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 33

Easter Morning

The next morning everyone was up and ready.  Beau and Danny had fixed large cinnamon rolls, juice and fruit.  Ginny decided that she couldn’t be ready so she asked that someone come back and get her before the 8:30 service.  The guys piled into two cars and away they went. 

I took the other three in my car.  I think we were surprised at the number of people who were already there when we arrived at 6:55.  Adam, Jeff, Chris and Mickey were playing the entering music and at precisely 7:00, they began to play the processional.  When the Bishop and Father Gilbert were seated, Beau sprang to life.

“He’s alive.  Did you hear Jesus is alive?”  He started down the aisle at a fast pace and stopped and said, “Mr. Cooper, he’s alive.” He continued down the aisle and stopped and hugged Mrs. Tice and said, “Mrs. T., aren’t you excited?  Jesus is alive.” 

He started skipping down the aisle singing Christ is Risen Today and stopped in front of Aunt Evelyn and said, “Aunt Evelyn, Jesus is alive.”  He kissed her and then moved to the altar area and said "Bishop Lancaster and Father Gilbert, stand and shout, 'He’s alive!'”

The two clergy men did as he requested and Beau said, “Gentlemen listen, it sounds like people are singing in the street.  They sound like they need some help, so let’s get the congregation to stand and give them all the support they can, as they come by.”

The congregation stood and sang, as the choir entered and processed.  The sound was wonderful.  The song finished and Beau passed signal and the choir sat as one.  Beau started to go to join the choir but Bishop Lancaster guided him to the seat next to him.  Father Gilbert was delivering the welcoming and making the announcements while the Bishop was pointing out to Beau what he wanted him to do.

Bishop Lancaster gave Beau a wireless microphone.   After Father Gilbert sat down, Beau came out and said, “Good Morning ladies and gentlemen, I would like to share four passages from the Bible that describe that first Easter morning over 2000 years ago.  Listen to the Word.”

He read passages from Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and then said, “It’s absolutely unbelievable that there could be four different accounts of this story in the Bible.  They are different and yet the same.”

Beau went to talk about the four great miracles that God had performed. The first being the Creation, then the birth of Jesus and then his death and his resurrection and finally the fact that we were all here today to enjoy this beautiful Easter morning.

When it was time for the offering, Beau asked Spencer to come out and discuss the fund for the needy that had been established. 

Spencer said, “The fund has been almost depleted.  The demand for it has been far greater than anyone envisioned.”

“So all a person has to do is come and ask for help?” Beau asked.

“No, that’s not the way it works.  The requests come in and there are five of us who evaluate them and then Mrs. Hughes checks the request to make sure the requestors aren’t abusing or misusing the welfare system.”

“So how many families and individuals have your committee helped so far?”

Beau asked.

“I think we have helped about 70 applicants and we have had to be very selective because we only had so much money to work with and now I am sorry to say that is almost all gone.”  Spencer said.

Beau said, “I’m just amazed that the need in a small city like Fremont is so great.  Ladies and gentlemen, dig deep to support this cause.  I have just decided that the loose offering today will go to support this cause as God and Jesus would want us to do.  We need to do our part to carry on this great mission work that Spencer instigated.”

“Now will the ushers please come forward to receive the gifts these generous people brought?”

Spencer melted into the choir for the song and Beau went and got the offering plates, handed them to Father Gilbert and slipped into the choir pews.

Father Gilbert blessed the offering and the choir sang the anthem.  Bishop Lancaster did the Prayer of and for the People and when the recessional started, the two clergy went and got Beau and had him escort them out.

Beau shook a lot of hands and hugged a lot of people.  It was almost time for the 8:30 service, and Beau dashed to the bathroom.  When he returned he said, “Mickey and Chris, you have to help me.  I can’t do this again by myself.  Beau went outside and came back with a long stick.

When the Bishop and Father Gilbert were seated, Beau started down the aisle acting like an old man.  “This is so confusing; I can’t understand how that stone was moved away from the tomb.  Hey Mickamus and Christophus, do you understand what is happening with all these people shouting he’s alive, he’s alive?”

Mickey said, “Beauamus, this is probably another of God’s miracles.  It isn’t for us to figure out what or how it happened, but why.”

“I guess you are right Mickamus.” Beau said as he struggled forward.

Chris said, “Beauamus, here come those young people again.  Maybe you could get the congregation to help them and then take a nap when Father Gilbert does the welcoming and announcements.”

Beau got the congregation to join with the choir as the choir came in singing.

Beau hobbled over and sat down beside the bishop who gave him a thumbs up.  This time, Beau paraphrased the scriptures and only recited one of them.  The message he delivered was the same, but different and no one was moved during the service.

When it was time for the offering, it was basically the same but was Spencamus and Beauamus talking about the special offering.

After the Lord’s Prayer which Beau said in segments and the choir sang the same segment before he went to the next segment.  When he finished and the Bishop had finished the benediction.  He and Father Gilbert escorted Beau, in his old man mode, to the back to greet the people. Beau was talking with people and shaking hands while the rest of the choir were having hot chocolate and doughnuts.

When Bishop Lancaster and Father Gilbert were getting ready to make their entry for the 11:00 o’clock service, Beau was talking to Chip and announced, “Chip is going to be going to the front with me.” 

When the clergy were seated, Beau started, “Chip, isn’t this exciting?  Jesus is alive.”

“Uncle Beau, I really don’t understand what’s happening.  I heard Mr. Mickamus talking about miracles.” 

“Chip, let’s go to the altar area and I’ll try to explain a little more about what is happening.  Listen Chip, What do you think that sound is?”

“It almost sounds like cats and dogs, but I bet it those young people that have been singing all morning.” Chip answered.

“Yeah, we really need to get the congregation ready to help them as they come by.  They do sound a little tired.” Beau said.

The two guys skipped to the altar area singing Christ the Lord Is Risen Today.  They motioned for everyone to stand and Chip said, “The young people are singing the song on page 115 and we really do need to help them.”

The choir arrived at the altar area and Beau led them into the pews.  Everything went basically the same until the scripture reading.  Beau went to front and pulled out a stool and asked, “Chip could you come here?”

“Yes, Uncle Beau.” Chip said, as he leaned against Beau. 

“Chip, I am going to tell you what the Gospel of Luke said about the first Easter morning.  It’s on page 1518 of the pew bibles.”  He recited the passage without reading.  Most of the people realized that he was not reading, but followed along to make sure he didn’t miss a word which he didn’t.  Beau suddenly switched the order of the service.

He pulled Chip to him and said, “Chip, I think we need to get Mr. Spencamus out here with us.” 

Spencer came out and stood beside Beau.  Beau said, “Spencamus would you tell these wonderful people about the funds for the needy the church has.”

Spencer told about the fund as they had done earlier and Beau reminded the congregation that they should give cheerfully without reservation as God and Jesus had done.”

Chip looked at Beau and asked, “Does that mean like Uncle Jeff did for Daddy, Mommy and me?”

“What do you mean Chip?” Beau asked.

“Well Mommy and Daddy were both working hard, but we didn’t have any money and Daddy was going to have to stop going to college so he could get another job.  Uncle Jeff came to the trailer and gave my Daddy $500.00 and said he didn’t want the money back until I finished college.”

Spencer spoke up and said, “Yeah, Jeff and his family are like that.  They give unconditionally.  Tyler and I were living in one room at an old hotel and Jeff and his Father took us into their home and we’ve had nothing but good things happen since.”

“I guess Uncle Jeff and Doctor Dad understand what God did when he gave us his son Jesus and doesn’t want us to be treated like Jesus was.” Chip said.

Spencer said, “Let’s hope the rest of the congregation is as generous with their money and unconditional love as Jeff and his family and God and Jesus.”

Beau asked the ushers to receive the morning tithes and gifts and the three guys went to join the choir in the song.

When the ushers brought the money forward, Spencer went to collect the full plates and hand them to Father Gilbert who shook his head no.  Spencer said a simple prayer of thanks and asked that God help the gifts to make the lives of people better.

He ducked back to choir and they sang the anthem.

Beau motioned for Spencer and Chip to join him, as Bishop Lancaster did the prayer for the people and he closed and said, “Please rise for The Lord’s Prayer.”

Beau started to recite the Prayer and then the choir hummed as Chip and Spencer sang the phrases after Beau sang them.  After the final Amen, the three guys skipped down the aisle singing Christ the Lord Is Risen Today and when they got to the back, they turned around and raised their fists and yelled, “He’s alive!”

Bishop Lancaster came forward and said, “Just so the people in attendance and those of you watching on television know, this service was totally unrehearsed and completely spontaneous.”

The recessional started and Beau found a stool for Chip to stand on.  Beau wanted to get away but the Bishop and Father Gilbert insisted that the people wanted to talk to the three guys.

The guys were very proper and polite as they shook hands and greeted everyone.  Beau was very skillful in getting people to talk.  When the Davises came through, Beau ignored everyone else and hugged and kissed them. 

He picked Chip up and told him to kiss Grandpa Davis.  Chip held Mr. Davis’ face and kissed him and then pulled away.  Chip said, “Thanks Grandpa Davis, I needed that.”  He then did the same to Mrs. Davis.

When Beau put Chip down, Chip said, “Spencer, you need to kiss Grandpa and Grandma Davis.  They know how to kiss almost as good as you.”

Spencer hugged Mr. Davis and Mr. Davis held him for a long time.  Mr. Davis had tears in his eyes as he released Spencer.   Spencer had tears in his eyes when he hugged and kissed Mrs. Davis.

Beau and Chip escorted the Davises to their van and kissed them again.  They came back and Beau was accosted by the Colliers.  Casey’s father indignantly said, “We’re taking Casey, now?”

Beau put his hand and asked, “Who are we and where are you taking him?”

Mr. Collier arrogantly said, “I’m his father and my parents are here and want to take us to lunch.”

“Sir, I’ll get Casey and bring him back, and we can discuss it, but you are not going to tell me what you are going to do.  You and your family allowed this situation to develop and Casey is enjoying himself with his peers.”

Beau went and got Casey and when Casey saw Carlton, he pulled back against Beau.  Beau said, “Casey, your grandparents want to take you and your family to lunch.”

Casey asked, “Do I have to go?  I want to go to the swim party and don't want to be anywhere near him.” as he pointed to Carlton.

Beau thought for a minute and said, “Mighty Casey, do you love your grandparents?”

Casey said, “Yes, they have always been wonderful to us, and Chucky before he killed himself.”

Beau closed his eyes and then turned to the Colliers and said, “Grandpa and Grandma Collier.  Casey will go with you to lunch under these conditions.  First, he will sit between the two of you during the meal.  Second, if Casey has to go to the bathroom, Grandpa Collier you and you alone will go with him, and finally, Casey will be back at Grams house at two o’clock or I’ll call the Chief of Police, Chief O’Brien and the state patrol, if I have to.”

Beau turned to me and asked, “Dad, do you have any quarters?”

I handed Beau three quarters and he handed them to Casey and said, “If anything happens, call 911 and then call Dad’s house.  We’ll be there until about 1:50.  After that call Grams house and yell Strip Poker.  Under no circumstances are you to go into your old home.”  Beau said, as he handed Casey the numbers.

He turned to Grandpa and Grandma Collier and said, “When you bring Casey to Grams' house, you are more than welcome to stay and watch the fun.”

He turned back to Casey and said, “Don’t worry, Casey, we’ll have a swim suit there for you and if I don’t see you by 2:00 I'll call in an amber alert.  Now you go get your jacket, while I get you parents and grandparent’s license numbers.”

The Colliers left and Beau was starting to shake and I started to move toward him but Dylan, Carole and Dylan’s parents and grandparents came up and said, “We’re going to lunch.  We’ll see you at Grams' house at two.”

Beau said, “Remember, the guys aren’t permitted to wear bikini suits or they’ll make me feel bad.  O course C. A., if you want to wear a bikini or nothing, the guys will probably like that, but they might laugh uncontrollably and wet their pants.”

Carole Anne dove for Beau but he jumped behind me, and the Morrison group left.

We went home and Beau was wound higher than a kite.  He started in on Tommy.  “Hey stud Man, I saw you talking to those three beautiful women.  Why were the two youngest ones hugging and kissing you.  Oh by the way, I think your father was at church for the last service.  I saw him sneak out as Spencer, Chip and I started to recess.”

“Aunt Evelyn, did you hear all the sour notes coming out of the organ today.  I wonder if they were Jeff’s or Adam’s fault.   Dad how much did you put in the offering?  I suppose you gave your usual dime each time.”

Jeff picked Beau up and said, “Excuse us please.  Beau is on overload and needs to be reprogrammed.”

The two of them went upstairs and Jeff pulled Beau close and then Beau just let the dam open.  I went to check on them and Jeff was holding Beau who had stopped crying.

When Beau saw me, he jumped up and kissed Jeff and me and announced, “I’m changing churches.  I can’t do this again.”

To be continued...

Feedback always welcome:     

Editor's Notes:

That was one incredible Easter Service.  Looks like Beau isn't going to take any chances when it comes to Casey.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 09/28/07