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 39

The Cruise

We went to the dining room.  Jeff and I were ushered to the Captain’s table.  We were right on time, but everyone else was already seated.  The Hamiltons were seated at the adjacent table.  After the introductions were made and our orders were taken the questions began. 

One of our dining partners recognized Jeff from the video of July Fourth Celebration at The Capitol building.  Once the door was opened, the others started to ask questions. Jeff regaled the others at the table with stories about some of the other people from Fremont.  Alan, the cruise director and his wife were sitting there listening. 

An older lady on her 100^th cruise was also seated at the table asked, “You mean you have performed in D. C., New York City and the rest of your group will be performing at Disney World in Orlando over New Year’s weekend.  How will they get ready?”

Jeff said, “We had a practice last week.  They will be fine.  Beau, Spencer, and Chip will make sure the show is spectacular.”

I added, “All of the young people are sensational.  It would be fun to see what would happen if they were on board a cruise ship.  They would probably have taken over by now.  Beau has people trained to take off their shoes at their house.  He didn’t even exempt the President when he was visiting.”

An older couple who was seated at the table said, “You’re making this up aren’t you?  How old is this Beau?”

“We aren’t making any of this up, and Beau is 14 going on 75.  He has had more life experiences than 99% of Americans will ever have.”   Jeff answered.

Jeff said, “Now if you will excuse me, I need to get ready for the show.  We’ll see you later.”

We were joined by the Hamiltons as we were leaving.  Jeff went backstage while the rest of us found a seat where the boys would be able to see everything.  The theatre had filled up and promptly at nine, Alan introduced the Captain.

The Captain welcomed the people to the ship and introduced the key staff members.  “I am excited about the performer for tonight.  I just had the most enjoyable dinner with him and his father.  I’m sure that you are really going to enjoy his show.   Here is Mr. Jeff Wilson.”

Jeff came out and had the audience in stitches.  He started, “You are going to think we are weird, but we had no idea that we would be going on this cruise until Christmas day, when were handed our tickets and passports and everything wrapped in toilet tissue and band aids.  We were kicked out the door into a waiting limousine.  My three brothers had packed our bags.  It just now dawned on me that I really have no idea exactly what they packed.   I may be running around nude.”

“I just found out this afternoon, that I was going to be doing this show.  So you will have to grin and bear it or leave, if I am too bad.  I won’t be offended.”  Jeff nodded to the orchestra and he sang I Believe.  When the applause stopped, Jeff picked up a banjo and the guitarist from the orchestra came forward with a banjo.  They played Dueling Banjos.  Jeff then sat down at the piano and played Rhapsody in Blue.

After the audience settled down, Jeff announced, “My Father will be joining me on stage after the next song.  This is a total surprise to him.”  Jeff picked up his trumpet and was joined by the orchestra in When the Saints Go Marching In.  The audience gave him a standing ovation.  The two Hamilton boys were standing and applauding.

I joined Jeff on the stage as he had requested and we played a medley from West Side Story. When we stood, the audience stood again and applauded.

Jeff took the mike and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, I am humbled by your reception tonight.  I will be looking forward to meeting as many of you as I can.  In the meantime, I have one last song that I want you to remember and practice.”  He sang The Impossible Dream. 

The audience was still applauding when Jeff came off the stage and fell against me.  “Dad, I can’t do this again.”

Alan came and got Jeff and me.  We bowed and I backed away. Jeff pointed to the orchestra and had them stand.  “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you.  I am afraid that I am worn out.  Have a great night and a better tomorrow.” He threw a kiss to the two Hamilton boys.  We went off the stage to the wings.

Alan said, “I am just amazed at what Jeff pulled together for tonight.   I can assure you that he had no idea that he was going to be doing this show until this afternoon.  I have just a few announcements.  Tomorrow is a Sea Day.  It is also our first formal night.  The cast will be doing their first production number.  The Captain will be sponsoring the Captain’s Reception before each dinner seatings.  As Jeff said, have a great rest of evening. I’ll see you around the ship.”

The Hamiltons came backstage and Alan took us to the service elevator so we could go to our suites.  Jeff took the two guys to their bathroom and showered with them and shampooed and conditioned their hair.  He lay down with them and read for approximately five minutes.

Jeff came dressed only in his bikini briefs.  He went into our bedroom and got a robe.  Mrs. Hamilton said, “I like the other view better.”

“Mrs. Hamilton, you’re going to make me neurotic.  Your sons didn’t respond to my body when we were in the shower.  The boys are already asleep in their briefs.  Jason is cuddled in Jeremy’s arms.”

Mr. Hamilton said, “Would you please call us by our first names.  I am Mike and my wife’s name is Betty.  We have all met your three brothers as have our boys.  We had to pass their interview and their scrutiny.  We were the lucky couple that they chose to come on this trip.  You don’t need to be embarrassed about anything because the guys filled us in on what to expect.”

“I am so going to pulverize the three of them when we get home.”  Jeff said.

“You are so lucky that you have people who care enough to do what they did.” Mike said.

Mike and Betty left.  I took a quick shower and after a good night kiss we went to never, never land.

The next morning, we were awakened by two smaller bodies.  “Doctor Dad, is it okay if we have some juice and a piece of fruit?” 

Jeff crawled out of bed and put his robe on.  “Come on guys; we have to make Dad some coffee or he will be a grouch all day.  Dad, you take your shower so we can go get some real food.”

The guys left.  I crawled out of bed thinking we would have to wear briefs or shorts to bed.  I was coming out of the shower as Jeremy delivered my coffee.  He looked at me and said, “You look just like Jeff.  You are both beautiful.”

I reached out and pulled Jeremy close and said, “As are you and Jason.”

He looked at me and gave me a hug.

After we had our juice and coffee, we went to the Lido Deck for the Buffet Breakfast.  The two young guys were overwhelmed by the buffet, as were Jeff and I.  We tried to get the two young guys to try something new but they really were just happy having some cereal with fruit an egg with ham and some toast.  Jeff and I pretty much stuck to the basics.

We found a quiet corner and were eating when people started coming to tell Jeff how much they enjoyed his show.  Jeff was very gracious and said, “This is my father, Doctor Jack Wilson and these handsome young men are our body guards, Jason and Jeremy.”

We finished eating and Jeff went to pick up his dishes.  A young man came over and said, “Sir that's our job.  People on cruises aren’t expected to do anything but eat and have fun.”

Jeff said, “That’s silly.  We are used to doing it so we should at least clean up our mess so the next people can have a seat.”

The young guy pleaded, “Please sir.”

“I’m Jeff and this is my Dad, Doctor Wilson, and these are our two body guards, Jason and Jeremy.”  Jeff said as he shook Paulo’s hand.

We went to dress and go to the pool area.  Jeff made sure that everyone had sun block.  The guys messed around in the pool until people started to show up at the pool.  The guys climbed out and we wore our robes and clogs back to the cabin.  We took our showers.  Jeff and I used our shower and the guys had there own.  After the shower we went out and sat on the veranda and Jeff had the two guys lying beside him as he was reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  I almost fell asleep listening to the waves hitting the ship.

At 11:30 we met the Hamiltons and went over the shore excursions that were available on the trip.   We filled out the forms turned them in at the Shore Excursion desk.  We went to the dining room for lunch at Jeff’s request.

Jeff said, “I want to control what I eat.  I don’t want us to go home looking like hippopotamuses.”

Jason looked at him and said, “You could always go home looking like a hot air balloon.”

Jeff started to laugh.  We went into the dining room and the Maitre d’ called Ignacio and had him take us to our table.  Ignacio helped us get seated and asked what we would like to drink.

The three young guys all had lemonade and the three adults had iced tea. A sommelier served the drinks and Ignacio took our orders.  The two young guys had the same as Jeff and the rest of us did our own thing.  We ate everything that been served.  The two young guys even had dessert. 

Just as we were getting ready to leave, Alan and Becky came in, “Jeff is there anyway that you could give a talk on some social issues this afternoon.  Dr. Mullins who was to be the speaker has had a severe attack of Montezuma’s revenge.”

Jeff got this funny look on his face, He thought for a minute and said, “I can try but everyone will probably walk out.  I would really appreciate if there were no one under the age 18 in attendance.  I will talk about some of the young people I know.  I am really not equipped to do this.”

At 1:50 we went to the theatre.  Alan introduced Jeff.  Jeff began his presentation and the theatre was nearly full.  Jeff began his presentation by saying that he would be talking about some cases that he had a personal knowledge of.  He said, “This is not my area of expertise, but I have assisted teaching a course in counseling and another in psychology.”

He talked about how we had come to know Spencer, Beau, Jason, Chip and Rebecca.  He didn’t have time to talk about anyone else.  He talked about the case studies at a parental guidance level rather than making them R rated stories.  The people had all sorts of questions.

Alan finally interrupted and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, I’ll try to find a time that would be convenient for Jeff to come back and maybe tell us the R version story of a couple of these young people.  It sounds like he could talk about the social ills in society for hours.  I have to say that this was one of the most compelling talks I have ever heard.  Jeff sure doesn’t mince words.”

The audience was standing as Jeff walked off the stage.  I joined him and we went up the service elevator to our room.  We had just gone out onto the veranda when Jeremy and Jason came in all excited.

“Jeff and Doctor Dad, we just met the neatest boy.  He has to use crutches.  Can we ask him to come up?  He is only 11 years old and he is lonely.  He doesn’t think that his parents really love him.” Jeremy said.

Jeff said, “What are you waiting for.  Go get the young man.”

The two boys left and returned with a young man on crutches.  Jeff went on the offensive, “Hey kid, I’m Jeff and that is Doctor Dad.  Why are you hobbling around on crutches?”

The young boy was backing away.  “Because I tore a ligament, I have to be on these stupid things or in a wheel chair.  My grandparents paid for me to come on this cruise to try to help me get over being confined.  My parents have been so busy working that they have forgotten about me.”

Jeff went and hugged him.  “Well whoever you are, you can come to our cabin anytime and spend time with Jeremy and Jason.  We’ll make sure your parents don’t interfere.  Now what is your name anyway?”

“My name is Leon Haller but please call me Lee.”  The young man said.

“Okay Mr. Lee Haller, let’s go leave a message to tell your parents where you are so they can come reclaim you.”  Jeff and Jeremy left with Lee and Jason came and sat on my lap.  “Lee isn’t a very happy person.  Can we make him better?”

“Jason, if anyone can make him better it is you, Jeremy and Jeff.  I bet before the end of the cruise you guys will have him whipped into shape.”

Jeff sent Jeremy and Lee back to the cabin while he went and checked a DVD that the guys could watch.  He called the valet and asked him to bring some healthy snacks and some lemonade and orange juice and a couple lemons.  Jeff helped the guys set up the DVD in the sitting area.

Jeff and I were on the veranda.  Jeff was reading one of his new text books for the coming semester.  I was reading the information about the ship when the Hamiltons arrived.  The boys sent them out.  Jeff said, “Bar is self service.”

We were visiting on the veranda when the guys brought Lee’s parents, the Hallers out to visit with us.  Jeff took their drink orders. 

“Thanks for leaving us a note telling us where Leon was.  We were getting ready for our show tomorrow night.  We are the featured entertainment for that night.  I’m a magician and my wife is ventriloquist/comedian.”  Mr. Haller said.  “Leon did not want to come on this cruise.  He so wants to be playing sports, but my parents thought that the cruise might take his mind off his physical problems.”

The three guys came out and asked if they could have a snack.  I looked at the three guys.  “You men can eat whenever you want to and you can drink anything as long as it is non alcoholic without asking.”

The three guys took some of the vegetables and cheese and crackers and were eating when Mr. Haller asked, “Have you met this Jeff person who did the show last night that everyone on the ship is talking about?  I heard he gave an exciting talk today as well.  He seems to have this ship buzzing.”

Jeremy and Jason started to laugh and pointed at Jeff.  “Yep, we know him and so do you.”

Mrs. Haller asked, “How did you get accommodations like this if you are an entertainer?”

Jeff said, “I guess because our friends and relatives gave this cruise to my Dad and me for a Christmas present.”

“So you are not a Professional Show Person?” Mr. Haller asked.

Jeff started to laugh and said, “I’m a third semester student in college. Dad, here is a General Practitioner type Doctor.  We are just plain people from Fremont, Nebraska.”

The Hallers both asked, “Well then why are you performing?”

“Beau is getting even with me for making him be an emcee in a show at Disney World on New Year’s Eve like he did in Washington, D. C. and New York City.”  Jeff answered.

Mrs. Haller asked, “So you and this Beau person don’t like each other very much?”

I intervened and said, “The two guys are like peas in a pod.  They have developed a mutual love and respect for each other but they are both too competitive for their own good.  Fortunately my other two sons are more laid back.  Since Christmas last year, my life has changed so much.  I have been overwhelmed by everything that has happened.  Before that time I had no one and now I have a harem of young guys and gals.”

Jeff interrupted, “You will need to excuse us.  We have to get dressed for formal night.  We are eating early because of the guys.  I have made arrangements for Lee to eat at our table with the two guys.  I’ll go with you to get his clothes.  He’ll be spending the night with us.  We’ll have him so he is running around the ship in no time before we get to Los Angeles.”

Everyone left and I sent Jason and Lee to take a bath while I took a shower and Jeff and Jeremy went to get Lee’s clothes.  We bypassed the Captain’s Reception went to the dining room for dinner.  Jeff had made arrangements for Lee to sit with us so our table consisted of Lee, the four Hamiltons, Jeff and me and a delightful couple, Ted and Lori Iverson from Oregon.

We found out that the Iversons had four boys but they were skiing in Colorado with their Uncle.  This was their first vacation away from their sons so they were glad to have the guys around.  We even made arrangements for them to join us for drinks and snacks before dinner.

We had a great meal and everyone looked fantastic in their tuxedoes.  When the photographer came by the table to take our picture, the guys all got up and pretended they were playing peek-a-boo behind the adults.  The photographer was laughing so hard that she had to take a couple of extra shots.

The Captain stopped by and Jeff introduced everyone to him.  The three guys stood and shook his hands.  The Iversons and the Hamiltons were amazed.  The Captain said, “Jeff, you were great last night and I saw the video of your talk today.  Keep this up and you be doing something every day.”

Jeff hugged the Captain and said, “We’re going to hit the show before putting our munchkins to bed.  They said it was G rated.”

Jeff said, “Ignacio, the service was superb.  These guys didn’t complain one time.  We’ll see you for breakfast.”

The entire table went to the theatre.  The guys found the seats where we had sat the night before.  Jeff and I were sitting between the three boys with the Iversons and the Hamiltons sitting so they could talk.  We were joined by the Hallers who had eaten on the Lido deck.

The young people in the production show did a very credible show but their costumes made the show.  I kept thinking that the Fremont gang could have done just as well.  When the show was over, we helped the three guys to the suite and Jeff helped them get ready for bed.  After they were in bed, Jeff and I went to the Panorama Lounge where we met up with the Iversons and the Hamiltons.

The pianist recognized Jeff from his show the night before and asked Jeff to join him and sing along as he played.  It was a very low key performance.  Jeff just sat on a stool next to the pianist and sang whatever was played while the people danced or just enjoyed the music.  The lounge was full.  The Captain came over and was talking to us during one of the breaks when the pianist went to have a cigarette or whatever. 

The waiters made sure that Jeff had whatever he needed.  At 11:00 o’clock Jeff excused himself saying, “Ladies and gentlemen I really need to go make sure the three young men in our cabin are fine.  They have probably short sheeted my bed.  Have a great rest of tonight and we’ll see you in the morning.”

We left and went to our suite.  The three guys were asleep cuddled together.  They were beautiful.  Jeff covered them and turned off the lights except for the night light.  We took a shower and got ready for bed.  Jeff fired up his laptop.

Beau had sent an e-mail, “Hi Dad and Jeff, everyone is excited about our trip tomorrow.  They have all been calling to see what they needed to take.  Clay and his parents arrived tonight with S.Z.Q.  Hope you are having a great time. Love, Aunt Evelyn, Jason and insignificant me, Beau.  We leave from Omaha at 10:00 tomorrow morning.  I’m scared spitless.”

Jeff replied, “Listen Beau you jerk, I am so going to make you pay when I get back to Fremont.  I can’t believe you did this to Dad and me.  I haven’t had time to breathe since we got here.  Right now we have three young guys sleeping in our cabin.  Tell everyone to have a great time in Disney World.  Love you all.  Love Jeff and Doctor Dad.”

To be continued...

Feedback always welcome:     

Editor's Notes:

Looks like Beau is still in charge.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 03/07/08