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 39

The Art Auction

Wednesday morning, Beau was busy organizing everyone’s day when Ben came in and said, “Jack, Mom says that you and I are switching cars since there will be too many people going to Omaha to fit in your car.  She wants you to pick her, Adam and Aaron up at 12:30.”

Beau started again, “So D. Dad, you’ll pick me up at 12:10.  Who else is going with us?”

Jeff said, “I’m not taking off two afternoons in a row.”

Uncle Lyle said, “I’m going to baseball practice with Tommy.

Rea said, “Ginny and I are substituting for you at Gigi’s.”

“Aunt Evelyn, my love, will you be my escort?  We’ll pick you up at 12:15.  I’ll fix us some sandwiches and we can eat on the way.  Tommy, come on.  You’re dropping me off this morning?” Beau said.

Jeff and I looked at each other as Beau and Tommy left.   When they were in the car, Tommy asked, “Why am I taking you?  I don’t mind, but it isn’t what normally happens.”

Beau said, “Tommy, why is Uncle Lyle walking funny this morning?”

Tommy pulled over to the side and turned to face Beau and said, “You don’t miss anything, do you?  Beau, please don’t say anything, but last night Uncle Lyle asked me to make love to him.  We both know that nothing can ever come of it, but I really love him for the person he is.  He can’t do anything to me for physical reasons.”

“Tommy, thanks for trusting me.  You know you could have told me to mind my own business.  I love you, brother.  He leaned over and gave Tommy a kiss.  It really isn’t my business what you and Uncle Lyle do, but I care a great deal about you both and don’t want anyone to get hurt.  Now let’s move, or we’ll be late.”  Beau said, as he punched Tommy on the arm.

Everybody’s morning went quietly.  I picked Beau and Aunt Evelyn up at Gigi’s and we swung by and picked up Mrs. T. and the two guys.  Both Beau and Mrs. T. had brought food.  Aunt Evelyn said, “I guess we won’t be starving to death anyway.”

Beau rode in front with me and the other four rode in the individual seats in the back.  There was no lack of conversation.  We found the gallery which was located in the Old Market area.  We parked and Beau jumped out and opened the back door and said, “May I help you, Your Royal Highnesses?”

He helped Grams and Aunt Evelyn get out and then turned to Adam and Aaron and said, “You two slaves can fend for yourselves.”

Adam and Aaron walked with Mrs. T. and Beau and I escorted Aunt Evelyn.  When we entered the gallery, we were met by Mr. Carstairs who said, “I have reserved seats right here on the side and I have put your programs on your seats.” 

He turned to Beau and Adam and asked, “Are you gentlemen sure that you wouldn’t like to pull anything out of the auction before it starts.”

Beau looked at me and I shrugged and Beau said, “No sir, I would just have to worry about it.”

The interaction between Adam and Aaron had been very similar.

Mr. Carstairs said “You will notice that the two collections are interspersed during the auction, because there are two distinct types of art.  Mr. Benson, yours is definitely Americana, while Adam’s is more classical and international.  I think that you both will be pleased with the results.  Now you have about ten minutes to look around before the auction starts.”

We were walking around when Beau saw the art dealer who had tried to put the make on him.  Beau guided us toward him and said, “I guess you are rather ill, because your out of control hormones cost you any chance of handling all these wonderful pieces.”  Beau just walked away and the dealer was looking a little pale.  I saw Mrs. T. talking to Aunt Evelyn and I think she was explaining what that was all about.

The auction started and the room was packed.  All of the potential buyers had numbers they raised to bid so there was very little talking except for the auctioneer.  The six of us were amazed at what the items were selling for.  Both Beau and Adam were recording what the pieces sold for.

When the Winchester statue came up, the bidding was absolutely crazy.  It finally sold for $6,000,000.00.  Beau looked at me and said, “If it hadn’t been for Denny, I would never have even thought to go through the rest of the boxes.  I owe him big time.”

When the Picasso sold for $12,000,000.00 I thought Adam was going to hyperventilate. 

The last item to go on the auction block was two small miniatures paintings by Winslow from Beau's collection. The bidding was wild and Beau had another cool $22,000,000.00.

After everyone left, Mr. Carstairs handed the guys tallies of what their items had sold for.

Beau looked at his total and said, “Mr. Carstairs, would you please recheck my total.  There seems to be a difference.  Adam, let me see your tally.  Yours seems to be okay.  It’s within a dollar.”

Mr. Carstairs came back and asked, “Is this better, Mr. Benson?”

Beau looked at the total and said, “That’s exactly what I got.  You almost cheated yourself out of $25,000.00.  No wonder you don’t make any money.”

Mr. Carstairs said, “I’ll deliver your money to you in person on Friday evening, if that’s okay.”

Beau said, “Why don’t you pop in for dinner on Friday night, since I have to baby-sit at 7:00.”

Mr. Carstairs shook his head, “You mean even with all of this money, you are still going to baby-sit?”

“Sir, what do you expect me to do?  Sit around and look pretty?  The seven of us here are going to be the only people other than my banker who know how much money I have.  To the rest of the world, I’m a poor orphan boy who is lucky enough to have people like D. Dad, Grandmother and Aunt Evelyn to love me.  Right?”

Mrs. T. had a twinkle in her eye and said, “Whatever, Grandson, but now I get to boss you around like Cinderella’s step mother though.”

Beau said, “Forget it Grams, or I’ll divorce you.”

Beau hugged Mr. Carstairs and said, “See you at 5:30 at D. Dad’s house and I’ll have the chipmunks there too before they go to work on Uncle Barry’s house.”  He handed Mr. Carstairs a card.

We went to the van and Beau said, “D. Dad, let’s take these people to the Red Lobster, and see if Kyle is working.  I think today is his last day.”

We walked into the Red Lobster and the hostess said, “Hi Doctor Wilson and Beau, let me get Kyle for you.”

Kyle came over and said, “Good to see you.  This is a different group tonight.”

“Yeah, we have our girl friends out on the town.  We left the rest of the yoyos at home.”  Beau said.

Kyle said, “Grams, its good to see you again, Adam and Aaron, how’s school going?”  He stopped in front of Aunt Evelyn and said, “I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure of meeting this beautiful lady before.”

Beau said, “That’s my Aunt Evelyn and keep your hands off of her.  I found her first.”

Kyle started to laugh and took Mrs. T’s arm and said, “If you will follow me, I’ll put you at a nice quiet table.”  He led us to a corner table.

Joe had already put the menus and water on the table.  Kyle asked, “Can I get you anything from the bar?” 

Mrs. T. said, “I’ll have a martini with a twist of lemon please.”  Aunt Evelyn had a glass of Chardonnay and Adam held his license and said, “I’d like a Coors beer please.”

Kyle looked the license and said, “So is this your birthday celebration Adam?”

“Nope we just celebrated my birthday in the Old Market.”  Adam said.

Aaron had a beer also and Beau said, “I’ll have my usual, please.”

I said, “Since I’m driving, I’ll have a tall scotch and water please.”

The drinks were delivered and Kyle said, “I’ll take your orders now.  Ladies what can I bring you?”

Mrs. T. said, “Start with Beau first while I decide.”

Beau said, “I would like the clam chowder, a mixed greens salad with the house dressing, the two item special with broiled shrimp and the baked lemon pepper fish, a twice baked potato and what is the choice of vegetables?”

“Today we have steamed broccoli or sautéed squash.”  Kyle said.

“I’ll have the squash please.”  Beau said, as he handed Kyle the menu.

There were five dittos around the table.  The service was impeccable.  As we were finishing, Aaron excused himself.  He disappeared and when he came back he was looking smug.

Kyle was clearing the table and Aunt Evelyn said, “Kyle, I would like to take care of the check please.”

“I’m sorry Aunt Evelyn.  The check and a very generous gratuity have already been paid.”  Kyle smiled.

“The only person who has left this table since we came in the restaurant was Aaron, so me thinks he is making a statement, saying. ‘Don’t mess with me you wimps.’  Am I correct Mr. Aaron?”  Beau challenged.

“I only do things like this for my friends, and I’ve had a wonderful time with all of you today.  You are so refreshing and non-assuming.  You just roll with the punches and come up smiling.”  Aaron said.

As we were leaving, Beau was talking to Kyle; he told him about being adopted and asked him to make sure that he continued to keep in contact when he and Joe got settled in Colorado.

The conversation on the way home was animated.  Beau and Adam were adamant that they didn’t want anyone to know how much money they had made.  Beau said, “D. Dad, I know that you are going to tell Jeff, but please warn him not to say anything.  I want my friends to like me for who and what I am, and not because I have a few dollars.  I’d rather be known as the lucky orphan who has people who care for him.”

I dropped Beau and Aunt Evelyn off at the house and then drove Mrs. T., Adam and Aaron home, and changed vehicles.  When I got back to the house, Mrs. Davis had just arrived.  Jeff and Beau were talking to her.

“Do you think Tommy and his friends could be the pall bearers on Saturday?”  Mrs. Davis asked. 

Beau said, “Let me go get Sir Thomas.” 

He and Tommy came down the stairs with Uncle Lyle.  Beau said, “Grandma Davis would like for you and some of your friends to be the pall bearer for Grandpa Davis’ funeral on Saturday morning?  Why don’t you get your wimpy friends from the baseball team who were in the choir to help you?”

Tommy said, “I’ll do it, but let me call the other guys.”  Tommy went into the kitchen. 

Mrs. Davis asked, “Beau, do you think Denny, Christophus and Mickamus would be the ushers?”

“Yep and I’ll throw in Dannamus for good luck.” Beau said.

Tommy came back and said, “I’ve got Kenny, Drew, Bobby, Sammy and David but they want to know what you would like for them to wear.”

Mrs. Davis said, “Why doesn’t everyone wear the white sweaters they wore on Sunday?” 

“We can do that.  We’ll meet you at the church at 9:00 for instructions.”  Tommy said.

Beau left and came back and announced, “The ushers are all set.  I told them they were to wear their white sweaters and they will be at the church at 9:00.”

Mrs. Davis thanked us and Beau walked her to her car.

Beau was returning to the house when he was joined by Mark and Matt. 

Mark and Matt greeted everyone and Mark started.  “I am here to invite the four of you from Peoria to come to school at 9:30 tomorrow morning to be guest speakers for the fourth and fifth grade classes’ career days.  The guys have done nothing but talk about you all since you got here. After your visit with the classes, we would like you to stay and have lunch with us.  Would you be willing to do it?” 

Jason was standing there and said, “Please say you’ll do it.”

The four of them looked at each other and Uncle Lyle said, “We’d be delighted to do it, but do you think the boys and girls will be interested in us has beens?”

Mark said, “You will probably be able to command their attention better than practicing professionals from here because you would be focusing on the young people instead of worrying about your images.  Thank you for agreeing to come.  I know that the young people and you will all enjoy the experience.”

The guys left and everyone started to go to bed.  Beau was sitting in the living room with Jeff and me.

Jeff asked, “What happened at the auction today?”

Beau said, “I made a few bucks.  My things sold for over $37,000,000.00 and poor Adam only got about $32,000.000.00.  Jeff, please don’t tell anyone what happened.  We have agreed that we would not tell anyone so that the money won’t get in the way of our friendships.”

“It’s a good thing that you made Mr. Carstairs sign that contract or he would be retiring.”  Jeff laughed.

Beau said, “Thanks for taking me today Dad.” He kissed us both and disappeared.

Jeff and I talked for a short time and I told him about the day.  He started laughing as we went to our room.  He said, “Did you ever think our life was going to be this exciting?”

We crawled into bed and that the curtains went down. 

To be continued...

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Editor's Notes:

Wow, that was rather exciting. I don't think the boys are going to be poverty stricken any time soon.  It was sad that Grandpa Davis passed away.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 10/05/07