The Doctor Gets a Visitor III
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 26
Don’t Mess With Beau

Thursday morning I was awakened by someone giving me a raspberry on my back.  I went to grab him but Beau eluded my reach.  Jason came in with coffee and said, “Come on you old men, we’re going for a run this morning.”

The five of us went for a two mile run, but today no one took off.  We just stayed as a group.  It was like everyone was feeding off each other’s energy.  When we got back to the house, Beau pointed and the rest of us left to get ready for the day.  We returned and he left to get ready.

There was very little discussion and we departed for our days.  Nothing exciting was happening until Lash came to me at lunch time and said, “Jack, Jill was right.  This has been a one man show.  What’s going to happen if we get larger?  There are bound to be clashes between the different people.” 

I motioned for him to bend down.  I held his shirt and said quietly, “Lash, my man, that’s why I am paying you the big bucks.  It’s your job to make sure everything is running smoothly, and if you need to kick some bottoms, do so.  I don’t care who.  I may even need to be whacked a couple of times.”

Lash did something he had never done before.  He leaned down and kissed me lightly.   “Thank you for believing in me.”

I looked at him and said, “Lash, there never was any doubt, was there?  Now I have been ordered to tell you to be at our house at 3:30 on Sunday, while Paul and Coach Winston are being told how to prepare the guys to play baseball.”

Lash laughed, “Paul is so excited that someone has finally gotten Coach Winston to rethink about how he should get the guys ready to play baseball.”

Jeff had an uneventful day except that Dan Crawford was at the Teenage Home when Jeff arrived.  “I was requested to come to choir practice to meet you before I ever met you.” Dan laughed,

“You are welcome anytime.”  Jeff said as he made the all call.

Everyone assembled and Jeff had them go through three songs.  “Okay people, you are ready for Broadway.  You people really are excellent.  I’ll see you all next week.”

One of the young men raised his hand and said, “I thought next week was Easter and thought you college students would be gone.”

“Mikey, we will only be off on Friday and Monday.  We have to work the rest of the time just like you people.” Jeff laughed.

Everyone left except Dan, Danny, and Danny’s mentor.  Jeff looked at him and asked, “Dylan, is there a problem?”

Poor Dylan looked confused, “Jeff, what in the world did you do to Danny?  He’s like a different person.  He’s so vibrant and all he wanted to talk about was Sheriff Dan, you, Beau and Doctor Dad.  He talked about some other people, but it is apparent that he loves Sheriff Crawford, you and Beau.”

“Dylan, it’s a long story.  We had Danny to our house for dinner over the weekend, and Sheriff Dan is the person who rescued Danny from the streets.  I don’t know how much Danny has told you, but he is a very fortunate young man.”

Jeff turned to Josh and said, “Uncle Josh, we’re going to kidnap Danny and take him to lunch.  What time do you want him back?”

Josh laughed and said, “How about 1:30?”

“Come on Sheriff, Dylan and Danny, we’ve got an hour before I have to be back at work.  Sheriff, you take Danny and I’ll haul Dylan to the Madison’s shop.”

They met at the Madison’s and when they walked in, Dan said, “Aunt Em, I’d like you to meet my new friends, Danny and Dylan.   I think you already know Jeff.”

Mrs. Madison greeted them and said, “Jeff is our best customer.  Jeff, several of your other friends are right over there.” 

Jeff looked and Mitch was sitting there with two little guys.  Jeff went over and put his hands over Mitch’s eyes and said in a falsetto voice, “Guess who?”

Mitchell immediately asked, “Jeff, are you following me?”

“No big brother, I had a report that you had two handsome young men in here with you, and I had to come and check it out.  Now you guys enjoy your lunch.  I have to make sure the Sheriff over there doesn’t get into any trouble.”

Jeff went back to the table as Danny asked Mrs. Madison if he could have a hamburger, fries and a coke.  Dylan asked for a cheeseburger, onion rings and a coke.  Dan said, “I’ll have a chicken salad sandwich with a cup of coffee since I have to work tonight.”

Jeff said, “I’ll have a cup of soup, a ham salad sandwich and small salad with the house dressing and a glass of milk please.”

The guys had been visiting when Jeff announced, “I’m afraid I have to go guys, since I have to be back to the campus for a 1:00 class.”

Dylan said, “I have a 1:00 class also, so can I hitch a ride?”

“Of course, let me say goodbye to Mitch and the guys.” Jeff said.

Jeff went to Mitch’s table and hugged the two little boys and said, “Mitch, I’ll see you tonight.”

“What are we doing tonight?” Mitch asked.

“Beau has the art dealers coming to look at the art work.” Jeff said.

“That’s not my problem.  That’s Beau’s and Adam’s problem.  I don’t need to be there for it.” Mitch said.

Jeff went to pay the bill and Mrs. Madison said, “Jeff, it’s already been taken care of.”
 

Jeff looked around and neither Mitch nor Dan had moved.  “Dylan did you pay for lunch?”

“Yes.” Dylan answered.

“Why? You are a poor college student?” Jeff asked.

“Because I enjoyed spending the time with the three of you.  You were such a refreshing change from what I do on campus.  Yes, I am a college student but I wouldn’t say I was poor.” Dylan laughed.

“Okay, let’s put the pedal to the metal.” Jeff said, as they left.

When they got to the college, Jeff pulled into the faculty section of the parking lot.  All of a sudden, Dylan started to laugh.  “I just realized who you are.  I knew that you were something special, but it never dawned on me that you are the Jeff Wilson who works in President Campbell’s office.”

“Hey dude, I’m a student like you, except that you’re a junior and I’m a freshman.”  Jeff hugged Dylan and said, “I’ll see you next week.”

The afternoon was routine.  Jeff went to baseball practice and started to get the team organized.  A senior, Brett Dillon, was elected captain and Kenny and Bobby T. were selected to be the exercise captains.  The team collectively decided which muscles and skills were important for playing baseball.  Coach Winston was busy making notes during the entire time.  Jeff turned to Coach Winston and Coach Murphy and said, “Your presence has been requested on Sunday at 3:30, so Beau can help with some strategy.”

Jeff excused himself and quickly went home, where Mickey and Chris were waiting for him.  He had them working on the piano at the same time.  He had them trying different things.

I picked up Beau, Jason and Davey.  Beau said, “Dad, stop at the pizza shop.  Our pizzas should be ready.  We won’t have time to cook tonight, since I have to be at Chip’s house at 6:30.”

When I got to the Pizza Shop, Beau jumped out and came back with two large pizzas.  Jason set the table as Beau made a tossed salad and fixed drinks.  We had no more than finished eating when Beau asked, “Who’s driving me to the Weaver’s house?”

I spoke up and said, “Jeff and I will take you to Chip’s.  Tommy and Jason can do the dishes.”

“Gee thanks Dad.  We’ll probably still be doing all the dirty pots and pans when you all get up in the morning.” pouted Tommy.

Adam, Grams, Jeff, Beau and I arrived just as the two art dealers showed up.  Beau was showing them around the Weaver’s garage, when one of the dealers cornered Beau and said, “You are a beautiful young man.  I know how to make you feel so good and I’ll make sure you get a great deal on this artwork.”  He went to touch Beau in the genital area.

Beau maneuvered behind the creep, and pushed him against the wall, “Grams, call Chief O’Brien, and tell him this creep is trying to sexually molest a young teenager.  Jeff, get his license plate number when you escort him to his car.  He had better be out of town, in five minutes or he is going to be in the slammer.”

The guy disappeared so fast that no one had a chance to do anything.  The other dealer was left standing there looking a little flustered.  Beau turned to him and said, “Sir, I think there are some valuable pieces here.  We found an original Winchester statue, and a signed painting by Grant Wood in my things.  I think there are some other things of considerable value, but I just haven’t had time to do any research on them.”

The dealer’s eyes kept looking brighter as he looked around at Beau's things.  Beau said, “Now sir, let’s go see Adam’s collection next door.  He has a Picasso and a Klee and lot of valuable items in his collection.”

When the dealer saw the second collection, his eyes began to get even larger.  Beau cut to the chase and asked, “Well sir, are you interested in handling our collections, and if so, what are your conditions?”

The dealer, Mr. Carstairs, said, “I’ll set up your works in the gallery, and hold an auction, do the advertising and I will get five percent of the sales.”

Beau said, “Wrong answer, Mr. Carstairs.  Adam and I will each pay you a flat commission of $50,000.00.  I happen to know that your gallery grossed just over $92,000.00 last year.  Just think of all the exposure your gallery will get, and I’m fairly confident we can direct some more work your way.”

Mrs. Tillison was standing there laughing.  She whispered to Jeff and me, “I can’t imagine everything that Beau is capable of.  He constantly amazes me.”

Mr. Carstairs said, “Young man, you are a hard case.  You haven’t missed much.  I think I just lost all of my clothes and my poor children will probably be starving, but I’ll sign such an agreement.”

Beau pulled out a contract and he and Adam signed it, as well as Mr. Carstairs.  Beau had me sign as the witness, and had Mrs. T. notarize it, “Now, Mr. Carstairs, when can you pick the works up?”

“How about tomorrow at about 10:00?” Mr. Carstairs asked.

“We’ll be here.  My things will be inventoried in 100s and 200s.  Adam’s things will have numbers between 300 and 500.”  Beau said, as he and Adam shook Mr. Carstairs' hand.  Beau looked at him and said, “Mr. Carstairs, you aren’t even married, so I really don’t think you have or ever will have had any children.”

Mr. Carstairs left, shaking his head and laughing.  We were just walking out of the garage, when two couples came up the drive.  Beau looked at them and asked, “How may I help you?”

One of the gentlemen said, “We own an antique store, here in Fremont.  We would like to see what you have to offer, and maybe we can save you from spending a lot of time with a garage sale, and take the things off your hands.”

Beau introduced himself and said, “Let’s look at the Weaver’s garage first.” 

The two couples looked the things over and Mr. Cooper sad, “We’ll give $1000.00 for all the goods.”

Beau started to say something when Chip appeared with Jill and Reg and said, “Beau, come on.  Lenny and Larry want you to see what they have done.”  Chip looked at the two couples and tugged Beau's sleeve and whispered something.

Beau stood up and looked at the two couples and said, “Cub, I have a feeling you are right.  We’ll find out.  Uncle Reg and Aunt Jill, are these people the grandparents that Chip doesn’t have?”

Reg took a deep breath and said, “Yes these are the people gave birth to us and then threw us away.  How did you know?”

“Chip was the person who realized.  He told me to look at Mr. Weaver, and see how much he looked like you, and then he said Mrs. Cooper looked so much like his Mommy with her pretty hair and eyes.  She must have been a beautiful young woman, like Aunt Jill.”

“Okay Mr. and Mrs. Weaver, and Mr. and Mrs. Cooper, now that you have tried to rob your own grandson, the price went from $20,000.00 to $25,000.00.  The sleigh bedroom set is worth between $7,000.00 and $8,000.00.  There are many things of considerable value here, if they are properly merchandised; you can almost double your investment.”

“You have three minutes to make a decision.”  Beau said, as he picked Chip up and was talking to him.

Mr. Weaver said, “Okay young man, how would you like the check made out?”

“Chip, what are your other names besides Cub?” Beau asked.

Chip looked at him and asked, “You mean Charles James Weaver?”

Beau shook his head yes and asked, “So, which of you is Charlie?”

Mr. Weaver said, “I’m Charlie.”

“So Mr. Cooper, you must be Jim.”  Beau said.  Mr. Cooper shook his head yes.

“Make the check out to the C.J. Chip Weaver College Fund please.”  Beau said.

Mr. Weaver wrote the check, and handed it to Beau.  He looked at it and handed it to Chip.  Chip looked at it and said, “That’s a lot of zeroes.”  He handed the check to his Daddy.

“Come on Beau; let’s go check on Larry and Lenny.” Chip was practically pulling Beau.

Beau said, “Chip, go get Mitch and Mrs. Edmond, and have them meet us in their garage.”

Chip took off and Beau said, “I’m going to take you to another garage, filled with items worth a great deal of money.  He led the entourage to the Edmonds’ garage.”

When we arrived at the Edmonds’ garage, Mitch and his mother were waiting with Adam.  Beau said, “Adam, tell us a little about your heritage, please.”

Adam said, “I’m not sure what you want me to say.  One of my mother’s and Mrs. Edmond’s grandfathers was a brother to J Sterling Morton who founded Arbor Day and the Morton house is still standing in Nebraska City.  My father’s father was a General in the Air Force, during the Viet Nam War.  Is that enough?”

“You did just fine.  Now, Mr. and Mrs. Weaver and Mr. and Mrs. Cooper, the price for these priceless items is $30,000.00.  Take it or leave it?

Everyone was standing just watching Beau operate.  The Weavers and the Coopers conferred and Mr. Cooper said with a defeated voice, “We’ll take the goods.”
 

“We need two checks for the merchandise.  One half will go to the Leonard Edmond’s Education Fund, and the other $15,000.00 will go to the Lawrence Edmond’s Education Fund.”  Beau directed.

Mr. Cooper wrote the checks and handed them to Beau who handed them to Mrs. Edmond.  Mrs. Edmond began to cry.

Chip was almost jumping up and down.  “Come on.  Let’s go see what Larry and Lenny have done.  He pulled Beau with him, Adam took Mrs. T. and Mitch walked with Jeff.  The rest of us, including the Weavers and Coopers, slipped in the back door.  When Chip led the entourage in the front door, the assembled people yelled, “Surprise.”  Jeff, Grams and Beau looked stunned.

Beau picked Chip up and asked, “Did you know about this?”

“Yes.” Chip answered. 

“Well, why didn’t you tell me about it?” Beau asked.

“Because, they were going to make anyone who told, run around naked for a week.”  Chip answered.

Beau looked around and said, “Someone’s missing.  Where’s Tommy?”

“I’m right behind you.”  Tommy was standing right behind Beau with Rog and Chief O’Brien.

Mrs. Tillison said, “Okay, who pulled this off?  I can’t believe that one of us didn’t pick up on something.”

Mitch said, “It was done by two people who are here in the room?”

Beau said, “Okay Grams and Jeff, let’s play a game of Winner Takes All.  We’ll each put up $50.00 and if any of us guesses the identity of the people, that person gets the money.  Mitch, we need three pencils or pens and three pieces of paper.”

Mitch brought the supplies.  Beau wrote down two names immediately.  Mrs. T. and Jeff looked around and Jeff wrote his names and finally Mrs. Tillison wrote hers.  Beau said, “Ladies first.”

Mrs. Tillison handed her response to Mitch.  He read, “The Weavers and Edmonds.”  Mitch turned to the audience and we all booed.

Beau said, “Jeff next, since age before beauty.”

Jeff handed his paper to Mitch who read, “Drew and Tyler.”  

“Good guess sir.” Mitch said, as he turned to the assembled group and we all booed.

Beau handed his paper to Mitch.  He looked at it and started to laugh, “The General thinks it was Aunt Cora and Gigi.  What say you audience?”  The young people all stood and shouted their approval.

Mrs. Tillison looked at Beau and asked, “How did you get that?”

I saw them whispering at church last Sunday, when I was in the choir loft and couldn’t figure out why everyone kept answering the phone before me the last couple of days.”

Chip took over and said, “You three have to get homemade ice cream and desserts first, because you are the guests of honor.”

Beau said, “No one makes homemade ice cream, anymore.”

“Well don’t tell my arms that.” shouted Kenny.

The three of them went through the line, and Spencer made sure all the adults including the senior Weavers and the Coopers went through before the young people.  Just as the last people were going through the line, the door opened and Dan Crawford walked in his uniform and called out, “There’s entirely too much noise coming from this house.  The neighbors are all complaining.”

Beau started to laugh and responded, “Why, whatever do you mean, Sheriff?  The neighbors are all here.  Now get your bottom in here, and get some ice cream and dessert.”  Beau escorted him through the line.

Everyone was quietly eating when Jeff stood and announced, “I would like everyone under the age of 22 to listen.  We have been asked to provide the special music at the Sunrise service on Easter.  Practice will be next Saturday at 9:00, at the church, but here is the good part.  There will be a swim party from 2:00 – 4:00 at Gram’s house.  There are no excused absences.”

Everyone pitched in to help clean up the mess. Beau was talking to the Coopers and the senior Weavers when Chip came to Beau and said, “Mommy and Daddy want to know if I’m going to Gigi’s tomorrow or what?”

Beau went and talked to Jill and Reg and made plans for the morning.  Finally, everyone left and I took Jeff, Beau and Jason home.  The phone was blinking.  Jeff picked it up.

“This is Mr. Sanders.  I have evaluated the test results, and would like to share them tonight if it’s not too late.”

Jeff called the Sanders and said, “This is Jeff.  I hope I’m not calling too late. … Okay, I’ll call the Johnsons and have them buzz on over.  They were at the same party we were.”

Before long, we had people all over the place.  Mr. Sanders and Mr. Cross came in, followed by Denny and his parents.  Mr. Sanders sighed and said, “I wish Mrs. Tice could be here, but she had another engagement.  Well, here’s the bad news.  You two ding dongs will be entering high school, ready for the eleventh grade.  I hate to tell you this.  You could very well become outcasts, because people won’t understand what you’re about.”

Denny said, “Mr. Sanders, sir, you ain’t seen two dumber freshmen in your life.  We’ll have the other students feeling so sorry for us, that they want to help us with our work, so we won’t fail.”  Everyone laughed.

“So as of now, Mr. Cross, Mrs. Tice and I are finished with our tutoring.  I talked to Dr. Jeanne, and she said she was going to continue to meet with you two, because she said you weren’t quite ready for post graduate degrees.  Actually, she said she was thinking of trading her husband in for the two of you, because you make her think.

Beau said, “Thanks for helping us sirs.  Now, could you have the boys dropped at Chip’s house in the morning, since we’ll be meeting there tomorrow?  Mrs. Johnson, if you’re available, maybe you could be there to help us, since we won’t have a car if something happens?  Gigi will need to be home when the home work clubs arrive and I’m not sure what Mitch’s schedule is tomorrow.”

Mrs. Johnson agreed to help, and everyone left.  Beau said, “I’m going to bed.  I’m worn out.”

Jeff and I weren’t far behind.

To be continued...

Feedback always welcome:     

Editor's Notes:

Beau always manages to amaze me with what he does and knows. He is really cool.  Do you suppose the older Weavers and the Coopers will be able to make people like them? I have to wonder.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 09/14/07