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 24
 More Power Shopping

The next morning, I was awakened by a fully dressed Beau.  He shook me, “Mr. Postman, you need to get up if you are to be on time.”  He whipped the sheet off me and dashed out the door.  He looked back and said, “Your coffee is on the night stand.”

As we were eating, Jeff reminded me that I was taking Beau with me.  Beau, Teddy and I got ready.  After we had all left, Jeff handed his mother a pattern and said, “When you meet with the other mothers today, tell them what they can get the guys for their birthday.  I have everything listed on this note.  Gigi will do the motifs on them.”

Jeff left and went to his classes.  When Spanish class was over, Jeff went to Senora Cortez and explained in Spanish, that he wouldn’t be in class on Thursday, because he had to accompany a young friend to Omaha to have a colonoscopy.

She stopped him and said in English. “Did you say a young friend was having a colonoscopy?”

“Yes, he is thirteen, and wants me to be with him.” Jeff answered.

Senora Cortez asked, “If you can speak Spanish this well, why are you taking this class?”

“I’ll tell you later.” Jeff said, as he left.

He arrived as Dr. O’Connor was starting his class.  Dr. O’Connor said, “I would like for everyone to tell what happened during your first session with your case studies.” 

Jeff went last and said, “I won’t be going back to the home for anymore counseling sessions.  I have taken my assignment to live at our house.  I pulled him out of the home when he told me his story.  I recorded our interview, and would like to play it for the class.” Jeff continued, “It is rather graphic, so if you choose to leave, I’m sure that Dr. O’Connor will understand.  You have to be prepared for such things, though, if you are going to be working with troubled people.”

Jeff put the tape in and started to play it.  People turned white, but no one left.  When the tape finished, he told the class what had taken place at the home and advised them to expect some changes when they got to the home on Thursday.

“Dr. O’Connor, I have talked to Uncle Josh, who is the acting director at the home, and he agrees that it might be good therapy for the young people, if they had a chorus.  Now here’s the kicker, we would like their student counselors to join the chorus with them.  I will come on Thursday and bring my guitar for a half hour, so we can get organized.  We may not be any good, but it should be fun.”

Dr. O’Connor looked around the class and said, “I think that might be a very good way to get to know the young people.  If they see you people actively participating, they will be more able to envision you as a friend.”

“I’ll try to be at the home at 11:30 on Thursday, but we are taking Beau to Omaha for a colonoscopy at 7:30, so it might be close.”  Jeff said.

Dr. O’Connor said, “Ladies and gentlemen, this has been one of the most interesting experiences I have had in my thirty years of teaching.  I will see you Thursday.”

Jeff was just finishing his time in the President’s office, when Adam came in.

“May I catch a ride with you?  Aaron will pick me up.”

They left and picked up Beau and took him to Mr. Sanders’ office.  Jeff introduced everyone and said, “Mr. Sanders, if you would let the guys call me, when they are finished, I can come and pick them up.”

“I’ll just drop them off, so you won’t have to make a special trip.  I’ll score the test after dinner, while my wife is at work.  I’ll let you know what the results show.” said Mr. Sanders.

Jeff pulled out his wallet and asked, “How much do we owe you, sir?”

Mr. Sanders put up his hand and said.  “This is what I get paid for.”

Jeff and Adam went to the house.  When I got home with Teddy, Aaron was sitting in the living room waiting.  He looked at us and said, “Hi guys, those two are in there, having too much fun.”  I listened and it sounded like someone was trying to mimic the other.

Finally they came out and Jeff said, “Guess we got carried away.  Good lesson, Adam.  Next week we’ll work on the organ at the church.”

Linda came in and announced, “Dinner in ten minutes.”

Beau arrived and everyone assembled in the dining room.  Beau and Jeff helped serve the food.  While we were eating, the phone rang, but Jeff said, “If it’s important they’ll leave a message.”

We finished eating and Jeff picked up the blinking phone and got the message.  “Mick, it’s for you.”  Jeff said, as he passed the phone to Mickey.”

Mickey listened to the message and asked, “Sammy, you’re grounded until when?”

“Until Saturday, at least.” Sammy said, dejectedly.

“Then I have a deal for you.”  Mickey said.  “This lady needs a baby sitter for her three boys on Friday night.  Tell you what.  I’ll return the call and then I’ll turn it over to you.”

Sammy looked at he parents and they nodded, yes.  The guys made the call.  When they came back Sammy asked, “The Lewis’ have asked me to stay all night.  They will be back about 10:00 on Saturday morning.  Is that okay?”

Linda and Eric both nodded yes and Sammy turned to me and asked, “Doctor Dad, you will be home, right?”

“Yep.” I assured him.

“Ma’am, I’d be pleased to baby sit.  May I come over so the guys know who I am ahead of time?”

“Okay, I’ll be there as soon as I finish the dishes.”  Sammy said.

We all took our dishes to the sink and Sammy started to rinse them and Beau tried to help but Sammy refused.

Jeff said, “Beau and Mick, go call Chris and Denny and tell them we’ll pick them up in ten minutes to do some more power shopping.”

The two guys made the call and came back and said, “They are ready to roll.”

Jeff asked, “Mother, can we borrow the van, since there will be six of us?  The keys to our cars are on the hall table.”  We took off with Jeff driving, to where, I didn’t know.

We pulled up at the Toyota dealership.  As we were walking in, we were accosted by a brusque salesman.  “How may I help you gentlemen?  I’m sure that I can make you a deal that will knock your socks off.  What are you going to be doing?  Collect some chicks?”

Jeff calmly said, “We’d like to talk to Mr. Lowe, please.”

“He’s the sales manager.  He doesn’t talk to clients.” the creep declared.

Jeff walked around the creep and went to a microphone setting on the desk and said, “Mr. Lowe, there are some visitors here, to see you.”

Mr. Lowe came out of the back and said, “Hi Jack, I didn’t expect to see you.  I was expecting a Jeff Wilson.”

I laughed and said, “Jeff here, is my son.  Jeff, this is Craig Lowe.”

They shook hands and Jeff introduced the four teens as the salesman glared at us.  Jeff turned to me and said, “Dad, what color car would you like?”

“How about another white one?”  I answered.

“Nope.” said Chris.  “If you get another boring white car, people will think you are in a rut.”

The guys looked around the show room.  “How about this red one?”  Denny asked.

“Nope.  Jeff already has a red car.” Mickey said.

Mickey asked, “How about the black one, here?  It has nice lines.”

“Nope.” said Denny.  “He’s a doctor not a mortician.”

“Hey everyone, look here.  Here is the perfect car for Doctor Dad.  It’s elegant and looks like it has all of the special gadgets and beautiful leather seats.”  Beau said.

It was a gray Avalon.  Everyone agreed, even Jeff, that it was the perfect car.  Mr. Lowe said, “I can give you a special deal on that car.  It was special ordered by a gentleman for his wife.  When he took it home to her, she didn’t like it, so he just brought it back.  He didn’t even request his down payment back.  I can let you have it for $100.00 over cost.  Would you like to take it for a test drive?”

Jeff answered, “If it’s not too much bother, sir.”

Craig maneuvered the car out of the showroom and handed me the keys.  The four young teens and I buckled in and took it for a short drive.  As we left, Jeff handed Craig his bankcard and said, “I have already arranged for the money with the bank.”

Craig left and had returned when the guys and I returned.  The guys were all excited and said, “We’ll take it.”

“Jack, if you will just sign these papers, you can take the car home tonight.  It has already been fully serviced.” Craig said.

As I was signing the papers, Beau said, “That salesmen who met us, needs to learn how to deal with people.  He is one of the rudest people I’ve ever met.  Believe me, when I’m ready to buy a car it sure won’t be from him.”  Beau had said it loud enough that the jerk heard it.  The jerk turned and went into a cubicle.

Craig said loud enough so the salesman could hear, “He’s already on probation.  He has only one more chance, or he’s gone.”

Craig handed the keys to Jeff.  Jeff turned and handed them to me and said, “Merry Christmas, Happy Birthday, and Happy Halloween, Dad.”

“Don’t forget the Fourth of July.” quipped Denny.

We left with the car, and the van.  Jeff led us to the Target parking lot.  The guys picked out the five skateboards they wanted, and Jeff picked up five birthday cards.  We dropped Denny and the skateboards at Denny’s house.  We then delivered Chris.  As we were going into the house, I told Beau, “Please call Drew and ask him to come over.”

Beau picked up the phone and said, “Mr. Washington, the Doctor would like to see you, and now.  Please get your body over here.”

As Beau was hanging up, the doorbell rang and there stood Mr. Sanders with his twin, four year old sons.  He introduced them to Jeff, and Jeff called, “Chip and Doodle, come here please.”

The two guys came tumbling down the stairs with Teddy.  “Hi guys, here are two more friends for you to visit with.  This is Timmy, and this is Danny.  Beau and Teddy take these handsome young gentlemen into the kitchen and get them a snack.”

The guys all left, and Ben and Josh walked in with Mrs. Tillison.  Jeff took us into the dining room where Mr. Sanders explained the test results.  “The two guys are definitely weak in some areas, especially math and English grammar.  I’m surprised how similar the results are, I have the feeling that they are both very intelligent young men, but this test doesn’t measure potential, unfortunately.”

“Mr. Sanders, if I get the rest of the players here, would you be available to meet tomorrow night, and would you be available to discuss the results in detail with some people?” Jeff asked.

“Yes, if I can bring the guys.” he answered. 

“I’ll make sure that Chip is here at least, and maybe Eddie.  Are you certified in any academic areas other than counseling?”

Before Mr. Sanders could answer, there was a knock on the door.  Beau came in and said, “Mr. Cross is here.” 

Jeff perked and said, “Ask him to come in, please.”

When Mr. Cross came in, Jeff explained what was happening and said, “Can you be here at 7:00 tomorrow night?”

“Yes, if I can bring Eddie.” he answered.

Jeff turned to Mr. Sanders and said, “You were going to tell us about your credentials.”

“I am certified to teach grade six through 12 sciences.”  Mr. Sanders answered.

“That’s even better.” Jeff said.

Jeff turned to Grams and she nodded yes.  Ben and Josh both nodded yes.  Jeff said, “Let’s go check on the guys, and Dad, you can get these people an after dinner drink while I make some phone calls to make sure the others can be here.”

We went into the kitchen and the guys had just finished a sundae.  Beau and Mickey were doing the dishes.  Teddy asked, “Is it okay if we go back upstairs.  The guys want to watch the rest of Riki Tiki Tavi.”

Everyone left the kitchen and Jeff started to make some phone calls.  First he called the Potts.  When Dr. Bill Potts answered, Jeff said, “May I please speak to the beautiful Dr. Potts please?”

“Speaking Jeff.” said Dr. Bill Potts.

“Forget it; I guess you haven’t looked in the mirror, lately.  Now let me speak to your lovely wife.”

“Hi Jeff, what can I do for you?” Jeanne asked.

“I was hoping you might be available to come to the house tomorrow night at seven to discuss Beau’s future?” Jeff said.

“I’d be glad to come, if I can bring little Billy, since I don’t like to drive at night.” She said.

“That’s fine.  Tell him I’ll pull out the building blocks for him.  See you two tomorrow night, then.”  Jeff said, as he hung up.

Next he called the Johnson’s and they agreed to be there with Denny.

He called Mrs. Tice and said, “May I speak to Mrs. Tice please, this is Jeff Wilson?”

“Hi Jeff, what can I do for you?” she asked, when she came on.

“I was wondering if you would be available to attend a meeting here at our house tomorrow evening at 7:00?” Jeff asked.

“Is it about Drew?” she asked.

“No, this is an entirely new matter.  This one is even more critical than Drew’s.” Jeff assured her.

“Sounds intriguing, I’ll be there.” she answered.

Jeff came in and announced, “The meeting is set for tomorrow night at 7:00.  All the necessary participants can be here.”

The Sanders and the Crosses were just departing when Kenny, Drew, Dana, David and Candy walked in.

“Jeff, we need your help.” said David.  Jeff led the 16 year olds into the dining room and told Mickey to go get Sammy. 

After Sammy arrived, Dana said, “We decided what we were going to get the guys for their birthdays.  We know that Kenny, Drew, Dina and Lori are going to get them roller blades so we thought we would get them helmets. We need their head sizes.”

Drew said, “We need their shoe size, also.”

Jeff left and came back with Beau and told him. “These high school people need your help.  Drew and Kenny need the guys shoe sizes and the others need the head measurements for helmets.”

Beau looked at them and asked, “What's it worth to you?”

“We’ll take you for pizza and a beer.” David answered.

“Forget that.  I want a steak dinner with a V daiquiri and then one of those chocolate sundaes they call Brandy Alexander.” Beau flipped back.

Beau got up and said, “Now, I have to go check on Chipper.  Call me tomorrow, and I’ll have the information.”

There was a knock on the door.  “Come in.” Jeff called.

Mickey came in and said, “Dana, since Sammy is grounded until Saturday and he is babysitting on Friday, I have a job for you too, if you would like.  Mrs. Winston is on the phone, looking for someone to sit her girls.  What do you say?”

Dana went to the phone and she had a babysitting job too.

Everyone disappeared and Jeff came into the living room.  “Uncle Josh and Uncle Ben, may I talk to you please.”

The three of them left.  “I made an appointment to have Beau reevaluated on Friday.  Uncle Josh, if I pick Denny up, can I bring him to the home so you can give him an I. Q. test tomorrow at 4:00 so we can have it for tomorrow night’s meeting?”

Josh looked at him and said, “Jeff, you need to stop trying to solve everyone’s problems.

“I know, sir.” Jeff sighed. “I’ll see you tomorrow about 4:00.”

Everyone started to leave and Reggie came looking for Chip.  He’s upstairs with the guys.” Jeff said.

They went upstairs and Teddy and Chip were asleep on the bed. Jeff said, “Let them sleep.  Reg, when you drop Jill off at work tomorrow, bring some clean clothes for Chip.  After all, it is his birthday tomorrow, and we don’t want a tired birthday boy.”

Reggie and Jeff came back, as I was talking to Billy, Tyler and Kevin.  They were nodding.  Tyler said, “Okay, see you tomorrow at 7:00.  We’re out of here.”

Jeff said, “Dad, let’s go to bed.  I’m exhausted, and I’m not ready for tomorrow, but I’ll get up early.  Come on General.  Let’s get going.”

Linda and Eric looked at me and said, “Your house is busier than Chicago’s O’Hare Airport.  We’ll lock up.”

“Linda, are you going to be around tomorrow, because I have furniture and other items coming.  Anita will be here, but the things will be going several different places.”

As far as I know.  I had a great day out today with Mrs. T and the others.” Linda said.

Eric said, “I’ve really enjoyed getting to know Mark and Matt and the swim team.  They have made me the unofficial diving coach, since I am certified judge.  They welcomed me because they realized Jeff is stretched about as far as he can go.”

“I agree with you, but I don’t know how to get him to back off.” I said.  “I’d better go or he will be down looking for me.”

Boy was I wrong.  When I went into the bedroom, there were four sound asleep bodies on the bed.  I went to the hall shower and took a quick shower and fortunately had remembered to bring a pair of briefs with me.  I climbed into bed next to Teddy.

To be continued...

Feedback always welcome:     

Editor's Notes:

Someone told me that some of the chapters in this story move too fast.  I agree that they do have a lot in them, but if you think about it, we still haven't had the birthday party yet.  There are really a lot of things going on and they never stop being extremely interesting.

Darryl

Posted: 06/29/07