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 28
Beau Takes Over

The next morning, Jeff was alive again. He awakened me by servicing my joy stick.  I couldn’t believe this was happening.  He was already dressed and when he finished and I was spent, he said, “Get ready, old man.”

He went through the door and started giving Beau a hard time.  “Okay blabber mouth, up and at them.”

Beau came out of his room and climbed into the shower with me.  Beau got out first and said, “Don’t forget to clean the shower, old man.” and he disappeared.

When I got downstairs, Beau was complaining about having to go to school with Jeff.  “I can’t be gone two days in a row.  Besides, Aunt Linda shouldn’t have to give up two days, to cover for me.”

“Beau, I’m fine.  Besides, I have nothing to do here.  I promise, I’ll take good care of Chip and Gigi.”  Linda said.

Beau still wasn’t happy, but he made a list for Linda and said, “This is just a guide.”

Everyone was eating when Jeff handed Beau a card.  He looked at it and handed it to Teddy and said, “Happy Birthday Lieutenant Smith.”

Teddy put it to his head and said, “Oh yes, it’s coming to me now.  It’s a birthday card from Doctor Dad, Beau and Jeff and oh yes and there are three five dollar bills in it.”

He opened it but instead there were fifteen $1.00 bills. “How come everyone else got three fives, and I got a bunch of ones?”

“Because we didn’t think you could count by fives, and I’m not sure that you can count all those ones.” laughed Beau.

“Oh yeah, well watch.  1, 2, 5, 7, 9 … 19.”  When Teddy finished he laughed and said, “Wait until I tell the guys that I got$29.00 instead of three measly fives.

Everyone was laughing, and Eric said, “Teddy, we thought we would celebrate your birthday on Sunday while your grandparents are here.  Is that okay with you?”

“That’s fine, Dad.  The other guys' parents are going to celebrate on Sunday too.”  Teddy assured him.

Everyone finished breakfast and took their dishes and put them in the dishwasher.  Jeff and Beau brushed their teeth and left for Mrs. Tillison’s house.  Jeff came out with two big boxes, which he put in the trunk.  When they got to the school, they put them in Mrs. Tillison’s so called office, which she never used.

When they arrived at Econ, Beau and Dr. Bill visited until it was time for class to begin.  Dr. Potts started to talk and encourage a discussion.  He moved to another topic and when he opened it up for discussion, Beau raised his hand, “Beau, do you have a question?”  Dr. Potts asked.

“Yes sir.  What you said sounds really good, but what if this happened or what if this happened?” Beau asked.

Dr. Potts thought about it and said, “Let’s see what the class thinks.”

The class had a good discussion and it seemed that Beau's question triggered their minds, but they couldn’t come to a consensus.  Finally Dr. Potts interjected, “Beau, thanks for that very astute question.  Class, I’ll tell you what.  I’ll research the issues that Beau raised, and see if I can come up with an answer.”

Dr. Potts looked at the clock and said, “It looks like Beau has learned well from his mentor.  I’m now another day behind my schedule, but it was worth it to see how he stimulated your minds.”

Beau walked up to Dr. Potts and said, “Sir, I’m sorry for disrupting your class.  I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Dr. Potts hugged him and said, “You are a remarkable young man.”

Jeff led his entourage to sociology.  When Dr. Armstrong saw Beau, she hugged him and asked, “General, are you going to be joining us today?”

“Yes ma’am. Jeff is making me take another test later.  Is it okay?”

“Of course.” she said.  She turned to the class.  “As promised, we’ll use the first 15 minutes for the small groups to get together and make plans for their presentation.”

The groups got together and Jeff said, “Why don’t we get together at my house on Monday and Tuesday, and we can work in the study/Beau’s bedroom, where the computer is?  Then we can get our report out of the way on Wednesday.”

Beau was talking with Dr. A. and she showed him a list of topics the groups would be discussing.  “Very interesting, this one should raise a few eyebrows,” as he pointed to Jeff’s group’s topic.

“Yes, I’ll probably get fired after that one.” she laughed.

She called the class back together.  “Do I have a group that would be willing to make their presentation next Wednesday?”

Jeff raised his hand and said, “We’d like to do our presentation then, please.”

“Thank you Mr. Wilson.”  Before Dr. A. could say anything else Beau raised his hand.  “Yes Beau.”

“I noticed that none of the groups is covering three social issues that are receiving much more attention these days.” Beau answered.

“What issues Beau?” Dr. A. asked.

“Rape, incest and prostitution.  If you would like, I can give a little information about these areas from first hand experience.  I will try to keep it at a PG level.” Beau answered.

Jeff looked like he was going to say something but Mrs. T. put her hand on his arm and shook her head.

Dr. A looked at Beau and said, “Please come up, but I think it is a conspiracy to get me fired.”

Beau climbed on the desk and gave a quick summary of what had happened to him leaving out all the gory details.  He told Denny’s story and moved on to Kyle’s story without revealing any identities.  He finished off saying, “I know that these situations all had to do with boys, but I’m sure that young women experience the same problems.  I think I’m out of time.”

Bran raised his had and asked, “General Beauregard, are you okay physically?”

“Thanks for asking, Bran.  I had a colonoscopy yesterday and the doctors say that I had some internal damage, but don’t recommend surgery.  I can tell you this.  My body will never be used like that again.”

Jeff spoke up and said, “Beau, we have to go.  We’re going to be late for your appointment.”

The entire class, including Dr, Armstrong applauded as they left.  Jeff took Beau to Dr. Cornell’s office.  Jeff said, “I’ll leave you here and I’ll go to my next class.”

Beau looked panicked.  “Beau, Dr. Cornell is a lady.” Jeff assured Beau.

Jeff introduced Beau to Dr. Cornell and said, “Beau, I’ll be right next door in Kaiser Hall. When you are through, I’ll be in room 119 until 11:00 and then I’ll be in room 210 after that.  Can you make it there?”

“I think so.” Beau said, a little apprehensively.

Dr. Cornell took Beau to a conference room and said, “I’d like you to complete this test for me.”

Beau looked at it and asked, “Is it timed?”

“No.” answered Dr. Cornell.  “Here are some pencils and paper, if you want to make some calculations or drawings.”

Beau looked at her and asked, “Why am I taking another test to see how much I know.  Did I do that poorly on the one that Uncle Josh gave me?”

“I don’t know. Jeff just asked me to give you a test.”  Dr. Cornell reassured him.

“Thank you.” Beau said, as he went to work.  Dr. Cornell was observing him.  When he finished the test, he went back through and checked his answers.  He handed her the test and looked at the clock.

He was waiting for Jeff to arrive at his 11:00 o’clock class.  “Why did I have to take another test to see how much I know?  Am I that stupid, or what?”

Jeff looked at him and said, “We’ll talk about this tonight, after I get the results from Dr. Cornell.”

“Okay, but I’m not waiting a minute longer.” Beau said defiantly.

Grams looked at Jeff and he shrugged his shoulders.

Jeff looked at the clock and started.  “Today, you are going to start your individual book talks, but before we begin, are there any questions?” 

A young woman raised her hand, “Jeff, I finished To Kill a Mockingbird.  Did things like that really happen?”

“Yes Angela, I’m afraid they did.  Does anyone have any comments?”

 

“Ty, I see you have your hand up.”  Jeff said.

Tyrone said, “I was talking to my Grandmother the other night, and was telling her about my classes, I told her I was reading To Kill a Mockingbird for this class.”

“All she said was, ‘Good on your professor for having you read that book.  Maybe you can gain an appreciation for what black people had to endure in the 1960’s.’”

The room went silent and Beau raised his hand and asked, “Jeff, you have a phone there on the desk.  It looks like a speaker phone.”

Jeff looked at it and said, “Yes.”

“Good.” said Beau as he went forward.  “Grams, what number can I reach Aunt Cora at?”

Mrs. Tillison told him the number and he dialed.

“This is the Tillison resident.  Cora Washington speaking.”

“Hi Aunt Cora, this is Beau, and I am here in class with Jeff and Grams.  We’re discussing To Kill a Mockingbird.  You know the book, right?”

“Oh yeah sweetie, that is one of my favorite books.  In fact your Grams is reading it to me, as she is getting ready for the class.  We are at the part about the trial.”

She stopped and then continued, “Miss Lee was one courageous woman to write a book like that in the 1960’s.  I think she probably got so many threats that she never wrote another book.”

Here’s another question, Aunt Cora.” Beau pointed to Ty.

“Ms. Washington, this is Tyrone Jefferson.  I think that you have the same color skin as I do.” 

Beau interrupted and said, "What Ty meant to say was that you are of a darker pigmentation than some of the rest of us.”

“Yes Tyrone, you are correct in your assessment.” Aunt Cora laughed.

“Have you ever met any people with our pigmentation that you really respect?”  Ty asked.

“Oh yes, I had a chance to meet Martin Luther King.  In fact, I participated in his march on Washington when he gave his wonderful I Have a Dream speech.  Another person I really admire is Ms. Rosa Parks.”

Beau said, “Here’s another question.”

“Aunt Cora, are there people with less pigmentation that you respect?”

“That’s Reg, I think, and yes there are many people that I have great respect for.  I’ll just mention a few.  Mr. John F. Kennedy and Bobby come to mind.  They were trying to make life better for all people when they were assassinated.  And then you have three pretty fantastic people right there in you classroom with you: Jeff, Aggie and Beau.”

“Aunt Cora, Jeff is giving me the sign that he’s going to put a gag on me so I guess I had better go.  What are you having for lunch?” Beau asked.

“Honey, Drew fixed me some chicken salad and some fresh fruit so I’m fine.” she assured him.

“Okay beautiful lady, see you tomorrow.” Beau said, as he hung up.

Jeff came forward and said. “Ladies and gentlemen, Beau has done an excellent job of disrupting the three classes he has visited today.  Dr. Price and I will see you Monday.”

Dr. Price went to Beau and said, “That was a powerful lesson these people aren’t going to forget anytime soon.”

“Thank you Dr. Robbie, Jeff I have to eat.  I’m starved.” Beau complained.

Grams led the guys to the student union. Beau went through the line and picked his food very carefully.  People kept coming up to Beau and talking to him.  Mrs. T. and Jeff said, “We have to go get ready.  Beau, why don’t you put on this CD, and then when you see us, tell the class that the special visitors have arrived?”

Reg and Beau finished eating and went to the classroom.  They were the first there and Reg showed Beau how to work the CD player.  The class started to come in and Beau was watching the clock and looking for Jeff and Grams.  At 1:00 he said, “I’m Beau Benson, and I’m here to introduce today’s special guests.”  He looked at Mrs. T. and said, “I would like to present the beautiful Mademoiselle Tillisony and this is the debonair Monsieur Wilsony.  He started the music and sat down.”

When Mrs. T. and Jeff entered, they were dressed as 17^th century French courtesans.  Jeff even held a handkerchief in his hand.  They started to dance.  Jeff turned the music off and asked, “Does anyone know what that dance was?”

Someone in the back replied that it was a minuet.  Mrs. Tillison asked, “What can anyone tell us about the minuet.”

Tricia spoke up and said, “I think it was the dance of the French court during the time of Napoleon.”

Jeff said, “Actually it predates the time of Napoleon. Now listen to this and see if you can tell any differences.”

He started the music again and he and Mrs. T. started to dance again.  When they finished, Jeff asked, “Could anyone tell any differences between the two dances?”

Adam raised his hand and said, “The minuet was in three quarter time and the second dance was in four four time.”

“Very good.  Does anyone know what the second dance was called?” asked Jeff.

No one raised there hand and Beau put up his hand, “I think it was called a gavotte but it came from southern France, about the same time as the minuet was in Paris and the north of France.  I was reading a book at the library the other day and read about what was happening France at that time”

Everyone was looking at Beau, “Beau is absolutely correct. Okay Show and Tell time is over for today.  Who is ready to do their individual presentation?”

Anne said, “I’ll go first.”  She came up and set up the computer and started the show.  The first picture was of a mother deer and her fawn, the second was the sun shining, the third a picture of Anne, the fourth was a picture of someone sewing and the next one was a lady singing with the word la coming from her mouth.  The next picture was a lady and man drinking tea with Anne and the final picture was the same as the first.”

Jeff came forward and said, “That was brilliant.  Does anyone know what it was?”
 

Reg said, “I don’t know the correct title, but I do know that it is from The Sound of Music because Chip came home the other day singing it.”

Jeff said, “You are correct.”  He went and got his guitar and said, “General Beauregard, get up here and lead these people in the song, as Dr. Campbell shows here pictures.”

Jeff started to play and Beau sang and he was joined by the class.  When they finished, Jeff looked at the clock and said, “Since there isn’t time for another presentation, I heard a song while we were in Omaha yesterday that I would like to sing for you.”

He sang I Bought Me a Cat and when he was finished, everyone was laughing.  “What's so funny?  That song was composed by a famous person. Does anyone have an idea who composed and wrote the words?”

“It had to be an American rather recently.” Adam said,

“You’re right about the American part, but it was written over fifty years ago.” Jeff said.  “I’ll play another song by the same composer.” and he played the Appalachian Springs.

“You have got to be kidding, Aaron Copland wrote something like that?” said Anne.

“Okay class, we are totally out of time.”  Jeff said, as the class stood and applauded.  Jeff said, “Reg, take Beau and get him a coke while Grams and I change.”

“Reg, you can go.  Anita is here, and she can take me home.  Besides I didn’t think Beau drank cokes.” said Mrs. T.

Reg asked, “Is it okay if we drop Chip off tonight, so Jill and I can do some shopping?”

“Of course, some of the other guys will be there also.” Jeff said.

Jeff and Grams went to change and Beau talked to Dr. Anne Campbell.  “Could I borrow the tape of today’s class, and if you have the other classes could I borrow them as well?  I’ll have Jeff return them on Monday.”

“Sure, let me get them, Beau.” Anne said.

“I’ll tell you what; I'll come back and pick them up after Jeff goes to work.  I don’t want him to know what I’m doing.  Where is your office?” Beau asked.

“It’s downstairs in room 121.”  Anne answered.

“I’ll be back within 20 minutes.” Beau said.

Jeff and Beau left to go to Jeff’s office and Beau said, “I’m going to the library, okay?”

Jeff looked at him and said, “Fine.”

Jeff walked into his office, and Mitzie said, “Dr. Cornell is in your office and Dr. Benson called, and wanted you to call him as soon as possible.”

Jeff walked into his office and said, “Good afternoon, Dr. Cornell.”

“Jeff, I am just amazed by the young man you had me test, today.  Beau is truly a remarkable young man.  Here are the preliminary results of his test. His I.Q is about 151.  I’ll refine the findings later.” Dr. Cornell said.

Jeff said, “That is almost exactly what Uncle Josh’s test showed.  Thanks so much for your time.  How much do we owe you?”

She held up her hand and said, “Absolutely nothing.”

She left and Jeff called the home.  “Okay, Beau is with me.  We’ll be there as soon as I can get off work.”

Jeff looked at the clock and walked into the reception area.  Beau was sitting there talking to Mitzie and President Campbell.  They were laughing and Jeff asked, “Anymore calls, Mitzie?”

“None.” she answered.

To be continued...

Feedback always welcome:     

Editor's Notes:

It seems that Beau is pretty intelligent. Somehow that doesn't surprise me in the least.  I have admired him ever since he was introduced.  He is really adorable.

Darryl

AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 07/06/07