Pinochle
by: E Walk

(Copyright 2007 by the Author)
Editor: Will B
 

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

Chapter 10

Getting Ready For Ithaca

This is Knock.

To say that I am overwhelmed by everything that has been happening would be an understatement.  It wasn’t so bad when it was just Ben’s family, but now we seem to be the focal point for a lot more people.  I guess it is a good thing that Ben and I aren’t going to be around much longer, or people might begin to realize that Ben and I are probably more than just good friends.

Brian was standing there, “Come on guys, let’s go.  Mr. Garrison left with our Granddads and Grandma Ginny.”

Brian was talking about sports and things that were like Greek to me the entire way to the club.  As we were getting out of the car, Brian turned to me, “Knock, you had better be ready to answer a lot of questions.”

As we were entering the dining area we were met by Mr. Edmond, both of the guys greeted him, “Hi Uncle Mitch, where are the parents hiding?”

Mr. Edmond escorted us to a small private room behind the buffet.  Brian said, “I guess it is just the immediate family plus a few others today.”

Ben’s Dad came over to us, “Ben, I think that you need to introduce Grant to everyone, even those people he has met before.  That might assist him in remembering their names.  He has met a lot of people in a short period of time.”

Ben started with his Grandmother Renee Gleason and Mrs. Ginny Powers who he referred to as Grandma Ginny since she was Uncle Jason’s Grandmother.  The next person was Doctor Ben Jameson, who was Uncle Jason’s Granddad.  When he introduced the next gentleman, it was evident that there was a special feeling between Ben and him.  This is Dad’s father, Dr. Josh Benson.  We call him Granddad so that he and Grandpa Ben know who we are talking to.”               

I had already met the next group of people.  I greeted Uncle Jason and Aunt Cindy Jameson and their two children Ricky, who was 14, and Ginger, who was 12. 

Doctors Jack and Tommy Wilson shook my hand and Tommy asked. “Am I seeing just Ben at 7:30 in the morning or both of you?”

Ben laughed, “Doctor Tommy, it’s going to be both of us.  My case is more critical than Grant’s.”

Doctor Tommy threw up a beautiful smoke screen, “Good then I’ll start making sure that you two gentlemen have the shots you need for your trip to England and for college.  Make sure you bring your shot records.”

Brian interrupted, “I guess I had better come with them to make sure my shots are up to date since I’m chaperoning them on their trip to England.  Since Mother and Lauren and I are going to be covering for them when they go to Ithaca, I’ll just go to work with them so I can find out what it that I am going to be doing while they are gone.”

Ben finally stopped front of the last person, “This is T.J. Wilson.  He is Uncle Tommy’s son.  He just graduated from Stanford and has been accepted to the Creighton Medical School this fall.”

T.J. had a very strong handshake.  He spoke very quietly, “It’s good to meet you Knock.  I must say this; you two make a very handsome couple.”

Brian and Ricky were standing there laughing.

Before they could make a comment, Ben’s father interrupted, “Brain and Ricky, please go help your Grandmothers through the buffet line.”

The two fourteen years did as requested.  Ben looked at T.J., “Where are J.T. and Andy?  They are always around when you’re home?”

“They went on a vacation to Washington, D. C. with Uncle Drew and Uncle Kenny.  They are going to spend three weeks touring the Northeast and the Midwest.” T.J. replied.

Everyone else was starting to eat when Ben, T.J. and I went through the buffet line.  We were seated in small square arrangement, so it was easy for everyone to talk.  The three of us had just begun to eat when the questions started.

Grand Renee started, “Grant, I don’t remember seeing you around before now.  I didn’t realize that Gregg had any children.”

Brian spoke up, “Grandma Renee, Grant grew up in a wooded area and he only arrived to live with Mr. Garrison last Monday.”

Ben’s Dad looked at Brian, “Brian, Grant is capable of speaking for himself so be quiet.”

I was almost at a loss for words, “Ma’am, everything Brian said was true.  I moved in with Dad last Monday which was the same day that Ben started to work for my father.  It was like a magical force had arranged for me to meet Ben and then find out that both of us would be attending Cornell University in the fall.”

I took a deep breath, “I have had to rely on Ben to teach me about city life, since it is an entirely different way of life for me.”

Brian leaned over to me and whispered, “Well said.  I was watching Ben’s crotch to make sure you didn’t tell a lie.”

I looked at Brian and whispered, “Maybe you will resurface in Antarctica and be walking like a penguin.”

Brian looked at me and started to laugh and whispered, “Well a penguin would be better than walking like a duck like Ben yesterday morning.”

The rest of dinner was rather uneventful.  When everyone had finished eating, Ben’s father stood, “We want to thank everyone for coming.  We need to get back to the house so we can make plans for our trip to Ithaca next weekend.  You are more than welcome to join us.”  He turned Mitch, “Mitch, you know the routine.  Make sure everyone is well compensated.  Brunch was wonderful as always.”

Everyone had started to disperse when T. J. asked, “Guys, would you mind if I listened into your planning session.  I think Dad is tired and wants to take Grandpa Jack home so they can rest and get caught up on some paperwork.  Besides they will be seeing you first thing in the morning.”

Ben shrugged his shoulders, “We’re not hiding anything, please feel free to join us.”

Brian announced, “Ricky and I are coming too.  We don’t want to miss anything in our education into the world of human sexuality.”

I thought T. J. was going to split his pants from laughing so hard.  After everyone arrived at Ben’s parent’s house, the only persons missing from brunch were Doctor Tommy and Doctor Jack Wilson.  Ben’s father gave Lauren the keys to his van and some money; she took off with Morgan and Ginger.

It was like everyone was sitting around with bated breath waiting for the meeting to begin.  Ben’s father took charge, “I have chartered a small jet to take us to Ithaca next Sunday.  We’ll be leaving from Fremont at 2:00p.m. 

I have made some appointments for you two guys at the University which I will explain later.  I’ll reconfirm the appointments on Monday before your mother and I leave for Kansas City to meet with Zack.  We are scheduled for three consultations.  I am not sure why we are going because Zack and Mark are more brutal than we are.”

Ben’s father got a funny look on his face, “I just had a sudden thought, T.J., you don’t start medical school for two weeks, perhaps you could fill in at the Toy Shop for Mr. Garrison.  Brian and Lauren are already scheduled to replace Grant and Ben while they are gone.  I’m guessing that Ricky wouldn’t mind earning a few dollars also.”

I was surprised at how easily T.J. acquiesced.   He perked up, “That would give me something to do.  I’ll probably be so busy watching to make sure that Brian and Ricky don’t screw up that I’ll be the one who screws up.”

Brian giggled, “Don’t worry cous; we will make sure that you medical people don’t mess up too badly.”

This is Ben. 

I’m beginning to think that I am on another planet with everyone talking like this in front of our grandparents and parents.

Dad went to get the phone and brought it back and turned on the speaker so everyone could hear the conversation.  He dialed a number and a voice answered, “This is Harley Gordon.”

“Harley, this is Beau Benson.  I met you several years ago when my wife and I were doing some consulting work in your fair city.  I have a couple of favors to ask of you.”

Mr. Gordon sounded surprised, “Beau, how could I forget you and your lovely wife, Becca.  I remember that when you left this town last time some people were standing on their noses.  How may I help you?”

“Harley, our son is going to be attending Cornell along with his friend Grant this fall.  Grant’s father, Gregg Garrison, is thinking about relocating there so he can be close to the guys.  The five of us will be arriving next Sunday about 7:00p.m.  Is there anyway that you could meet us?”

“Beau, I don’t have a car.  I could rent a van to take care of getting everyone settled.”

Dad was relentless, “Harley, I’ll call and reserve two vehicles if you can get to the General Aviation terminal.  You can be our tour guide.”

Mr. Gordon interrupted, “Where will the five of you be staying?”

Dad was ready, “I reserved two double rooms at the Statler Hotel.  We just realized this afternoon that Becca would be joining us.  The hotel told me that these were the last rooms they had for the time period when we will be there.  Is there anyway that Gregg could stay with you?  Since we will have two vehicles, you and Gregg will be free to move about and you will be able to join us when we are free.”

Mr. Gordon laughed, “Gregg may certainly stay with me if he doesn’t mind a little clutter.  I’ll take some vacation time from work.”

Dad looked a little concerned, “Harley, are you sure our visit wouldn’t be an imposition?”

“Heavens no, it would give me great pleasure to show you around the area so you can see the beautiful sights as you have time.”

“Harley, there may not be much time to see the sights.  We’ll be meeting with the University President and the Board of Regents on Monday.  Grant and Ben will be busy with testing, counseling and scheduling on Tuesday.  Becca and I have scheduled two consultations in the area for Tuesday.”  Perhaps, there will be some time on Wednesday to look at the sights.  If we don’t get to see much on this trip, we will be making many trips to your city over the next four or five years.  Now I’m going to put Gregg on.  He has some things he would like to have your help with.”

“Mr. Gordon, this is Gregg Garrison.  While we are visiting, I would like to look for a condominium to buy.  I don’t want to be responsible for the yard work or the snow removal especially in upstate New York in the Lake Region.  I’m also looking to open a small toy shop since I love to work with children and I carve puppets.”

Mr. Gordon was laughing, “Is there anything else you people want to cram into three days?”

Brian interjected, “Uncle Harley, this Brian, Ben’s brother, we’ll send smoke signals if we think of anything else.”

Everyone was laughing, Dad said, “Harley, I know we have unloaded on you and have asked you to a lot.  I’ll send you an e-mail summarizing the conversation.  If you encounter any problems, let me know.  Otherwise, we will see you about 7:00 next Sunday evening.”

This is T.J.

I’m a new person in this story.  I’m sitting here feeling like an outsider looking in.  I have no real clue about what has been happening with Ben and Knock except that they seem to have become very close in the short amount of time they have known each other.

I looked at everybody, “I’m going to take Ben, Grant, Brian and Ricky for a round of miniature golf.  I’ll treat them to dinner at the cheapest restaurant we can find.  Don’t worry; I’ll have the guys home before they turn into pumpkins.”

The five of us left in Ben’s Mother’s van.  We went to the best miniature golf course in Fremont.  Talk about cut throat.  No one was willing to be beaten.  When we finished, Brian had an ace on the last hole and when the final scores were totaled, Brian had won by one stroke.

Brian fell to knees and touched the ground with his head.  Everyone was standing laughing at his antics.  He didn’t miss a beat, “I was just demagnetizing the putting surface so it wouldn’t interfere with the play of others.”

Grant and Ben picked up a kicking and screaming Brian and carried him to the can the while Ricky and I returned to the clubs to the office.

When everyone was settled, I asked, Okay troops, where would you like to go for our meal?”

Ricky spoke up, “Why don’t we go to the Runza Shop?  We had a late big brunch and we can fill up our tanks there.”

We ordered our meals, which I paid for, and we had a lively conversation as we ate.  I almost fell out of my chair when Brian offered, “Why don’t we go to Granddad Jack’s house so that T.J. and Ricky will realize that I have not been exaggerating about the size Ben and Knock’s cocks?”

I started to laugh, “Brian, you could have used the term penises.”

Ricky spoke up, “Yeah and he could have said peckers or dicks too.  Let’s go, I am a doubting Thomas.  No one can be as big as Brian claims Ben and Grant are.”

When we got to the house, I took them to Dad’s and my bedroom.  “Okay men, it’s show and tell time.”

This is Ben.

I was so embarrassed.  I couldn’t believe my brother and cousins were doing this to Grant and me.  I looked at Grant and he seemed to be saying, “Let’s do it and then maybe we can go home.”

Grant and I dropped our dress slacks and were standing their in our briefs covering our supporters.  Brian was laughing, “More, More, More.”

Grant and I lowered our briefs and we were standing there in our supporters.  Ricky walked around us looking, “Nice buns guys.”

Grant looked at me and we dropped our supporters.  Both T.J. and Ricky gasped.  Brian was having a field day.  “Okay, you two non believers, you each owe me $100.00.”

Grant and I got dressed.  I looked at the three guys, “You owe us three hundred bucks each for the show tonight.”

Brian didn’t miss a beat, “I ain’t paying.  There were no fireworks.”

Ricky quickly agreed.  T.J. was shaking his head, “Guys let’s go have a drink before you go home.  I think I need a double scotch on the rocks.”

Brian was watching, “Yeah, me and Ricky need one of them too, but could we have a coke instead?  Benji would report me to the Dad authority if I had anything stronger.”

The five of us were sitting in the kitchen visiting, when Uncle Tommy came in, “My, my, this certainly is a motley crew.”

T.J. looked at his father, “Dad, why didn’t you tell me that we had two elephants in our midst?”

Uncle Tommy shook his head, “Doctor and patient visits are privileged information and can not be shared.  I suggest that you young people get home since it seems that you all have many things to do this week.  I’m going to bed and Dad is already in his room.”

I watched as Uncle Tommy left.  He was still a fine specimen of a man.  I wondered to my self if he and T.J. were enjoying each other.  I looked at T.J. and he had a funny look in his eyes.

I stood, “Okay guys, let’s hit the road.  T.J., thanks for a fun afternoon and embarrassing evening.  I guess we will be seeing you this week for your training sessions.  Come on guys, it’s getting late.”  We dropped Ricky off and then Grant after I made arrangements to pick him up for the doctor’s appointment in the morning.  Because Brian was with us, we didn’t do anymore than say goodnight.

Brian chewed me out as we going to our house, “Ben, remember I know what you and Grant have done so why didn’t you even kiss him?”

“Brian, think about it.  Grant and I have the capability to communicate even though we are physically separated.  We will be fine. Now go to bed.  I’ll wake you at 6:30.”

To be continued...

 Feedback always welcome:     

Editor’s Comment:

Hmmmm.  T.J. and Uncle Tommy?  Hmmmm some more.  Greg and Harley?  What will happen next?  Who will be the next to hear, “Drop those shorts, sports?”  And Brian winning by one stroke – oh that was at miniature golf?   My mistake.

Posted: 10/26/07