The Fremont Saga
by: E Walk
(© 2009 by the Author)
 

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Chapter 27 

Don’t Mess With the System

Tanner drove us to the Moats’ house because the weather was really rather dreary and damp.  When we were admitted, Timmy took control.  “Mr. Moats, we came to make sure you and your wife would be able to tell which of the boys was Steve and who was Jeff.”

Mr. Moats took us to a nursery and Mrs. Moats was changing the diapers of the two little guys.  The two little guys were vocally complaining.  Timmy went and picked up the first one, “Look, Stevie, your Mother has a lot to do.  She and your Daddy will take good care of you.  They aren’t going to let you starve.  Here’s your Godfather, Brian.  You’d better be good for him, or he’ll spank your butt.  Brian, talk quietly to Stevie, while I get Jeff settled.”

Tanner was watching as Timmy and I were giving the two boys their bottles of formula.  Timmy acted as if he had been doing this every day of his life and Jeff certainly didn’t complain at all.  Timmy explained, “Mr. and Mrs. Moats, look very carefully at Steve; he has a little dimple on his cheek.  I’m sure that you will be able to tell which boy is which in other ways, too.  It appears that Steve is going to be more active than Jeff.  Look at the way his little legs are moving.  Jeff is content to lie here and drink his bottle.”

As we were leaving, Timmy reminded the Moats, “If you need any help, please call us.  Tanner knows all about taking care of little kids, too.”

When we arrived at the house, Dad, Mother, Uncle Archie and Uncle Will were discussing something.  Dad motioned for us to sit down.  “Ben just called, and he, Grant, Maria and Inga will be coming home this weekend for the game and the dance.  We need to figure out where everyone is going to sleep.”

Morgan had been standing listening, “Brian, how many of your friends are coming from England?”

I wondered why she was asking, “Vicky is going to be bringing Gwen and Kate with her.  Gwen is Tanner’s date and Kate is Ron’s date.”

“Vicky can sleep in my room with me.  Kate and Gwen can sleep in Brian, Timmy and Tanner’s room.  Maria and Inga can sleep in Ben’s room.  Ben and Grant can stay at Grandma Gleason’s house.”

I started to ask where we displaced people would be sleeping, but Uncle Will beat me to it, “Archie and I will take Justin and Ricky to a motel and charge it to our expense account that our bosses will pay.  That means Timmy and his companions will be confined to the basement for the duration.”

Timmy folded his arms, “Why is everyone always picking on me?  I’m going to bed.”

Tanner stood, “I’ll get us two beers and go with you.  I have some homework to do.”

Morgan giggled, “Grab me one, too, and I’ll take my meds with it.”

After the three had departed, I looked at Mother and Dad, “What’s happening with Lauren?   Is she going to be able to go to school, tomorrow?”

Mother shook her head, “That depends on her.  If she can act civilly in the morning, I’ll take her to school, and pick her up immediately after school.”

As I was going up the stairs, Lauren was coming down.  “Derek, wants you to call him, when you’re ungrounded.”

“How did he find out I was grounded?  Have you told everyone in the world about me?”

“I have told no one how you have been behaving, and neither has Tanner.  It doesn’t take a master mind to figure out that you’ve been out of communications because you were grounded.”

She started to respond, but I went on up the steps.  When I walked into the room, both guys were lying on the bed in their briefs reading.  I pulled out my easel and a canvas and started to paint.  The guys had their backs to me, but they were still quite a sight to behold.”

On Wednesday when we arrived at the house after football practice, Uncle Will announced, as we were eating, “We rented a suite in the motel.  We’ll be moving our things there after dinner, so you can clean the rooms for the ladies and move your things to the basement.”

Timmy announced, “I checked with Grandmother and she said it would be okay if Ben and Grant stayed there, at her condo.”

Lauren asked, “Where’s Derek going to be sleeping, since he’s planning to spend the night on Saturday?”

Dad looked up, “I hadn’t realized that you had asked permission for Derek to spend the night.”

Lauren raised her voice, “You gave the guys permission to have their broads stay here.  So why shouldn’t my friend be able to stay here?”

Dad stood, “Young lady, I suggest you lower your voice, and if you’re not careful, you won’t be going to the game, or the dance on Saturday.” 

Needless to say, the rest of dinner was very tense.

After we did the dinner dishes, Tanner, Timmy, Morgan and I were busy cleaning bedrooms and bathrooms.  Timmy, Tanner and I were getting ready to move our things to the basement, when Lauren stormed in the door unannounced, “I’m going to get even with you guys.  I’ll tell everyone that you’re shacking up.  You’ll be the laughing stock of Fremont High.”

Everyone was stunned by the outburst, but Morgan reacted, “Timmy, go tell the parents that Lauren is out of control.”

After Timmy left, Morgan went and stood in front of Lauren, “Listen, witch, everyone will know that you’re lying.  Even I can see that Brian is so straight that he wouldn’t bend.  Heaven help anyone who tries to take advantage of Timmy.  Ever since you learned that Tanner, Timmy and Brian had more money than we have, you’ve been as green as the slime on a pond.  You’re the person who should be on medications.  Maybe a visit to the crazy people farm would do you a world of good.”

Dad had been listening, “Morgan, that’s enough.  Lauren, go to your room.  Brian and Tanner, Timmy is downstairs crying because of what Lauren said.  He doesn’t understand what she meant, but he realizes that it was not nice.  Go get him to relax.”

Tanner and I were finally able to get Timmy to stop crying.  We took him to the basement to get him ready for bed.  Tanner and I finished moving our clothes that we thought we would need, and Tanner started to do some homework.  I pulled out my easel and started to paint a picture of Timmy crying, as he had been when Tanner and I went to take care of him.  I wanted to go smack Lauren on her mouth.  I couldn’t believe she said what she did.  I was seething and I started a picture of Lauren with horns and a tail.

It seemed so strange to wake up in the basement.  I was still furious about what had happened the night before, but I couldn’t let Timmy know.  When we were eating breakfast, Lauren was absent and Dad casually mentioned, “Lauren won’t be at school this morning.  She has a medical evaluation.  You guys need to take Morgan to school, this morning.”

Morgan moaned, “Dad, I can’t be seen with these three creeps.”

Timmy stood, “Then, I guess you’ll have to walk to school.”

Morgan sighed, “If I have to walk, I’ll be so late that I’ll miss lunch and then it will be time for me to start home.”

Timmy started to take the dishes to the sink, “Okay, then get with the program.  We all know that lunch is the most important time of the day.”

When Tanner and I got home from football practice, which was nothing.  Coach Henderson talked to us, “Guys, there isn’t much more we can do to get ready, and we sure don’t need any more injuries before the game on Saturday.  Make sure your travel gear is packed, so we don’t have to meet tomorrow night.  Get plenty of rest and eat some good meals.”

After dinner, we were waiting for our three visitors from England. I had the few paintings that I had completed ready to send back with Jamie or Shamus, since I assumed they would be accompanying Vicky and her friends.”

When the chariot arrived, it was being pulled by the white horses.  The driver was none other than Uncle Reggie.  Uncle Reggie climbed out of the chariot, “The ladies are still sedated.  Timmy, take them to the house, so they can become lucid.  Tanner and Brian, you can take the ladies’ luggage into the house.  Brian, do you have anything to send to Mr. Johnson?”

After we had unloaded the ladies’ luggage, I handed Uncle Reggie my folder with some new paintings and he took off.  Tanner and I carried the ladies’ suitcases into the house and Timmy was giving the visitors a glass of water, “You’re just tired from the long trip.  Vicky, you’re going to be sleeping with Brian’s sister, Morgan, in her room.  I’ll go get her.”

I called Ron, so he could come and meet Kate.  We were visiting with my parents, since Gwen and Kate had not previously met Mother.  Morgan was enthralled with the three visitors.  Lauren, on the other hand, rather disappeared after the introductions.  I thought to myself, ‘Just as well.’

We made arrangements for the parents to bring the three ladies to the high school, at lunchtime.

When John and I arrived at the lunchroom, Dad was standing there with Vicky, Gwen, Kate, Tanner and Ron  Dad asked, “Do you want me to come pick the young ladies up, after your lunch period?”

“Dad, we’ll keep them entertained for the afternoon.  Besides, we have a pep rally the last period.  They need to see how important tomorrow’s game is, to a lot of people.”

As we were eating, people kept stopping by to meet the three young ladies.  We were just about finished eating when Vicky leaned over to me, “Why do I get the distinct feeling that your sister doesn’t like me.  I get the feeling that she is shooting daggers at me with her eyes.”

“Ignore her; she’s jealous, and she’s having a difficult time coping with some things that have happened, and are happening.”

I leaned over to Tanner, “I think you should go to art class with us, instead of going to your study hall.  That way Gwen can see what happens in art class.”

Tanner whispered, “I guess you need some models.”

“Now that you mentioned it, that’s not a bad idea.”

I did indeed use the three visitors from England as models.  Even if I do say so myself, the painting I did of the three ladies turned out pretty darn good.

As Vicky and I were walking to my sixth hour class, Vicky asked, “Brian, is there anything that you don’t excel at?”

“Vicky, there are a lot of things that I’m lousy at.”

After the sixth period class, we met up with Ron at the entrance to the gymnasium, “Ron, here is another beautiful lady for you to add to your harem.  We’ll catch up with you after the pep rally.”

I was hoping that I wouldn’t be called upon to say anything at the rally, but that wasn’t to be.  After Coach Henderson, Todd and John spoke, John pointed to me, “Here’s the mouth of the team, Brian Benson, to say a few words.”

I went to the microphone, “Gees, thanks, Mr. Waters.  I’ve been called a lot of things, but the mouth of the team is a new one.  Fellow students and faculty, we’ll try our best to keep the score of the game low, so you don’t have to take off your shoes and socks to keep track of the score.  If that were to happen, Fremont would probably be banned from participating in the state tournament.” 

“I have a personal grudge with that team.  It is the Westside’s quarterback’s fault that I’m even here talking to you, today.  He and I were playing catch with the football when our former coach insisted that I play football.  It’s important that as many of you as possible be there tomorrow, to support us.  We’re going to need all of the help we can get.”

 

When we finally arrived at the house, Ben, Grant, Maria and Inga had arrived.  Ben took me aside, “Brian, what’s wrong with Lauren.  She was rude when we introduced Maria and Inga.”

“Ben, I don’t understand everything that is happening, but Lauren is having issues because she thinks the parents, according to her, are treating Timmy and Tanner better than they treat her.  Some things have happened that have caused the three of us guys to have some money, and she can’t handle that.”

Ben nodded, “Dad, clued me in on that aspect of your lives.  I guess it was a good thing I got away while the getting was good.  I’ll talk to you more, after Grant and I take our things to Grandmother’s house.  Timmy tells us that Grandmother is anxious to meet Maria and Inga.”

When we took Grandmother’s dinner to her, she looked at Vicky. “You’re even prettier than Timmy said.”

As we were leaving Grandmother’s condo, Timmy asked, “Grandmother, will you be okay while we go to Brian’s game, tomorrow?”

“Timmy, I’ll be fine.  I’ll watch the game on television.  I’d go with you, but it would be a long ride and I can’t sit on those hard benches for very long.”

“Okay, we’ll bring you an early lunch and then dinner when we get back from the game.  Mother said she was going to fix something in the crock pot.”

When we arrived back at the house, Morgan handed me a note, “Ron called and said he was going to have a pizza party at his house, after dinner.  His parents want to meet the rest of the ladies from England.  Timmy, you were invited to keep Randy busy.”

Timmy giggled, “Who’s going to stay here and take care of you?”

Morgan sighed, “I’ve been invited to another party, with people my own age.”

Timmy frowned, “What kind of party?”

“An ice skating party.”
 

Timmy went to Dad, “Daddy, you’d better be ready to go take Morgan to the hospital when she falls and breaks her leg or arm.”

Timmy didn’t know that Morgan’s two most favorite things to do were to ride horses and ice skate.

After dinner, Timmy chased everyone out of the kitchen, “You people are slowing Morgan and me down.  We have a system and you’re messing it up.”

Ron’s parents went all out for the party.  It was almost ten o’clock when Timmy came to me, “Brian, I’m getting really tired.  Can we go home?”

Ben heard Timmy’s request, “Timmy, we’ll take you home.  We’re a little tired from our trip, and we don’t want to be too late getting to Grandmother’s house.  Let me go thank Ron for inviting us.”

After everyone had departed, we were helping Ron cleanup the remnants from the party.  I asked, “Ron, if Lauren’s boyfriend spends the night in town tomorrow, would it be possible for Tanner to spend the night here?”

Ron grinned, “Only if he promises not to snore.  Of course, he’s more than welcome to spend the night.”

After Tanner and I said goodnight to the ladies from Great Britain, and the parents, we were going down the stairs to the basement.  Tanner looked at me, “Brian, me thinks you’re trying to get me pregnant so you can get rid of me.”

I hugged Tanner, “That’s the one thing I don’t want.  You and Ron can become familiar with each other’s front sides, but save the back side for when you’re sure that you were meant for each other.”

Tanner started to laugh, “Brian, you sure don’t mince words.  You leave no openings for misinterpretations.”

“Look, brother, we wizards need to keep each other in line.”

Both Tanner and I started to laugh.  We heard Timmy, “Would you two stop messing around.  You’re the people who have a football game tomorrow.”

To be continued...

 Editor's Notes:  It is nice to see Vicky again.  I wonder what is going to happen to Lauren.  She is still being a real pain in the butt. 

Some people just don't have a clue how good they have things.  When you think of all the abuse that some kids have to put up with and the lack of food, clothing and shelter that others have to deal with, you realize just how wonderful it is to have a family that loves you and that is capable of caring for you and keeping you safe and comfortable.  Lauren should thank her lucky stars that her family loves her and puts up with her behavior, to the extent that they do.  For all of her snootiness, Beau and Becca, and the rest of the family, for that matter, are treating her a lot better than she deserves.

I hope we get a new chapter pretty soon.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher 

Posted: 06/18/10