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 43

Dinner of Many Purposes

On Sunday, no one stirred until almost 7:00.  Beau extricated himself and went to the bathroom and fixed the juice and started the coffee.  Larry and Lenny joined him and everyone started to arrive in the kitchen.  Jeff and I had just come down when Danny came bounding up the steps.  “What is Dusty doing here?”

Beau asked, “Is he awake.  If he is, tell him to get up here now.  If he’s not, wake him and get him up here.  Ranger, go get him.”

Dusty came up and said, “I don’t have any clothes.” 

Chip said, “Then why are you wearing Beau’s bikini briefs.”

Beau ordered, “Everyone sit down and get ready to eat.”  He served everyone their breakfast and as we finished, he said, “Tommy, you take the two five year olds and get them ready for church, and make sure they wash behind their ears.”

“Jeff, you take these scruffy nine year olds and get them ready and Dad you are stuck with these hopeless teenagers.  Ranger and I will do the dishes while you all get ready.

Beau did the dishes and then came into our bathroom and asked, “Why do we keep getting all these stray people?”  He climbed into the shower with us and left naked to get clothes for Danny and Dusty to wear to church.

Even though he was a little older than Beau, Beau's clothes fit Dusty just fine.  Everyone assembled downstairs and the Crosbys came to get Trey and Ranger.  Trey said, “I’m going to church with Beau and his family. I’ll see you there.”

It was a little tight, but we got everyone in the three cars.  When we walked in, it was like we were a magnet.  People kept joining us.  Aaron came and sat down with us and all of a sudden he asked, “Dusty, what are you doing here?  How do you know these people?”

Beau said, “Pong, we’ll tell you later.  Did you drive your truck?  We need your help after church.”

Jeff saw Mrs. Davis come in and went and got her and immediately Spencer and Chip sat on either side of her.  Everyone was settled, and Father Gilbert was making his announcements.  He said, “It was a sad occasion yesterday when we celebrated the life of our long time member, Miles Davis.  The yellow rose on the stand is to remind us of the light that he and his lovely wife, Lucy, have given to us in the face of all the adversities that they had to endure.”

Father Gilbert said, “The young people who helped with his celebration yesterday made his life come alive.  I think you could all learn from what they did during the service yesterday.”

Jeff and Beau, please do the service just as you did yesterday for those who were not able to attend.  Those of us who were here can gain even more by listening the second time.

I looked at Jeff and Beau and I thought Beau was about to go down or bolt.  I reached over and squeezed his leg.  He glared at me and he and Jeff went to the front.  They did the entire service, and as they finished The Lord’s Prayer, Father Gilbert threw another curve ball.  “Lucy, I would like for you and your two escorts Spencer and Chip to join me in the recessional.”

Spencer helped Mrs. Davis up and they joined Father Gilbert and were saying goodbye to everyone as they left the church. 

After the church was empty Beau had all the guys loading the tables and chairs into the three trucks.  I’m not sure when he had made the arrangements.  As they were starting for the house, Beau said, “Dad, please go get pizzas or something for lunch.  We don’t have time to cook.”

When I got home, everyone was gone except the four guys, Danny and Dusty.  We sat at the kitchen table and Beau started.  “I’m never going back to St. Paul’s again.  Now I want to know how you two know each other and how Dusty knows Aaron.”

Danny said, “I told you why I was thrown out by my parents.  Well, Dusty was the other person involved.”

Jason asked, “What were you doing, smoking pot, taking drugs or what?”

Danny said, “We were masturbating each other.”

“Is that all.  I thought it was something real bad.”    Jason said as he continued eating. 

Tommy asked, “Dusty, how come you wound up here after all this time?  Did you know that Danny was here?”

Dusty looked at Beau and said, “I had no idea that Danny was here.  Ever since Danny’s parents caught us messing around, my parents have been treating me like a prisoner.  Yesterday afternoon, I thought my parents were gone and I decided to relieve my pent up emotions.”

Jason said, “So you were jacking off?”

“Yes, and my father came and saw me and started to call me all sorts of names telling me I was going to hell.”  Dusty stopped.

Dusty took a deep breath and said, “I had all the berating that I could endure, so while my parents were eating, I slipped out of the house and started to hitch hike.  Do you want the straight or edited edition?”

Jason said, “We want the straight story.  Nothing you can say will surprise me.”

“It wasn’t long until I was picked up by a nice looking man in a nice car.  He stopped in a lane and said he had to go to the bathroom. When he got back into the car, he pulled down his pants and pulled me toward him and said, ‘I have this toy that needs some love.’”

“He tried to force his penis into my mouth but I squeezed his balls and he started yelling at me and I jumped out of the car and started to run.  I lay on the ground until I saw his car go by me and then I ran until I saw the porch outside and thought I would rest and no one would see me.  Little did I know that Ranger would hear me and scare the daylights out of me.”  Danny stopped.

Beau asked, “So how do you know Aaron?”

“Aaron is my cousin.  His parents and mine hardly talk to each other.  My parents think that Aaron’s parents are too liberal and spoil their children.  I really think that my Dad is jealous of them because Uncle Clark has done well and my Dad is basically still a nobody.”  Dusty said.

Jeff asked, “Jason, how do you know about all of these things that we have been talking about?”

“Jeff, I may only be nine, but I have ears and I listen to what other people are talking about.  Most people aren’t as prim and proper as we are in this house.  Some of the people my age probably know more about sex than you and Tommy.”  Jason said as he stuck out his tongue.

Beau said, “This talk is over.  Dad you take this Striker kid and get him a hair styling and some new clothes.  Mine don’t fit him too well except for my bikini briefs.  Between Danny and Dusty, I’m going to run out of them.”

“Tommy, you and Jeff take the dining room table into the living room so we can use it for punch and hors d’oeuvres.  Then set the tables up in the dining room.  Danny, you and Jason start setting up the chairs.  There needs to be eight people at each table.”

Everyone was working when Chris, Mickey, and Denny arrived.  Beau had everyone working and the house was really starting to smell good.  Beau put name tags at each place and he had made up a pretend menu that he placed at everyone’s place.

Spencer came in with Chip and Trey, and Drew and Kenny showed up to help.  Adam and Aaron arrived and were given instructions as to what they were to be doing as the wine stewards for the night. 

When the people started to arrive, Jeff and I played hosts.  Trey and Chip were in charge of serving the hors d’oeuvres and Adam and Aaron were in charge of the drinks.  Jeff delivered the Leavitt boys to their peer groups and they fit right in and were helping just like the rest of the guys.  Beau took the eight 13 /14 year olds into the dining room and explained what he wanted them to do.

At precisely 5:30 Beau came in and announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, your snack is served.  The guys helped everyone to their places.  When everyone was seated, I looked around and thought to myself.  Something is happening here that I don’t know about.  The Leavitt grandchildren were having the time of their lives.  Everyone was settled and Beau said, “Mr. Chip, would you please ask the blessing tonight?”

Chip looked at Beau funny and took the hands of the people beside him and everyone joined hands.  “Our Father who art in heaven help us to remember all those people that have joined you in heaven.  Make us strong so that we can do what you want us to do to make this a better world for everyone.  Amen.”

The young people were looking at the appetizer plate and Jason asked, “What are these black things and what do you do with them?”

Beau said, “It’s fish eggs and considered a delicacy in most societies.  Just spread it on you crackers, hold you nose and eat it.  It’s a little salty but it will make the ostrich with earthworms taste better later.  It’s known as caviar.”

The appetizer plate had a dab of caviar, two crackers, a spiced apple, a piece of celery stuffed with cheese and a cheese puff.   Everyone seemed to inhale the food.  When Beau stood, the eight other 13/14 year olds stood and cleared their assigned tables.

They returned with a cup cream of potato soup, and a small Caesar salad for everyone, with rolls and cheese sticks.  When everyone finished the soup, the team went to work and served the chicken breasts stuffed with crab meat served on a bed of rice.  It was topped with a raisin sauce with some wine and fresh green beans topped with a carrot curl.

Adam and Aaron made sure everyone had all they wanted to drink.  Everyone was eating and visiting.  When everyone was finished, the guys brought coffee and tea for those who did not want anymore wine.  The guys cleared the table and people were visiting and Beau said, “Jeff, why don’t you go play the piano to entertain the people until it is time for dessert.  D. Dad, maybe you'd better join him to make sure he doesn’t fall asleep.  He’s looking awfully tired?”

Jeff and I played a medley of show tunes as the guys were working in the kitchen.  Beau came in and said, “That’s enough.  These people in here are all asleep.”  The guys served everyone warm apple crisp with a small dip of ice cream.  Everyone was absolutely inhaling the dessert.  When everyone had finished, Beau stood and said, “D. Dad, you take all the people over 25 into the living room and ply them with liquor so they don’t remember what they ate tonight while we younguns clean up after them.”

Everyone booed but we, the adults, went to the living room.  The tables and chairs disappeared and the dishes were done.  The young people under 16 disappeared downstairs, and the others joined us in the living room.  Beau came in and got Judge Leavitt. 

They went into the piano room and Beau motioned for me and Jeff to follow.  Beau started, “Judge Leavitt.”

Before Beau could continue, Judge Leavitt interrupted, “Beau, away from the court house I am either Mrs. Leavitt, or Marilyn.  The Judge stays at the courthouse.”

“Okay Aunt Marilyn, you have met Danny tonight.  He is a really neat young man, whose parents threw him out.  Uncle Dan Crawford saved him from living a life of prostitution.  He was only doing it to make enough money to eat.  Danny shouldn’t have to spend the rest of his life in a home. He and Uncle Dan are really fond of each other, and I don’t mean in a sexual way. The problem is that Uncle Dan is single and works very irregular hours.”  Beau stopped.

He added, “Danny’s mentor from college is Dylan.  Even though he is a college student, he is about to become the CEO of a company.  He would gladly take Danny in, but I don’t think that is the answer either.  I am still working on what would be best for Danny but we have to get him out of that home before he develops an attitude like so many of the older residents have.”

Beau switched gears and said, “The other case that I was talking to you about has to do with Uncle Barry and his two daughters, Melanie and Melody.  There have been some very unfortunate things that have happened.  I just hope that when Uncle Norm brings these matters before you in the courtroom you will do what is best for the young people.” 

“By the way, your grandsons are nothing like their names would imply.  Imagine naming your sons Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  I guess their mother was trying to offset the Leavitt part of their name.”

Judge Leavitt was laughing, “Beau, you don’t miss much, do you?”

“Nope, not unless I’m taking my 20 minute nap each night.”  Beau laughed as he helped her up and thanked her for listening and gave her a kiss.

“Jeff, please go get Dusty, Danny, Aaron, Adam, Uncle Dan, Dylan and C. A. and Mrs. Rose.  I’ll be right back.”  Beau left with Judge Leavitt.

When he came back, Beau was changed, “Uncle Dan, are you free tomorrow night?”

“Yes.”

“Mrs. Rose, how about you?”  Beau asked.

“I’m free.  I’m my own boss, remember.”  Mrs. Rose laughed.

“Okay, here’s what we are going to do.  We are going to take Dusty home and read his parents the riot act.  We are also going to take Danny with us and get his power of attorney and custody papers signed over to Uncle Dan.” Beau said.

Dan started to interrupt but Beau cut him off and said, “On nights when you are gone, Danny could stay either with Land or at Uncle Barry’s house.  In fact that might be a good thing, especially if Uncle Barry were called to deliver a baby during the night; the girls would not be left alone.”

Beau turned to Danny and Dusty and asked, “Guys, where can we meet your parents in your town on neutral territory?”

The town isn’t very big, Beau.  There's a small police station, a restaurant, a small store and a church and that’s about all.”  Dusty said.

Beau thought for a minute and said, “Okay, we’ll have dinner at the restaurant.  Do they have a private room?”

Danny said, “They have a room that can handle about 15 people.  It’s called the Pines Room.  The restaurant is called the Burning Embers.”

Beau asked, “Where is this place?”

“The town is called Biglerville and is about 40 minutes away.” said Dusty.

“Give me your parents’ phone numbers, and do either of you just happen to know the number for the Burning Embers?”  Beau asked.

“Let’s go call information and get the number.” Dusty said.

“Okay, we’ll call your parents, Mister Dustin, and let them know that you are visiting your cousin here in Fremont.”  Beau said.

Before he left, Beau said, “Everyone meet here at 5:15 tomorrow night.  Uncle Dan, you pick up Danny.  Speaking of him, we need to get Danny back to the home, soon.”

Beau, Aaron and Dusty left and Beau came back in and was followed shortly by Aaron and Dusty who had tears in his eyes.

Beau said, “Dusty my man, don’t let words sway your emotions.  We’ll just wait and see how your parents react tomorrow night.”

As we were returning to the living room, Mrs. T. said, “Beau, would you get everyone in here please?  I have some envelopes to pass out.”  Everyone came and sat down.  Ranger sat with his head on Dustin’s lap as Trey scratched Ranger’s ears.

Mrs. T. passed out the envelopes and thanked everyone for doing such a good job as usual.”  Matthew Leavitt asked, “What were the envelopes for?”

“Oh, we were helping to remodel a house, and we got paid for each hour we worked.  Beau answered.

“You mean Chip and Trey worked too.”  Matt questioned.

“Oh yeah, they worked hard, but the hardest worker is Spence who is talking to Mark over there.  The four nine year olds with Luke are like dynamos.” Beau said.

Dylan and Carole Ann said, “Thanks for a wonderful evening.  We’re going to take Master Danny home.  That was the signal for everyone to think about leaving.

Danny came to me and handed me his two envelopes and asked, “Doctor Dad, could you take care of these for me until I need them?
 

“Yep, I’ll put them in my safe.  Jeff and Beau know the combination if I’m not here.”  I hugged him.

Everyone was coming and thanking us for the fun evening.  Judge Leavitt came up and said to Beau, “Beau, we had a wonderful time this evening.  It has been a long time since I've seen my four grandsons so animated.  Thank you for inviting us.”  Beau gave her a kiss on the cheek and hugged the four guys and Mr. Leavitt.

Mrs. Davis was with the Potts and they all hugged us and told us this was a great evening.  Chief O’Brien and Mrs. Rose left together.  Barry and Dan Crawford were visiting as they said their goodbyes.  Alex West was talking to Dan’s sister, Ann and her two daughters were laughing with Brad and Hal.

Mrs. T. came over and asked, “Beau, I smell a couple of rats here.  Are you cooking up something that I don’t know about?

“Why Grandmother, how could you accuse poor little innocent me of doing such a thing?”  Beau laughed.  “I can’t say anymore. I’m still in the planning stages.”

Everyone finally left and Beau ordered everyone except Dusty to disappear.  Beau and Dusty were vacuuming and putting the house back in order and doing laundry.  They finally quit and went to bed in the basement.

As they settled into the hide-a-bed, Dusty asked, “Beau, may I give you a kiss to tell you how much I respect and love you, like a brother?”

Beau said, “Of course, he pulled Dusty tight and kissed him on the lips and the dam broke for Dusty.

Beau held Dusty close and finally Dusty composed himself and held Beau close.

“Beau, thanks for caring and not judging me.  I feel so much love in this house and I wish I could stay.  I think that Doctor Dad, Jeff, Tommy and Jason are wonderful, but I guess I really need to go back to my parents.  I just hope that they will give me some space to breathe and be the person I want to be.” Dusty shuttered.

Beau pulled Dusty close and they went to sleep.

To be continued...

Feedback always welcome:     

Editor's Notes:

Wow What is Beau up to? And what is going to happen to Dusty?

I guess we will just have to hope we find out in the next chapter.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 10/12/07