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

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Chapter 29 

He’s Going With Or Without You

When we arrived at the house, Mother and Dad were still up, and I knew something was wrong.  After everyone was settled, so I thought, I went to talk to them, “What did I do wrong, now?”

Dad shook his head, “Brian, you did nothing wrong.  It’s as if Lauren has totally lost it.  She’s blaming you, Timmy and Tanner for the fact that she was not chosen to be the Homecoming Lady-In-Waiting.”

I was confused, “Dad and Mother, how could the three of us have had any control over how the junior class students voted?  Tanner was, and is, overwhelmed that he received the honor.  Certainly, Timmy and I couldn’t have had an impact, since neither of us was eligible to vote for the positions.  Where’s Derek?”

Dad shook his head, “He’s downstairs.  He's really upset, because he thinks he did something wrong.  He was going to go home, but we convinced him to stay until morning.  You need to talk to him.”

When I arrived in the basement, Timmy had his arm around Derek, “It’s not your fault.  You did nothing wrong.  We need to get some sleep, so we can take Grandma Gleason to church.  Brian and I are going to be Godfathers tomorrow, for Steve and Jeff’s christening.”

After Timmy was asleep, Derek whispered, “Brian, how could Lauren have changed so much in so few months?”

“Derek, my parents are really concerned about what is happening.  Her not being chosen the Homecoming Lady-In-Waiting must have pushed her over the top, especially after Tanner was announced as the Lord-In-Waiting.  Ever since she got her driver’s license, and Grandmother gave her the van, she has been a different person.  It is as if she has this need to be better than anyone else.  She really became upset when she found out that Tanner, Timmy and I had some money that she didn’t have access to.  I’m almost afraid to have Timmy be alone around her.  Let’s get some sleep; I still have a lot of aches from the game, today.”

“Yeah, me too.”

I was awakened by Timmy, crawling over me.  I decided to get up and go to the bathroom, too.  Timmy and I went up the stairs after we got decent, since there were so many lady visitors in the house.  I was surprised to see Dad sitting there reading the paper and drinking coffee.

He looked up, “Good morning, sons, Brian, you need to look at the sports section.  You made the headline story.”

Timmy crawled on Dad’s lap, “Where, Daddy?”

Dad pointed to the headlines and started to read to Timmy.  I was watching over Dad’s shoulder as he read the lead sports article.

Fremont Freshman Makes History

Not only did Freshman Brian Benson lead Fremont High School to the Class A state championship in football.  He walked away with all the honors.  He was awarded the Most Valuable Player Award by the President of the United States.

Late last night, the all state first team of players was announced and the Mr. Benson was named the Utility Player of the Year  and also named the captain of this year’s all state team.  Joining him on the team are Derek Cannon of Westside, at quarterback as the offensive captain, and Todd Meissing of Fremont, at free safety, as the defensive captain.

Timmy looked up at Dad, “Daddy, that’s pretty good for someone who doesn’t want to play football, isn’t it?”

Dad hugged Timmy, “I’d say that's very good.”

I started to fix breakfast while Timmy was setting the table and getting the juice, when Derek appeared from the basement.  Timmy looked at Dad, “Daddy, show Derek the article that you just read to me.”

Derek read the article and started to laugh, “And to think, this is all my fault.”

I looked up from what I was doing, “And don’t you forget it.  Timmy, go tell everyone that breakfast will be ready in thirty minutes.”

Dad stood, “Timmy, I’ll do what the Captain ordered.  You make sure he and Derek don’t burn themselves.”

Everyone surfaced, even Lauren, and Derek, Timmy and I started to serve the people the concoction that I had made.  Everyone was digging in, except Lauren.  She spoke up, “I can’t eat this crap.”

Timmy didn’t even look up, “Then fix your own breakfast, and you can clean your own mess.”

Lauren started, “Don’t tell me what to do, you little creep.  I’m not your servant.”

I'd had about all I could take, “Look, Miss Twit, if you wonder why you weren’t selected to be the Lady-In-Waiting, you’re demonstrating to all our visitors exactly why you weren’t.  Timmy is right.  We aren’t your servants.”

“Come on, Timmy, we need to get dressed, since Father Wanamaker wants us to meet with him and Moats at ten o’clock.”

Fortunately we were saved by the arrival of Tanner and Ron.  Tanner greeted us, “Good morning, we’re here to help.  We figured it would take both our cars to get everyone to church on time.”

Timmy looked at Tanner, “You need to be sure that you and Gwen pick up Grandmother, in lots of time.  She really wants to be at the christening.  Derek can take us to the church, since Witch Lauren is being so nasty.”

Dad rolled his eyes, “Guys, go get ready for church.  We’ll make sure everyone gets to the church on time.”

Derek and I were in the bathroom getting ready.  Derek looked at me, “Is Timmy always this vindictive?”

“Derek, we’ve had to put up with a lot, since you were here the last time.  Morgan had to go on medications and I’m guessing that Lauren will need to do so also, since the therapy sessions don’t seem to be doing any good.  Maybe, it’s Timmy, Tanner and me who need the therapy sessions to be able to cope with what’s going on.”

Timmy came into the bathroom fretting, “Brian, make my hair look good and help me put my tie on.  I’m nervous.  I’m afraid I’ll do something wrong.”

I fixed Timmy’s hair and his tie and assured him that everything would go okay. 

When Derek, Timmy and I arrived at the church, Mr. and Moats were already there with Steve and Jeff and the two sets of grandparents.  The boys were both complaining; Timmy went and took Steve and told me to take Jeff.  The boys both settled down after we began to talk to them.   The twins were quiet the entire time we were meeting with Father Wanamaker.

When the entourage from the house arrived, we occupied three pews.  Timmy and I sat in the row behind the Moats family with Grandmother, Tanner, Gwen, Vicky, and Morgan.  After we were seated, Vicky leaned over to me and whispered, “If your sister is always like this, then I I don’t think I want to come back for another visit.  I honestly don’t know how you and Timmy put up with the way she acts toward you.  She needs a spanking.”

I laughed, “I’ll tell the parents what you said.  Timmy, Tanner and I have been making a concerted effort to not to upset her, but as you can see, we can’t do anything right.”

The conversation stopped because the processional started.  The christening ceremony was scheduled right after the first hymn was sung.  Father Wanamaker asked the participants in the christenings to approach the altar.  Timmy and I went to stand in our assigned places.  Father Wanamaker baptized Steve and handed him to Timmy.  After Jeff had been baptized he handed to me.  After the christening, Father Wanamaker had us accompany him to the front of the dais. “As the two Godfathers walk the newest of our members amongst you, meditate on how you will be able to enrich the lives of Stephen and Jeffrey.”

As Timmy and I stepped down the step; it was as if Timmy was carrying a dozen individual eggs in his arms.   We walked side by side, down the center aisle so the congregation could see the two infants.  As we were returning to the altar area, Timmy stopped next to Grandmother Gleason and handed her Steve.   I handed Jeff to Grandpa Jack Wilson who was sitting next Dad.  I probably said something I shouldn’t have said, but it slipped out, “Grandpa Jack, here is another Jeff to help ease the pain of the loss of Uncle Jeff.”

The look on Dad’s face was one of concern when he heard what I said.  I had a sinking feeling in my stomach as Timmy and I returned to the altar.  Father Wanamaker whispered, “Brian, I think you made you Grandpa Wilson’s day.”

After the service, Dad announced, “Mount up, we have reservations for a private dining room at the club.  We’ll be partaking of the buffet.  We thought it would be easier for Morgan and Timmy, so they wouldn’t have to do so many dishes.”

We were joined at lunch by Grandpa Jack and Uncle Tommy, so I had to make a lot of introductions.  As we were about finished eating, Timmy, out of the clear, looked at the visiting ladies. “Ladies, remember that we are going to my house in Swissland on December 27.  We’ll be there until January 2^nd.  Ron and Derek, do you understand.  You need to be ready to leave.”

That was more than Lauren could handle, “How dare you invite Derek without consulting me?”

Timmy stood, “It’s my house, and I’ll invite whomever I want.  Derek, is going to teach me to ski.  If you aren’t careful, you won’t be going with us, if all you can do is yell.  We need to take Grandmother home, she’s getting rather tired.”

Vicky whispered, “Timmy, isn’t going to take any crap from Lauren.  It will be interesting to see if she joins us on the ski trip.”

Derek, Timmy, Vicky and I took Grandmother home.  When we had her inside, she hugged Timmy, “I liked the way you stood up to Lauren.  She’s beginning to act more and more like her long lost relatives.  Brian, would you ask your Dad to make an appointment for me to see David Burns?”

Grandmother looked at Vicky, “You are a very beautiful young woman.  It’s been a pleasure meeting you and your friends.  I hope I get to see you again.”

Vicky hugged Grandmother, “Thank you, Grandmother Gleason.  That certainly is a stunning pin that you’re wearing.”

Grandmother got a big smile, “Timmy, Tanner and Brian gave it to me for my birthday.”

As we were leaving, Timmy hugged Grandmother, “Get some rest, and we’ll bring you a light meal for dinner, since we had such a big lunch.”

When we arrived at the house, Derek announced, “I’m going to be leaving now.  Mr. and Mrs. Benson, thank you for your hospitality.  Brian, I’ll be talking to you.   Timmy, you and Morgan take care.  It was a pleasure to have met the rest of you.”
 

The fact that he was completely ignoring Lauren was apparent to everyone.  After Derek’s departure, Uncle Will told the assembled people, “Our transportation to take us home will be arriving at four o’clock.  Tanner, could you follow me to the car rental place so I can return the car?  Justin and Rick, please get the luggage out of the trunk and put it beside the back door.”

Ben nodded, “Everyone get comfortable, and put your luggage by the back door, but we need to keep it separate to save time loading it.”

After everyone went to do what they were told to do, Timmy asked, “Uncle Will and Uncle Archie, do we gotta make everyone drink that water stuff.  Wouldn’t it be easier to let them know what’s happening, rather than always having to put them to sleep?”

Uncle Archie answered, “That’s up to you guys to decide.”

Timmy continued, “I think it’s not necessary, because they’re going to realize something strange is happening.  I knew that some strange had to be happening when we got to where we were going so fast.  If they tried to tell someone what had happened, people would think they were making up stories.  Brian, you need to tell them not talk about their trip.”

I went to get the few artworks that I had and put them with the luggage for the carriage going to England.  Everything was ready and everyone said their goodbyes.  We walked into the back yard.  I looked at the assembled people, “You aren’t going to believe what is going to happen, so please don’t ever talk about how you got here, or back home, under any circumstances.  Timmy thinks that people will think you’re not telling the truth, if you talk about your ride.”

Three carriages arrived.  The lead carriage with the white horses had Uncle Reggie in control.  We got Gwen, Kate and Vicky’s things loaded, as well as the paintings, and it took off.  The second carriage with the black horses had Shamus in control. We loaded the things for the Ithaca people.  The third carriage, with brown horses and Jaime at the controls, was taking the people to Chalet Lafontaine.

We watched as the carriages took off into the sky. Morgan had been watching in amazement, “Aren’t the neighbors going to see what’s happening, and know that something is funny?”

Timmy answered, “Only certain people can see the carriages.  When we landed at Tanner’s house, we landed right on the beach where there were lots of people and no one thought anything of it.”

Timmy turned his attention to Mother, “Mother, what do you want us to fix Grandmother for dinner.  I told her we would bring a something little to eat.”

Tanner answered before Mother could, “Come on, Timothy, you and me will fix something light, while Brian changes the linens on the beds and cleans the bathroom.  We don’t want no girl germs.”

Morgan was standing there laughing, “Tell you what, I’ll help Tanner with the cooking and you can clean my bedroom and especially Lauren’s and my bathroom, since it is such a pigpen, because Lauren has her things thrown all over the place.  I was so embarrassed that Vicky saw the mess.”

We were interrupted by the arrival Lauren.  She pointed at me and didn’t waste any time, “I suppose you’re happy that you’ve made me the laughing stock of Fremont High.  I’ll never be able to show my face there again.”

She whirled around and pointed at Tanner, “What did you do?  Use your money to buy votes, so you could put on you cockamamie act last night.”

She pointed at Timmy, “You’re not even a member of family.  Don’t ever talk to me like you did a lunch today.  I don’t care if you’re rich.  If I don’t go to your stupid house at Christmas time, I’ll make sure that nobody goes.”

Dad grabbed Lauren, “Young lady, you’re out of control.  We’re taking you to get you help.  You just made a death threat.  Becca, get the car, and Morgan, get Lauren’s coat.  We’ll be back as soon we get Lauren taken care of.”

I stood there with Timmy backed against me.  He was shaking.  I thought to myself, ’What a way to end what was supposed to be a fun weekend.’     

To be continued...

Editor's Notes: I'm afraid I saw that coming.  Lauren has been building up a full head of steam for some time. It was bound to blow up, eventually. 

I am very happy that Beau and Becca decided the time had come to get Lauren into some kind of facility where she can't do any harm to others or herself.

It seems that some people just can't stand to see anyone else have something nice happen to them.

Lauren and Morgan have always been treated fairly.  It was only their actions that caused Beau and Becca to treat them differently. 

Morgan has come a long way since she started taking her medication.

I am sorry to say, that I doubt that Lauren will ever be a truly nice person.  I found her to be a stuck up little bitch from the moment we met her.  She always had that, "I'm so much better than you," attitude.  She was Jealous of Brian, Ben and Grant, right from the start, and when Timmy joined the family, she got even more upset.

When Tanner came along, I thought she was going to blow up right then, but it was only a matter of time before she blew a gasket.

She had zero regard for anyone else' feelings, and always seemed to be trying to get all she possibly could, without considering the consequences.  

I certainly hope that she didn't receive any of the gifts that Ben, Grant, Brian, Tanner and Timmy received. 

If she did, and realized it, she could do some serious harm to others, and possibly herself, as well. 

I guess we will just have to wait for more chapters to find out what will happen next. I'm ready for more.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 07/09/10