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

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Chapter 31 

Dr. Timmy Takes Control

When Tanner and I arrived at the house, Timmy was sitting on the porch steps, even though it was cool.  I walked up to Timmy, “Why are you sitting out here in the cold?”

“Because Lauren started yelling at Morgan when we got home after Daddy picked us up.”

My hackles went up, “Has she said anything to you, or yelled at you?”

Timmy shook his head no, “She didn’t even say hello to me.  It’s like she’s ignoring me.  Daddy said to warn you that it was going to be a long rest of the week.”

Tanner asked, “Why was she yelling at Morgan, anyway?”

Timmy shrugged his shoulders, “She’s saying that Morgan moved all of her things that were in the bathroom and she can’t find anything.  She changed her sheets even though they were clean and threw the old ones into the hallway and didn’t even take them down to the laundry room.”

I shook my head, “Why did she do that?”

Poor Timmy was baffled, “Guys, I don’t know.  Mother even told Lauren that she was the person who cleaned Lauren’s room and made her bed.”

“Lauren stomped off and I haven’t seen her since.  I came out here to sit and wait for you.”

I took a deep breath, “Where is Morgan, now?” 

“When I came out here, Morgan was trying to get Daddy and Mother to allow her to sleep in the basement while Lauren is here.”

Tanner looked confused, “Why don’t the parents want her to sleep in the basement?  It would to be a good way to stop any problems from starting.”

Timmy shook his head no, “Daddy says that would be like treating Lauren like she was a queen.  He said that if anyone slept in the basement, it would be Lauren.”

When the three of us walked into the house, Dad and Mother greeted us.  Dad looked at us, “Guys, under no circumstances are you to react or respond to any demands by Lauren.  She’s acting as if she’s the queen bee.  She has been refusing to take her medications.  It going to be a long week.”

I looked at Mother and Dad, “Dad and Mother, is there anything that we can do to help relieve the stress that you must be feeling.  We can’t afford to have either of you get sick.”

Mother shook her head, “The best thing that you could do would be to make it so Lauren would take her medications.  That’s probably not possible, because the experts at facility where she was, couldn’t even make her do it.”

Tanner changed the subject, “Mother, what can we do to help with dinner?”

“Tanner, everything is ready to start cooking.  There’s a mini meat loaf in the refrigerator for Grandmother, and a small casserole of scalloped potatoes.  Why don’t you start the oven at 325°?  I’ll cook our dinner while you’re taking the food to Grandmother.”

Dad looked at Timmy and then at me, so I gathered he and Mother wanted to talk to me alone.  I looked at Timmy, “Timmy, why don’t you help Tanner while I take our backpack upstairs.  I'll be there to make sure that you are doing a good job making sure that Tanner is doing what he’s supposed to be doing.”

Timmy looked at me funny, “Brian, I'm not sure what you said, but if you want to talk to Daddy and Mother alone, next time, just say so.”

After Timmy went to the kitchen, Dad laughed, “That’s one intuitive young man.  Brian, I know this is a selfish request, but is there any way to alleviate this problem with Lauren using your special powers.”

I swallowed, “Dad, there probably is, but that's not the purpose that the powers were intended to be for.  They are to help the oppressed and abused and Lauren doesn’t meet either criteria.”

“Son, I was just hoping.”

I hugged Dad and Mother, “We’ll get through this ordeal, somehow.”

As Tanner, Timmy, Morgan and I were taking Grandmother’s food to her; Timmy and Morgan were talking quietly in the back seat.  I turned around and asked, “What is it that you two are plotting?”

Timmy answered, “We’re just talking.”

Timmy made sure that Grandmother ate as usual.  Timmy was reading to Grandmother while Tanner and I took care of the minimal clean up.  Before we left, she asked, “Brian, could you help me to my bedroom.  I think I’ll get ready for bed now and watch some television.  I’ve had a busy day.”

I did as she asked, but this was something new.  When we arrived in the bedroom, she looked at me, “Brian, I’m an old lady, so don’t try to pull the wool over my eyes.  Things aren’t going so well with Lauren being home, are they.”

I shook my head no, “Grandmother, she has vented her anger so far at Morgan.  She has ignored Timmy, Tanner and me, so far, for some reason, but it’s only a matter of time.  I’m worried about Dad and Mother, and what effect Lauren’s actions might have on them.”

Grandmother nodded, “I’ve noticed a change in both Becca and Beau.  They seem to have aged.  Brian, you’re the strong member of the family.  Between you, Timmy and Tanner, I’m sure that you will come up with a way to make things better.”

“Grandmother, the biggest obstacle we face right now is to get Lauren to take her medications.  Until she does, the situation can’t improve.”

Grandmother patted my arm, “Brian, between you three guys, I’m sure you can come up with something that will fix the situation.  You'd better go now, or you’ll miss your dinner.  I’ll be fine.  I just wanted a chance to talk to you alone.  Please make sure the house is secure.  I’ll see you tomorrow.”

As we were going to the house, I was thinking, ‘Why does everyone think that Timmy, Tanner and I can fix everything?  I’m only fifteen.’

I heard a voice, “If anyone can do it, it’s the three of you guys.  I’m proud of how you handled the situation with your Dad, this afternoon.”

As we were eating, Lauren wasn’t talking to anyone.  Timmy looked at Morgan, “Have you taken all your medicines, today?”

“No, I have to take some pills after we eat, and then one at bedtime.”

Timmy grinned, “Just remember to take them, if you want to go to Chalet Lafontaine.  We don’t allow people to visit if they don’t take all their medications.”

Lauren started to laugh.  “That’s a dumb rule.  Who made it?”

Timmy looked up, “I made it, since I own the Chalet.  You for sure won’t be going with us on our ski trip, if you don’t start taking all your medications.”

Lauren decided to play high and mighty, “That’s such a dumb rule there is no way that you can know if someone is taking their medications.”

Timmy said, “Bet me, if you want to go with us, you need to go get your medicines and give them to Daddy and Mother and they can make sure you take them when you’re suppose to, while you’re here.  They will have a form they have to sign, saying that you took them.  The same thing needs to happen when you go back to school.  You need to have a nurse, or someone, sign it when you take the medicines.  Come on, Morgan, we need to take our dishes to the kitchen.  The others can bring their own things.

Tanner and I watched as Lauren went to her room and got her medicines. When she sat them down in front of the parents, she turned to me, “I hope you’re satisfied with your little do good clone.”

I put up my hands, “Lauren, I had no idea that was going to happen.   I should have guessed he was planning something, but trust me, neither Tanner or I knew what he was going to do.” 

I turned to Dad and Mother, “Doctor Timothy has given you your marching orders, so you'd better be able to prove to him that Lauren is indeed following her medication regimen.”

Tanner and I took the rest of the dishes into the kitchen but we were advised that we should concentrate on making a schedule of what we had to do, on Wednesday and Thursday, to make this a special feast.

I hugged Timmy, “I’m going to bed, I’m tired of people being bossy.  Come on Tanner we’ll make a schedule on the computer and print a copy, to see if the boss will approve it.”

Tanner and I were working on a schedule when a very timid Timmy came into the room, “Tanner and Brian, are you mad at me?”

I hugged Timmy, “Timmy, we’re not upset with you, at all. Why did you decide that Lauren needed to take her medicines?”

Timmy put his arm around my neck, “I heard what the parents were talking to you about.  Morgan and I thought that maybe telling her she couldn’t go skiing with us, unless she took them might work.  Morgan said that Lauren would be mortified if people found out she couldn’t go skiing with us because she wasn’t listening to what the doctors told her to do; what does mortified mean?”

I chuckled, “I’m not exactly sure, but I think it means about the same as embarrassed.”

Tanner grinned, “Timmy, we’ll have to see how well your plan works by the time Lauren goes to her new school, next week.”

All three of us had had our shower and were lying on the reading bed, when there was a knock on the door.  I called out, “Who is it so we know how to get dressed?”

“It is I, the big bad dad.”

Tanner called out, “Come in, if you’re descent and won’t embarrass us.”

Dad come in, “Guys, thanks for making it so Lauren is at least temporarily going to take her medications.  If anyone except Timmy had suggested such a simple plan, she would have fought it, and the fact that Timmy tied the medication to the ski trip was a stroke of genius.”

I started to laugh, “Timmy, did you hear that?  Dad just called you and Morgan geniuses.”

Timmy looked up at me, “Brian, is that good or bad?”

Dad put his arm around Timmy, “Son, that’s very, very good.  I’ll see you in the morning.”

I was awakened by someone shaking me, “Brian, it’s time to get up, so we can go for a run before we start making the pies.  Tanner is already in the bathroom.”

I moaned, “But Timmy, this is a vacation day from school.  I want to stay in bed all day.”

Timmy turned, “I’ll go tell Daddy that you need some medicines to give you energy.  If you don’t take them, you won’t go skiing with us either.  Now get out of bed.”

As I was walking into the bathroom, I was met by Tanner, he rolled his eyes, “It looks as if Wizard Brian was having a good dream.”

“So, what of it.  I had to stall getting out of bed so Timmy wouldn’t have been shocked.  He threatened to get me some medicine to give me energy, that I would have to take, before I could go skiing.”

Tanner shook his head, “I’m beginning to think that Timmy may very well be a genius.”

After breakfast, we were talking to Mother, and Tanner asked, “Mother, is there anything that we can make today for tomorrow other than the pies and cranberry fruit salad.”

She shook her head no, “I would guess that’s about all you can really fix, today.  After dinner, you can get everything else organized so it’s ready for the morning.  We’ll get some pastries when we go to pick up the turkey, so that everyone can fix their own breakfast.  If the three of you work together, things will fall into place nicely.”

Timmy shook his head, “Don’t forget, Mother, there are going to be four of us.  Morgan is going to be helping us, too.”

After we had made two pumpkin pies and two of Mrs. Grissom’s chocolate angel pies, Timmy was lamenting, “Guys, do you think that’s enough pies?”

Mother laughed, “Timmy, with everything else that you guys and Morgan are fixing, that will be plenty.”

After dinner, we did indeed set everything out that we would need in the morning.  Dad came into the kitchen, “What did you guys do, buy the entire store?”

Tanner, Timmy, Morgan and I went to make a timetable for when things would need to be done in the morning.  I don’t think Timmy really got much sleep.  He kept tossing and turning, which was not at all normal, for him.  I kept feeling his head to make sure he didn’t have a fever.

He woke me at three o’clock, “Brian, is it time to get up yet?”

“Timmy, go back to sleep. It’s five more hours before we need to start cooking things.”

“Brian, what time are Ben and Grant coming?”

“Timmy, they said they were going to be here about nine o’clock.”

“Are they coming by carriage?”

“I guess they probably are.  They didn’t tell me.”

Tanner sat up, “Would you two blabbermouths stop talking and get some sleep, or we’ll be too tired to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner?”

Timmy pulled the sheet over his head, “Why is everyone always picking on me?  I didn’t do anything.”

I got out of bed at seven, and decided that there wouldn’t be any running.  I went to start the coffee and put the pastries and some fresh fruit on the counter, with plates and utensils, so people could help themselves.  I was joined by Tanner and Timmy and we were eating at the breakfast bar when the parents arrived.

Timmy looked up, “Good morning, Daddy and Mother.  We’re getting’ ready to go hunting for a turkey and a deer.  You’ll have to eat the deer because I don’t think I’d like it.”

Dad started to give Timmy a difficult time, “While you're at it, perhaps you can get a bear and some rabbits.  That should give us plenty of meat for the winter.”

Timmy laid his head on the breakfast bar, “Mother, I’m not feeling too well, I think you need to take my temperature and give me some aspirin.  Daddy gave me a headache.  Come on, guys, it’s eight o’clock, we need to get started if we’re going to be able to stay on your schedule.”

Everyone had breakfast, and Timmy and Morgan were keeping the utensils that Tanner and I were using clean, as fast as we dirtied them.  It was a good thing that the parents had a utility sink with a garbage disposal, in the breakfast bar, or it would have been impossible for all of us to work in the kitchen at one time.

Ben and Grant came in the back door at nine o’clock.  Timmy ran to greet them.  “There’s some rolls and fruit if you want any.  Why do you have your bags, if you’re going to be home for only today.”

Ben had picked Timmy up, “Look, brother, we’ve had reports that you’re causing problems around here, so we thought we’d stay a couple of days and get you straightened out.”

Timmy sighed, “Ben, someone hasn’t been telling you the truth.  It’s Brian and Tanner who are causing all the problems.  Your bedroom is ready for you.  Grandmother wants you to go visit her.  Maybe you and Grant can go get her and bring her to the feast.  She’d like that.”

Ben grinned, “Timmy, I think Grant and I can handle that.  Is there anything else we can do to help?” 

“Nope, we’re right on schedule.  Come on, Morgan.  It’s time for us to set the table.”

Ben and Grant approached where Tanner and I were working. Ben asked, “Brian, what’s the atmosphere like with Lauren home?”

“When she arrived on Tuesday, she was on her high horse, but Timmy issued an ultimatum that if she didn’t take her medicines, she wasn’t going skiing with us.  She was very mellow yesterday, and so far this morning.  We’ve all tried to not do anything that would upset her.”

Grant surprised me, “Isn’t that like you’re making her feel as if she’s in control?”

I looked at Grant, “Grant, that may be, but it’s a heck of sight better than having her yelling at, and berating people all the time.  In any case, she’s going to be leaving for her new school on Monday.”

Timmy and Morgan returned from dining room Timmy announced, “The dining room is ready to start eating.  What’s taking you guys so long?  How come we don’t smell the turkey?  Do Morgan and I need to go find some more firewood?”

Ben laughed, “I guess it’s never boring around here.  What a difference a year makes.” 

To be continued...

Editor's Notes:  It does look as if Timmy is a genius.  He certainly had Lauren pretty well eating out of his hand. 

One of the biggest problems people who need to take medication to stabilize their emotions, is that while they are taking the meds, they feel wonderful, and they think they are doing fine, and therefore, they no longer require the drugs.  Of course, nothing could be farther from the truth.  The drugs are providing ingredients to stabilize their body's systems.  Once the drugs wear off, after they stop taking them, they go back to the bad behavior.  This is very difficult for the person to understand.

Another good example of this sort of behavior is when a doctor prescribes antibiotics, and tells people to continue taking them until the prescription runs out.  The person usually starts feeling much better after a couple of days, and yet there is enough medicine to last about a week.  If they stop taking the drugs, it stops working on the bacteria, and some of it survives, making it more likely to be immune to the antibiotics in the future. 

So, always do what the Doctor tells you. 

I'm ready for the next chapter.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 07/23/10