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 20
I’ve Never Been So Bored

On Sunday morning, Beau, Spencer and Jeremy were waiting when Rick and Will arrived with a lot of other people.  After they ran, Beau hugged them and got his guys organized.  Everything was packed and they went to eat in the Chow Hall for the last time.  Beau stood in the doorway and when he saw the plaque and his picture above the piano, he went limp.  Dylan who was standing there, grabbed him and Spence and Chip waved everyone away.

Beau stayed in Dylan’s arms and Spencer said, “He’s just recharging.  This week has been a real strain on him in a wonderful way.  Just be aware that he’ll probably be in rare form in a couple of minutes.”

Everyone was watching as Beau looked up at Dylan and said, “Thanks.”

Beau finally went through the line and sat between Rick and Will.  They ate quickly.  Will, bring Rick’s guitar.  He will need it for the guys’ song.  Rick and I are going to ride the horses to the church, now.  Now everyone else get ready.”

Cookie came and said, “Beau, I’ve made you people some sandwiches and veggies so you can eat along the way, and  the boys and Ranger can run.”

“Thanks Cookie, we’ll pick them up after church.”  Beau said, as he and Rick took off.

They were the first to arrive at the church and they put the two horses in the small corral beside the church.  Rick and Beau picked out a couple of songs and Rick played a couple of pieces on the piano.

Bruce Holliday, the young preacher walked in and said, “I think I’m in the wrong place.”

Beau said, “Right place, just a different time.  I have made up an order of service and we’ll take care of the music.  The choir will come in with the first song and then recess with a special farewell song.

Bruce looked at Beau and said, “So, all I have to do is read the Scripture, say a prayer or two and give a sermon?”

Beau shrugged and said, “I supposed I can read the Scriptures and say the prayers if you can’t handle all that work.”  Beau laughed and said, “I’ll tell you what, Will, Spencer, Jeremy and I will even take up the offering, if there are any people here.”

People started to arrive and Beau escorted them to a seat.  The Senator and his wife arrived with S.Z.Q. and he escorted them to the front as S.Z.Q. started to help him greet the people.  By 8:30, the church was nearly filled and the choir lined up.  At precisely 8:30, Rick looked at Beau and started to play the first song.  As the music started, Beau called out everyone join us in singing That Old Time Religion on page 290.”

The choir started down the aisle dressed in their new western clothes. Beau and Chip were leading and singing That Old Time Religion and clapping as they slowly proceeded to the choir area.  Everyone except Beau went to the choir area as he led the singing until the song had been completed.  Beau went and sat down.

The young preacher got up and welcomed the people.    He said, “I’m overwhelmed by what has happened here this past week.  I feel I have entered the Twilight Zone or something.  This church feels alive and I hope that vitality can be maintained.  I don’t know for sure who is responsible, but I am beginning to get an idea.  Now please stand and greet the people you are worshipping with.”

When everyone sat down, Mr. Holliday announced, “Mr. Beau Benson has some special presentations.” 

Beau went to the pulpit and said, “I’d like for Mr. Haller, the President of the Board of Trustees to come forward.”

An older man was somewhat surprised and came forward and Beau said, “Sir, I would like to present you with a key to the new piano.  Rick Stephens has the other key since he will be serving as the pianist.  Now listen as Rick shows what the new piano and he can do.”

Rick played a wonderful Etude and everyone applauded when he finished.

Beau said, “In addition, Mr. Haller;  I have a check for $10,000.00 for the old piano and the two boxes of music rolls that were in the basement.  Sir, I have one request and that is that you maintain this building structurally.  Before you build on, add a third service if you need to.”

Beau shook Mr. Haller's hand and stepped back, “Beau, I’m overwhelmed.  Not only do we have a wonderful new piano, but you just paid us for a piano that should have been firewood many years ago.  You have been most generous.”  Beau and Mr. Haller shook hands again.

Beau announced, “Here is the first special anthem of the day.  Five young gentlemen from Fremont will be joined by the Littles' two sons.”

Rick started to play the guitar and Spencer led the guys in singing He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.  The congregation applauded when they finished.

Beau came forward and said, “It’s time for everyone to dig deep and make sure that this church can serve this community and the visitors who come here for another century.”  He, Will, Spencer and Jeremy gathered the collection and the preacher came forward and took the baskets and said a prayer of dedication.

Beau led the hymn In the Garden and the Preacher read the Scripture and said, “There is no way I can do this sermon I had prepared.  It doesn’t fit the occasion.”  He threw his notes in the air and continued, “After seeing what has happened to this building, and seeing the church almost filled to capacity, it’s like God had a purpose for bringing Beau and his friends here.  God does work in mysterious ways that we can never fully comprehend.  We all need to count our blessings and be thankful for what we have and try to make this a better world.”

“Let’s listen now as Beau and some of his friends sing another special song.” The preacher announced, as Beau, Will, S.Z.Q., Carole Anne and Dylan came forward and sang Here I Am Lord.

The Preacher came forward and said, “Now as we prepare to leave the service of worship, let’s listen to the Prayer that Jesus taught his disciples.”

Everyone was standing as Beau, Chip and Spencer sang The Lord’s Prayer.  They were joined by the rest of the choir and they exited singing Happy Trails to You.  The Preacher followed them out and was saying Goodbye to everyone.

The guys were talking to the people and the Sheriff and his wife came up and hugged Beau and thanked him for what he had done for Will.  They were glad that he was in control of himself again. 

Beau took them aside and said, “Mr. and Mrs. Champion, he really is a wonderful person.  He just needed to be challenged and being bunkhouse steward isn’t the most exciting thing in the world.  But he will be a good addition and I’ll bet he'll be working at the Nude Dude Ranch next year again if everything works out.”

The Preacher, Bruce Holliday came over and asked, “Beau, what do we do for the second service?”

Beau said, “Don’t ask me.  Check with your choir director, Will and the pianist, Rick.  We’re leaving. .”  Beau said, as he and Rick went and jumped on their horses.  They took Ranger with them as they raced back to the Ranch.

When they got to the Ranch, Beau climbed off Midnight and hugged him and looked like he was going to cry.  Rick said, “Beau, just go.  I’ll take care of the horses.”  He hugged Beau and said, “Thank you for everything.  Now go, before I start to cry.”

Beau went to the bunkhouse and he and his guys changed into shorts and their Colorado Rockies shirts and put their cowboy paraphernalia on top of the rest of the luggage so they could get to it easily.  They stopped at the Chow Hall and got the food that Cookie had prepared for them and put it in the cooler.

Everyone was standing around and Beau started to shake and just went and got into the van.  Spencer said, “Beau doesn’t say goodbye very well.  He has become very attached to many of you, so just wave as we leave.  We want to thank all of you for the absolutely fantastic time here.”

Everyone got into the van; Dylan started to drive.  There were a few wet eyes as they left, but everyone had to get ready for the guests who would be arriving.

They had no more than started to drive when the three five year olds fell asleep.  When they crossed into Nebraska, they made the first stop so everyone could go to the bathroom.

Beau called his Dads and said, “Hey Dad, we’re near McCook.  We should be home about 6:30.  Maybe you could call everyone and we can have a picnic and go swimming when we get back.  Thanks Dad.  We’ll call you  when we get off I-80.  Bye Dad.”

Everyone climbed back in the van and the next stop was near North Platte where they ate lunch and took care of their needs.  They had some exercise and got the travel bugs out of their systems.  They got back in the van and stopped at the last rest stop before they would be getting off the interstate to go the bathroom and stretch.  Beau called his Dads and Jason answered.

“Hey Jason, tell everyone, we are about an hour out.  Call Jeff or someone and ask them to bring the video camera to film our arrival.”   Beau said as he climbed into the van.

They started and the guys all changed from their shorts and Rockies shirts into their western wear in the van while they were traveling.  It was like Carole Anne didn’t exist.  There was no embarrassment.  Beau handed Dylan and Carole their hats.

When they pulled into Josh and Ben’s driveway, the sliding door opened and Chip stepped out with all his western gear and yelled, “Howdy partners.”

Trey exited next and said, “Nice to see ya all.”

Roddy came out and shook his hat, “Yee hah.”

Ranger came out and barked and he was followed by Jeremy who threw his hat in the air and said, “Get along little doggie.”

Spencer got out and waved and said, “Thank ya all for comin’.”

Carole Anne and Dylan got out and waved.  Finally Beau got out and said, “Gees, it’s good to be home.  I’ve never been so bored in my life.”

Berto was standing there and asked, “You mean you didn’t have a good time?”

Chip said, “It was really boring.  Beau made us stay in this dinky house with six beds, a sitting room with a television set which we never turned on and a refrigerator which we didn’t use.  He had us cleaning all the time because he was always making a mess and he kidnapped the boys from the cabin next door and they spent every night with us.”

Trey said, “Beau rode this big black horse called Midnight who had never been ridden before and they went skinny dipping and were caught by Senator Gordon and S.Z.Q.”

Roddy took over, “We were swallowed by this spacecraft that dropped from the sky.  S.Z.Q. made us get on and we flew so low that we could see people going to the bathroom in the backyard.  It plopped down by this big round building that had the name of some beer.”

Jeremy picked up, “Yeah, we had to eat hot dogs and nachos while Beau sang The National Anthem and God Bless America.  He then threw three strikes and the Rockies pitcher threw a no hitter.  Yeah, it was a boring night.”

Spencer started, “You know what Beau did?  He made everyone paint the church so it would be ready for the piano he bought.  The worst part was that he and Cookie made this wonderful stew and the local people had all these wonderful salads and desserts.  Yeah, it was a boring week.”

Carole Anne said, “I can attest to the fact that the bunk house steward was complaining because he never had to do anything in the guys’ bunkhouse after the first night.  No one ever voiced any concerns of the guys and I ended up with a $10,000.00 player piano in the Chow Hall.”

Dylan started, “Yeah, the other guests didn’t like the guys at all.  They walked away with all of the awards at the Talent Contest.  Beau and Ranger made a clean sweep of the awards on Awards night and Beau completely redecorated the Chow Hall.  It’s been a really boring week but no one had time to breathe.”

Beau put up the time out sign and said, “Before we eat, Spencer has a presentation to make.”

Spencer stood and said, “Carole Anne, we have a small token to show our appreciation for taking us as your guests to the Nude Dude Ranch.  Even though some of us were reluctant to go, we all had the experience of our young lives.  We hope that you will wear this sometimes and remember this wonderful week.  We understand that your birthstone is emerald and that is the reason for the color.”

Carole Anne opened the box and it contained a beautiful platinum pendant in the shape of a horse with two emeralds for eyes.  It was a beautiful piece and Carole Anne started to leak tears.  Spencer turned it over.  “You’ll notice that there is a name on each leg and my name is on the mane.  Now guess whose name is on the tail.”

Everyone said, “Beau.”

Carole Anne could hardly speak, “Guys, thank you very much.  This is something that I will always cherish.”

Jeremy stepped forward, “You’re up Uncle Dylan.  We were going to give you a skunk, but Chip said he couldn’t stand that smell and wanted something more lethal.  We found that your birthstone was ruby so that’s the reason for the color.  We all want to thank you for being a great friend.”

Dylan opened his gift and it was a rattlesnake money clip with ruby eyes.  Jeremy said, “Notice that our initials are on the each of the six rattles.”

Dylan could only say, “Thank you guys.  I love all of you.”

Beau took over and said, “Okay everyone, let’s eat.”

Everyone went through the line and got their food and there was plenty of food.  The guys from the store had Beau cornered and Mr. Cooper approached them and said, “Beau, we are scheduled to visit two estates tomorrow.”

Beau shook his head okay and as Mr. Cooper walked away, Beau said, “Guys, I’ll work all day on Tuesday and Thursday this week.  My Dad passed me a note that said I need to be in Omaha on Wednesday 10:00.”

After dinner had settled, Beau said, I’ll race everyone into the pool.”  He stood and took off his clothes and dove into the pool.  His five guys did the same and they were swimming the length of the pool and back in their bikini briefs. 

Beau climbed out and said, “Come on everyone, we only have our briefs on and they cover more than most swim suits.  Get with the program.”

The younger guys who were there did as the six travelers had done.  Jeff leaned over to me and said, “Beau is really a very handsome young man.  He looks like he has grown several inches and look at his tan.”

Spencer was standing there and said, “And he doesn’t have any tan lines either.”

Beau came over and challenged Tommy, Kenny and Drew to get into the pool.  Tommy wasn’t about to be out done and dove in.  Kenny was next and finally Drew joined them. 

Jeff looked at Dylan and they went into the pool.  The young guys went into the attack mode and gave the older guys a difficult time.  Beau climbed out and got everyone towels and blew his whistle and threw everyone a towel as the got out.   They all took turns getting dressed in the basement.  Beau unloaded the van.  Everyone’s things were color coded so they could get them easily.

Beau and Berto covered the pool and everyone had dessert.  After everyone had left, Beau policed the area and made sure everything was cleaned up.  He came in and said, “Dads, I’m emotionally drained.”  He trudged up the stairs.

Jeff, Tommy, Ben, Josh and I were sitting there when Tommy said, “I can’t believe how much more mature the six of them seem.  They all seem to know who they are.  Beau especially has seemed to grow several inches but he is still not aware of how good looking he is, I can’t believe that Carole Anne and Dylan didn’t have anything bad to say about the trip.”

Josh said, “Tommy, it is apparent that all eight of them plus Ranger have formed a special bond.  Not many people ever get that opportunity in their lifetimes.  Beau was able to do some special things because of his money, but the rest of the guys probably don’t understand it yet.  They will someday and I’m betting that Carole Anne and Dylan are already plotting how to get even.”

I stood up and said, “Come on guys, let’s go.  Tomorrow is a work day.”

When we walked in the door, the phone was ringing.  Jeff answered and said, “Oh hi Grams, what’s up? … You think everyone should wear red and white checked shirts like the guy had on? … I agree.  The eight of them did look very impressive when they climbed out of the van, but there is no way that we can have everyone get cowboy boots and hats. … That makes it easy.  All three of them already have them. … Okay Grams, talk to you later.”

Jeff said, “Come on guys, let’s just go to bed.”

To be continued...

Feedback always welcome:     

Editor's Notes:

That would seem to have taken care of the wonderful adventure of the Nude Dude Ranch, wouldn't it? Personally, I thought this story arc was absolutely fantastic. I have in fact loved every chapter so far, but I think our esteemed author has done a marvelous job of bringing us some wonderful fun as well as a lesson or two.

What ever you do, don't stop now!

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 02/01/08