The Doctor Gets a Visitor V
by: E Walk

(© 2007 by the Author)
Editor Radio Rancher

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...


Chapter 3

Mud Pudding

On Sunday morning, I woke up about 8:00 and went downstairs.  Jeff was sitting there looking at the paper.  “I wonder how everyone else is coping with their new families.”

“Jeff, Dale and Les are probably overwhelmed.  Josh and Ben are probably being pampered and terrorized more than they ever dreamed possible.” I assured him.

We got ready to go to the late service, and we had four pews of people around us.  Chip, as he usually did, sat by me.  Beau had more than usual, since Tommy was gone, but Berto and Jonathan filled in.  Father Gilbert asked Spencer to come forward and make a presentation on the homeless and needy fund.

Spencer was a little rattled, but he went forward.  He made a very professional presentation and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to report that we have received more than $50,000.00 as a result of the telecast.  We are exploring the possibility of getting the other churches of Fremont to support a food pantry.  We need any old freezers or refrigerators, and volunteers, and of course we could always use your time.  See either me or Father Wanamaker, and we’ll be glad to talk to you.”

The service was ending and Father Wanamaker chose not to terrorize Beau and said.  “Let’s all stand and recite the 23^rd Psalm, and the Lord’s Prayer.”

The service ended and Mr. Cooper and Mr. Weaver came and gave Berto, Jonathan, Denny Danny and Beau each an envelope.  The guys thanked them. Jeff and I took Berto and Jonathan home.  Beau was home, finishing the plans for Monday and waiting for the Peoria people.

When the guests arrived, everyone went into the royal treatment mode.  Beau had called Jeff and invited us to dinner, after everyone had rested.  Dinner would be at 6:00.  The visitors had a couple of hours to relax before we all met at Ben and Josh’s at 5:30.  Ben and Josh fixed everyone who wanted one, a drink.

At 6:00 Roddy came and announced that dinner was ready.  We moved to the dinning room.  Beau started us off with a cold cup of soup and then we had a small salad and homemade rolls. When they got ready to serve the main course, Beau announced, “I stole one of Aunt Evelyn’s and Grandma Ginny’s recipes from a cookbook that Jason’s Mother had.   The dessert will be one of Uncle Lyle’s recipes.”

Mrs. Tillison said, “Well, what about me?”

Beau didn’t miss a beat and said, “I’ll use one of your recipes for breakfast.  We’ll have cold cereal and dry toast.”

Aunt Cora said, “Gee, you must be rich, we don’t usually get cold cereal.

Everyone was laughing but the food on the plates disappeared.  Kenny and Drew helped Beau and Jason clear the table, while Tommy, Jeremy and Roddy rinsed and put the dishes in the dishwasher.

They brought in the dessert and Uncle Lyle began to laugh.  “I haven’t had mud pudding in years.”

Roddy asked, “Grandmama, are we really going to eat mud pudding?”

“Yes, everyone has to try it.”  Mrs. W. said.

Roddy took a little taste and got a big grin.  “This isn’t mud.”

Shortly after dinner, everyone left, since the Peoria people were tired. It seemed funny for Rea not to be there but she was busy at the Edmonds.  As we were leaving, Beau said, “Doctor Dad, bring your doctor bag tomorrow, just in case, will you please.”

“Kenny and Drew, see if you can round up a croquet set or two, and volleyball net.  Don’t forget we’re picking up the chairs and tables at 9:00 and then we’ll set the tent up.  Remind Aaron and Adam.” Beau said, as they left.

After everyone had left, Aunt Evelyn announced, “I’m very tired.  May I have a cup of tea and glass of ice water to take to my room?”

Beau got what she wanted and helped her up the stairs and made sure that she had everything she wanted and needed.  When he came down he and Jason asked Ginny what she thought of the way they had fixed her bedroom.

“Guys, it’s beautiful, you did a terrific job.  It brings back memories, and it makes me feel like I am at home.”   Ginny answered with tears in her eyes.

Jason said, “Yes.  Then you can live with us.”

Ginny said, “Not so fast, Jason.  I don’t think that your Granddad and Dad Josh are ready for me to move in yet.  Maybe sometime later.  But I’m sure that all of us will be spending as much time here in Fremont as we can.”

Beau diffused the situation, “Grandma Ginny, sometime within the next couple of days, I would like for you and Jason to go through the things in the garage and downstairs, to make sure that we keep anything that is special.  The rest of the things will be sold on a commission basis with the money going as you and Jason dictate.  Since Jason has more money than all of us and won’t even loan me a buck.”

“Like you need any money.  You earn more by snapping your fingers than most people make in a month.” Jason countered.

Josh asked, “Beau, how much is this shindig tomorrow going to cost, anyway?  Mother said there were 150 or more guests expected.”

Beau put up his hands and said, “Nothing, it’s all been paid for, I told you.”

“Who paid for it?” Ben asked.

I used the money that I made from the sale of a bedroom set from my old house that was in the attic that I didn’t even know was there. Not only did I sell it, I got 90% of the sale, but I got a commission check from the other 10%.  How cool is that, I’m paying myself to work.  Now if you will excuse me, I need to make sure that everything is ready for tomorrow.”

Ginny said, “Jason, can you get me a glass of ice water so I take it to my bedroom?”

When Jason left, Ginny said, “The guys seem to have adjusted quickly to living with you.  They seem blasé but I’m sure that’s not the case at all.”

“Ginny, we were both a little apprehensive that the two guys would become attached to Jack, Jeff and Tommy.  They did, of course, but they still have room for us and all of you from Peoria and everyone else that you will see tomorrow.  We are just overwhelmed by their attitudes.” Ben said.

Jason came back and helped his Grandmother to her room.  He came back and said, “Dad and Granddad, I’m going to bed.  Thanks for allowing Grandma Ginny and Aunt Evelyn to stay here.”   He kissed them both and hugged them and said, “I love you both.”  He disappeared.

Ben and Josh went into the kitchen and Beau was sitting at the table with several different lists in front of him.  The two guys sat down and asked,

Beau, what do you need our help with?”

Beau looked at them and said, “I would like for you to be responsible for the punches.  I also need you to get some plastic or paper cups.  I don’t want anything glass near the pool.   I think it might be nice to have some munchies like veggies, fruit and a chex mix.  I can make the chex mix while I supervise the other activities, if you get the ingredients.”

Josh said, “Son, we’ll take care of all those things.  Now, why don’t you go to bed?  I’m sure you have everything covered for tomorrow and the rest of the week.”

“Watch it Dad, I bite.”  Beau said, as he hugged the two guys and kissed them.  He started out of the room and then turned back and said, “I know when I have been told to disappear so you two can have some fun.  Goodnight.”

The two guys had no idea what to expect next, so they decided to call it a night since they were both tired.

Monday morning, Josh and Ben came down and the coffee was made and Beau had left a note.  “Dads, have gone running with Jeff, Father W. and Jeremy.  Be back soon.”

When he came back, Beau washed his hands and started cooking.  He told Josh and Ben to get everyone up.  When everyone was assembled, he fed them scrambled eggs with mushrooms with ham and homemade hash browns and a sweet roll.

Aunt Evelyn complained, “Beau, there is no way I can eat all of this food.”  Funny thing, she ate it all. 

Jason and Beau quickly cleaned up and Beau left with Jeff to meet the guys at the church.   Ben and Josh went to take care of their errands while Jason stayed with his Grandmother and Aunt Evelyn.

Tommy, Uncle Lyle and I went to see if we could be of any assistance and Beau told the adults to sit back and supervise.  Everyone was marveling how smoothly everything was going.  At 11:30, everything was done and Beau came and sat down.  “I need a break.”  He sat for five minutes, then he and Jeff made everyone a bacon lettuce and tomato sandwich.

Fortunately it was turning out to be a beautiful warm day.  Jeff and Tommy had gone home to change clothes and get their suits.  The helpers started to arrive at 1:30.  Beau was ready for them and put them to work.  He had at least two people on duty as life guards at all times.  The people started to arrive and Beau greeted them and had one of his hosts take them around and introduce them as necessary.

At 2:00 Beau stood up on a chair with a portable microphone and said, “I want to thank you all for coming and have a good time.  There are a few rules.”  He announced the rules.  “We will be eating at 4:00, at which time the pool is closed.”

Beau blew the whistle and the pool was immediately put to use.  Beau, Jeff and Ranger were keeping a close watch on everything.  The people started to play volleyball and croquet.  The caterer’s arrived and Beau showed them where to put the food. 

All of a sudden, at about 3:40, Beau, Jeff, Kenny and Ranger went into the pool.  The Leavitt boy, who was nine, started to go under.  Beau pulled him to the side and Jeff started, CPR.

The boy started to cough and said, “Please stop, you’re hurting me.”  Jeff brought him to me and I checked him out.  The boy said that all of a sudden he got tired because he hadn’t got out of the pool at all.  He seemed perfectly fine once we got some lemonade in him.”

Beau looked at the clock and he blew his whistle.  “The pool is closed.  Dinner is served.  Will all the young ladies between the ages of 21 and what ever, go through the line first after Father Wanamaker blesses the food?”

Dale said the prayer; Drew started the procession by assisting Aunt Cora.  Beau took Aunt Evelyn and it was like someone was assigned to each of the ladies.  I noticed that Beau also assisted Judge Leavitt.  The two of them seemed to have a special relationship.  With the three serving lines, the people moved through the lines with ease.  There was more than enough food and some people even went back for seconds.

After dinner, the young people played games and finally people started to leave after thanking Beau, Ben, Josh and Jason for inviting them.  The high school students stayed to help, and it was like Beau waved his hand and the chairs and tables and tent disappeared. Beau, Berto, Jonathan and Denny were picking up all the litter and put the cover on the pool.  Josh stood up and said, “It’s like nothing happened here today.

Mrs. Tillison said, “I’m going to wring Beau’s neck.  He has surpassed me being the hostess with the mostest in Fremont.  Do you know what it feels like to be bested by a 13 year old wet behind the ear kid?”

“Grams, I’m not wet behind the ears, and I am not a goat.  I’m a neat young man.  Now thaw out.” Beau said, as he hugged her.

Finally everyone left except Jeff, Tommy, Uncle Lyle and me.  Ben asked, “Beau, we aren’t going to do these parties every week are we?”

“No Granddad, Only when they are warranted.  How about two or three times a year?  You know that you are not my Grandfather, so can I call you Pop?  It will be much less confusing for everyone?  What do you think Aunt Evelyn?” Beau asked.

“Beau, I think that would be great.  It wouldn’t confuse people, and they would appreciate the special relationship that Jason has with his Granddad.

Now, if you will excuse me, I’ve had a very busy day for an old lady.  Come Beau; let’s get my tea and water.”

Uncle Lyle looked at Tommy and said, “Come Grandson, we need to go.  These 80 year old bones of mine are shaking pretty hard.” 

Uncle Lyle and Tommy left, and Ginny said, “Jason, I think I should turn in also, since Beau has declared that we need to go through the things in the garage and the family room.”

The two of them left.  Ben and Josh asked, “How in the world did you keep up with these two, plus all the others?”

I shook my head and said, “You prepare yourself for the unexpected.  They are both wonderful loving young men.”

Jason and Beau came in and hugged everyone and said, “Thanks for being here for us.  I hope everyone had a good time.  We are exhausted we’re going to bed.  Goodnight Dads, Pop and Ugly Foster Brother.”  Jeff dove for Beau, but he had anticipated Jeff’s move and eluded it. As he disappeared up the steps he said, “Love you, Jeff.”

The two guys disappeared and Ben had tears in his eyes.  “Thank you guys for giving us something we thought we would never have – a family.”

Jeff said, “Uncle Ben, just love the two guys unconditionally and they will never let you down.  In fact they will both probably provide you with more surprises than you ever dreamed possible.  They are both beautiful young men and money has no meaning.  They only know one speed and to work full time, so just support them.”

Josh said, “Jeff, I’m the psychologist.  I’m the one that is supposed to be saying things like that.”

Jeff and I left.  Night settled in on Fremont because everyone was exhausted.

To be continued...

Feedback always welcome:     

Editor's Notes:

Wow, another frantic chapter, full of life and love. I can still never get enough of this wonderful story. Thanks for writing it and please keep up the good, scratch that, GREAT work!!!

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 01/04/08