughing.

Jeff said, “I think I had better go see what is going on up there, since the video they were going to watch isn’t funny.”

Jeff left and came back shortly with the five guys and his guitar.

To be continued...

Feedback always welcome:     

Editor's notes:

I wonder what Jeff has in mind. Is he going to improvise another song with new lyrics?  Is he going to take the younguns to the zoo and drop them off at the gorilla cages?  Maybe he is going to pretend to be El Kabong and hit them over the head with his Kabonger. (guitar) I guess we will just have to wait for the next chapter to find out won't we?

Darryl

AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 06/15/07