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 34
Jason Becomes an Orphan

On Monday morning, I was awakened by a body on mine.  “Doctor Dad, Uncle Jeff says that you need to get up.  You have 20 minutes until breakfast.  Jeff came up and showered, and I could tell he had been exercising.  We went down the stairs and the guys were serving a sausage and potatoes with eggs casserole.

Everyone ate and the guys cleared the table and cleaned up.  We all left except for Linda.  I gave Jason a complete physical, and Jill took his blood and urine samples.  Lash dropped him off at the Baxter’s. He quickly learned that shoes were not permitted in the house.

He adapted to the schedule, and was helping where he could.  At 11:00 Maria Johnson arrived for her first session.  She saw the shoes lined up, and took her shoes off as well.  Beau greeted her and asked, “Mrs. Johnson, what are you doing here?”

“I’m here to give Gigi her physical therapy.” she answered.

Beau took here to Mrs. Baxter’s room and knocked. Since the door was open, Beau said, “Gigi, Mrs. Johnson is here for your physical therapy session.”

“Thank you Beau.  Please show her in.” Gigi said.

“Oh my, what a lovely room.” said Maria, as she went in. 

“How long will you be here?” Beau asked.

“I figured we would have about a half hour session today.”  Mrs. Johnson said.

“We’ll have lunch ready at 11:45.  You will stay for lunch, won’t you Mrs. Johnson?”  Beau didn’t even wait for an answer.  He went back to the kitchen where Chip and Jason were filling muffin tins with blueberry muffin batter.  Beau put them in the oven and said, “Okay men, please set the table for five and Beau was putting the finishing touches on the bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches when the two ladies came in.

The guys went into action and served them a plate, with a BLT sandwich and peach salad with cottage cheese and a muffin, while Beau took the drink orders.  Everyone ate everything, and the guys did the dishes. And Beau said, “Rest period.”

Chip got out his bed roll and lay down with a book.  Jason sat in the recliner and read some comic books.  Mrs. Johnson came in and got her shoes.  Beau went to her and whispered, “Are you coming tomorrow?”

“Yes, I’ll be here at 11:00.” she whispered.

“We’ll serve lunch at noon.” Beau said, as he went to check on Gigi.

She was getting ready to sew, and Beau interrupted her and said, “Gigi, you know the rules.  Get into bed and read.”

He went into the living room and started to read.  At 2:45, he got up and rang a bell.

Chip got up and went to the bathroom and came back and folded his bed roll and then went to check on Gigi.  She had fallen asleep, and Chip touched her arms just hard enough to wake her up.  “Thank you, Chip.”

Beau woke Jason up, and Jason said, “I never sleep in the afternoon.”

“Well, you did today, brother.”  Beau said.  “Now come on, we need to get ready for the guys.”

They went into the kitchen and fixed some celery and carrot sticks, and had a muffin sitting at each of the eight plates when the four guys came in.  Toby looked at the plate and said, “Oh no, we’re eating healthy again.”

Spencer said, “Be quiet, Toby.  At least we have a nice snack.”

Everyone was eating when Jeff and Grams arrived for Jason.  “Come on Jason, time to get you enrolled in school.” 

They went to the school, and had Jason put in Miss Tomlinson’s class.  She came to meet him and it was like Jason fell in love.  When they left, Jason said, “I think I’m going to like being in her class.”

Jason and Jeff dropped Mrs. T. off, and went to start dinner.  Linda came in and said, “Dinner is already cooking.  Go relax.  Jeff went and started to play the piano, while Jason watched. 

The phone rang and Linda answered, “Hi Mrs. T.  …  Yes, let me get him.”

Jeff answered and said, “What’s up Grams?” he listened and said, “Okay Grams.” He went back to the piano and started to play again.  Just then, I arrived with the other two guys.

Beau said, “Something’s wrong.  I can feel it in the music.”

We walked into the music room and Jeff stopped playing and said, “Guys, take Jason downstairs, and watch a show with him.”

Jeff unloaded on me.  “Dad, Jason’s mother and stepfather were killed in a car accident when they were struck by a run away truck from behind.  The sad part is, it happened yesterday, so it looks like they weren’t planning on coming back for him, since they were in Colorado.” Jeff just went limp.

Linda announced that dinner would be ready in five minutes. We went into the dining room and everyone but Mickey, Beau and Linda were seated.  They brought in the food, but Jeff remained totally silent throughout the meal and just picked at his food.  His mind was working a mile a minute.  Out of the clear blue, Jason asked, “Uncle Jeff are you so upset because Mother and my Step Dad are dead, and not coming back?”

Jeff went totally white and went out.  Jason and Beau rushed to him and Beau said, “We’re going to give you the kissing remedy if you don’t snap back.”

The two guys started to kiss him and when Beau kissed him on the mouth, Jeff came to, and said, “Get away from me, dog breath,”

Jeff looked at Jason and asked, “Why did you say those things?”

“Uncle Jeff, I may be only nine, but I have feelings and thoughts, too.” Jason said.

Everyone finished eating, and the doorbell rang.  Beau answered, “Hi Grams.  Uncle Ben, what are you doing back here?  I thought you were supposed to be in Norfolk. Hi Uncle Josh.” He brought them into the dining room.

Jason looked up and said, “That’s okay Granddad and Grams.  I know my Mother and Step Dad are dead, but we need to call Grandma Ginny.”

He got up and led Ben to the phone.  Mrs. T. followed.  After the guys had talked to Mrs. Powers, Mrs. T. was asking about mortuaries and places to stay, and said “We’ll see you Friday or Saturday.  We’ll let you know the details later.”

At 6:55, everyone started to arrive.  Spencer came in with Gigi.  Spencer and Teddy took charge of the four/five year olds, as they arrived, and they disappeared downstairs with Jason.  The rest of us went into the dining room and got settled.  It took only about 30 minutes.  Mrs. Potts would be working with the guys on Tuesday and Thursday from 1:00 until 2:30, Mrs. Tice would come on Thursday from 4:00 until 5:00, Mr. Cross would come Tuesday from 4:00 until 5:00 and Mr. Sanders would come on Wednesday.

Mrs. Johnson said, “I’m going to pull Denny out of school, first thing in the morning.”

“Here is the paperwork for the guys to be home schooled, so you shouldn’t have any problems.” Mrs. Potts interjected.

Beau said, “Next issue, Mrs. Johnson, you are doing physical therapy tomorrow, right?”

“Yes, I’ll be there at 11:00.” Maria answered.

“Good, bring Denny with you, and then you both can eat lunch with us.”  Beau said.  “That’s the least we can do.”

Jeff said, “I have two other issues, as Beau puts it.  First, Mr. Cross and Mr. Sanders, where do your wives work?”

Mr. Cross looked funny, but answered, “My wife works at the hospital as an R. N. on the 4:00 until 12:00 shift.  She is a registered nurse, but she is also a certified dietician, which is what she really wants to do, once Eddie goes to school.” 

Josh and Ben looked at each other and there was some sort of message passed. 

Mr. Sanders said, “My wife also works at the hospital in the evenings.  She is a trained legal secretary, but right now is transcribing doctor reports and entering patient data in the computer.  She doesn’t like the job very much, even though the pay is good.  She works alone from 5:30 on, and gets very lonely. When the twins go school next year, she wants to go back to being a secretary.

Again the look was passed between Josh and Ben.

Josh said, “Gentlemen, if you would have your wives call me to set up an appointment to talk about the jobs that I have at the home, I think it might be worth their time.  My number is 640-3728.”

“Uncle Josh, make the appointments for the morning, and that way they could drop the guys off at the Gigi’s, and I can watch them and have Denny come if I need him.” Beau said.  “I believe Mr. Cross’s wife’s name is Vicky and that Mr. Sanders’ wife is Abby.”

The gentlemen both shook their heads yes.

“Next issue, Jeff?” Beau inquired.

“Go get Mother and Pop and Jill for me.” Jeff said.

They all came in and when they were seated.  Jeff said, “This doesn’t concern everyone, but it is going to be quick. Gigi, I asked you here because I’m concerned about your food bill, especially with you feeding Chip and Beau lunch and snacks twice a day.  Then, when the homework club comes, you feed them snacks also.”

Jill spoke up and said, “Reg and I were talking about this very thing, yesterday.  We weren’t quite sure how to bring up the subject, but I just happen to have an envelope here which I was going to send with Chip tomorrow.  We decided that it should be at least $25.00 a week just for food not counting babysitting fees.  The envelope has $50.00 for two weeks.”  She handed it to Gigi and added.  “If you need more, just let us know.” 

Josh pulled out his wallet and handed her $100.00 and said, “This should cover Beau for the month.”

Ben pulled out his money and handed her $40.00 and said, “This should cover Jason for the month.”

Eric handed her $40.00 and said. “This is for Teddy, since he has been coming to you for three or four weeks already and here is another $40.00 for the next month.”

Linda said, “I’ll call Anita and Mrs. Lincoln and tell them what's happening.”

Mr. Johnson went to reach for his wallet and Mrs. Baxter interrupted.  “Don’t even go there, Mr. Johnson, as long as Maria is doing my physical therapy, Denny can eat, drink and sleep at my house if he wants to.”

Denny spoke up and said, “I’ll take you up on the eats and drink but I don’t think I want to sleep with your three studs.” 

Jeff thanked everyone for coming, and some of the people started to leave.

Beau started on me, “Doctor Dad, call the Montgomery’s and tell them that you will take Davey to school in the morning.  I’m sure that Jason is petrified, and Davey will be able to show Jason around.  Aunt Linda, the brownies are for snack, right?”

“Yes Beau, they are really good with vanilla ice cream.  I’ll come and cut them.”  Linda said.

I called the Montgomery’s and made arrangements to drive Davey to school.

Denny went to the basement to get the guys and brought them back up as Beau started to serve them dessert and milk at the table.  Then the thirteen year olds served the adults their dessert and drinks of their choice.  The young people all helped clear the dishes when people finished and everyone departed except for Grams, Josh, and Ben.

Ben went and got the two young guys and said, “Beau and Jason, we need you for a meeting in the dining room.”

The guys stopped what they were doing and came into the dining room.  “Did we do something wrong?” asked Beau.

Ben assured them, “You did nothing wrong.  Jason, I would like to know why you called me Granddad, and then told us that your mother and stepfather were dead.”

Jason crawled onto Jeff’s lap and said, “Last night, in the middle of the night, I heard a voice that said, “Your mother is not coming back.”  I woke up and started to cry.

“Beau held me close and said, ‘Its okay Jace, let it go.  Jeff, Doctor Dad and I are here for you.’”

“I finally fell asleep, and then this morning when I was brushing my teeth, I felt something behind me.  I looked in the mirror and I saw my Daddy standing there just nodding his head yes.  Then this afternoon when Beau had us in quiet time, I thought about everything that had been happening, while I pretended to read a comic book. Anyway, all of a sudden, it hit me that you are my Grandfather.  Think about how you and Grandma Ginny have talked.  I should have realized it before.” Jason stopped to breathe.

“I am your grandson, aren’t I?” Jason asked.

“Jason, I think, and hope so.  We’ll know for sure this weekend, when we see and talk to your Grandma Ginny.”  Ben answered.

Before anyone else could say anything, Jeff said, “Okay, you two critters, you need to get ready for bed.  You both need a shower.  You smell.”

Jason jumped down and hugged us and said goodnight, but he saved Ben until last.  He grabbed Ben’s face and said, “If I get to live with you, that means Beau has to come too.”  He kissed Ben on the lips.

Beau hugged everyone and stopped at Josh last and asked, “You are going to adopt me, aren’t you?  You do realize that Jason and I get to help pick where we live.”  He kissed Josh on the cheek, and took off.

Mrs. Tillison said, "I can’t believe those two young men.”

Jeff said, “Uncle Josh, I feel another I.Q. test coming on.”

Josh said, “Jeff, I agree with you, but we need to get going, since Ben has to leave at o’dark thirty for an appointment in Norfolk in the morning.” 

As they were leaving, Jeff called out, “Goodnight Granddad Ben.”

Ben turned and said, “Good night boss.”

Jeff and I locked up and got ready for bed.  We had just crawled into bed when the two guys came in.  Beau said, “Jace wants to sleep with you two tonight.”

 

Without thinking, I threw back the covers and Jason stopped. “Doctor Dad, you don’t have any clothes on.”

Beau took charge and flipped the covers off Jeff and said, “Jason, that’s the way big people sleep.”

Jason crawled in next to Jeff and Beau snuggled next to me.  

To be continued...

Feedback always welcome:     

Editor's Notes:

Now there they go corrupting those innocent young boys. For heaven's sake, what is the world coming to?

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 07/13/07