Pinochle
by: E Walk
(© 2007 by the Author)
Editor: Will B
 

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Chapter 71

 Don’t Cry For Me

This is Beau.

Monsieur Lafontaine looked at Timmy, “It’s a surprise.  As soon as everyone finishes eating we’ll go to the apartment and have dessert and make plans for tomorrow.”

Monsieur Lafontaine started to stand and Timmy went and helped him, and they lead us to the apartment that was above the restaurant.  There was a chair lift that carried people who needed help up the stairs.  Monsieur Lafontaine sat in the chair and had Timmy and Chase sit on his lap as they rode the chair up the stairs.

The rest of us walked up the stairs and I was thinking, ‘This man sure is complex.  I don’t understand what the connection is between him and Brian.  There has got to be something I don’t know about.’

This is Becca.

When we walked into the apartment, it was apparent that Monsieur Lafontaine was not exactly a peasant.  The apartment was very beautifully decorated and the furniture appeared to be valuable antiques.  As we entered, we were met by a butler, Reggie.

Monsieur Lafontaine nodded, “Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated while Reggie takes the young people to the game room.  We’ll have our dessert in the parlor after Reggie gets the young people settled.”

The younger people followed Timmy and Chase to the game room.  I noticed that Brian went to the back of the apartment and returned with his pastels and a pad.  I thought to myself, ‘What’s Brian up to now?’

We had been visiting for approximately fifteen minutes when Reggie announced, “Monsieur Lafontaine, dessert is being served in the parlor.  The young people have been summoned.”

I wondered, ‘What would Brian say if he knew he had been summoned?’

We walked into the parlor and it was a magnificent dining room with a beautiful crystal chandelier that sparkled.  As the young people walked into the room you could tell that they were awe-struck. 

Monsieur Lafontaine spoke, “Timmy, why don’t you, Vicky and Brian sit on this side of me?  Chase, you and J.R. can sit on this side of me.”

Timmy looked at Monsieur Lafontaine, “Grandpa Nappy, what about Chris and Angela and Uncle Ben and Uncle Grant?”

This is Brian.

I wanted to put my hand over Timmy’s mouth but I got a message loud and clear, ’Don’t even think about it.’

Grandpa Nappy looked at Timmy, “Timmy, they need to make sure the adults don’t misbehave.”

He was so serious and I looked at my parents, the Masons and Uncle Rod and Uncle Hank.  They were trying to suppress their laughter.  Timmy just nodded, “Oh, okay.”

When Reggie brought the dessert, it was on a cart with a chafing dish and a covered tray with a bottle of something on the side.  Reggie uncovered the chafing dish and then poured some liquid out of the bottle.  He took out a lighter of some sort and the flames started to cover the top of the dish as someone dimmed the lights.

Both Timmy and Chase were transfixed by what was happening.  Reggie uncovered the tray and poured some of the contents of the flaming dish on a piece of some sort of cake.  One of the servers who had been downstairs started serving the ladies first.  When everyone had been served except Timmy and Chase, Grandpa Nappy started, “Timmy and Chase, it looks as if they have run out.  Here, I’ll share mine with you,”

Timmy put up his hand, “That’s okay, Grandpa Nappy.  It probably tastes like the frog leg things anyway.”

Grandpa Nappy looked at me, ‘Brian, don’t say a word.  Timmy is even sharper than I had hoped.’

Reggie brought the two boys their desserts, “You better eat these fast or Master Brian will steal them.”

I sent Nappy a message, ‘You planned this to make me look like the fall guy didn‘t you?’

He ignored me and instead looked around the table and announced, “Here’s the agenda for tomorrow.  Vicky, Brian and I are going to take Chase and Timmy to Brighton since it is to be a warm day.”

“Jaime and Shamus will be accompanying Angela, Chris, J.R., Grant and Ben on a tour of the sights of London.  The rest of you have been invited to lunch at the Spanish embassy and you can plan the rest of your day.”

He looked at the assembled group, “We are scheduled to be at Mr. Johnson’s gallery at 6:45 in proper attire.  J.R. and Chris, I believe that Jaime has already taken care of your apparel.”

“I believe it is now time for our two youngest visitors to go get ready for bed.  Reggie, why don’t you make sure that they wash behind their ears?”

“Brian, why don’t you make sure that the others get home safely, and don’t stay out too late or I’ll be a real grouch in the morning.  Miss Vicky, we’ll pick you up at ten in the morning.”

It was as if Monsieur Lafontaine was dismissing everyone.  I looked at my watch and it was nearly 10:30.

Reggie escorted us to the awaiting limousines.  It turns out he was driving the one that was going to the Mason residence.  I climbed in after everyone else was in and shut the door.  We were whisked away and before I knew what was happening, we were at the Mason house.  I waited until everyone was out and I walked Vicky to the door.

I kissed her on the cheek, “Vicky, I’m sorry we aren’t going to have much time alone this trip.  I don’t think Monsieur Lafontaine is going to permit it.”

She shook her head at me, “Brian, don’t blame Uncle Nappy.  It’s your fault.  You keep attracting all of these people, and  that’s why you’re so interesting.” 

She reached up and kissed me on the lips, “Goodnight Brian, I’ll see you at ten o’clock in the morning.”

I returned to the limousine and crawled in beside Reggie, “Reggie, is Monsieur Lafontaine always like this?  Does he always take over peoples’ lives?”

Reggie was quiet for what seemed like a long time, “Master Brian, ever since he met you, Monsieur Lafontaine has been rejuvenated.  He has been waiting for you to arrive.  I have no idea how you captivated him, but he has seemed to come alive again.  Please don’t tell him that I told you, but he is dying from cancer.  He can be overbearing, but he is truly a remarkable man.”

We arrived at the apartment and I just sat down on the bottom step and started to cry.  Reggie sat down beside me and put his arm around me.  “Brian, go ahead and cry, but don’t let Nappy know or he will get agitated.  He is in his glory with you and Timmy here.  He’s probably in the apartment reading to the two young gentlemen waiting for your return.”

I wiped my eyes and we ascended the outside stairs to the apartment.  We stopped in the kitchen and Reggie put drops in my eyes to take away the redness caused by my having cried.  We walked into the living room and the two boys were curled up next to Nappy. 

He wasn’t reading to them, but he was telling them a story, “And the dragon, Brian, swooped down from the sky and grabbed the two urchins named Timmy and Chase and took them off to bed.”

Timmy looked up at me, “Oh hi, Daddy Brian.  Did you kiss Miss Vicky goodnight?  Why were you crying?”

Grandpa Nappy, “Timmy, you and Chase need to stop referring to Brian as your Dad, or people are going to think that Brian did something bad.  Timmy, you could refer to him as a brother and, Chase, you could say he’s your cousin.  I know that you love him, but he is too young to be your father.  Now why don’t you have Brian get you into bed so we can go build sandcastles tomorrow, and then I need to talk to Brian for just a minute?”

The boys had already brushed their teeth.  I made sure that they went to the bathroom before I hugged them and tucked them in.  After they were settled, I returned to where Grandpa Nappy was sitting.

I sat down beside him and he put his arm around me, “Brian, please don’t ever cry for me again.  I have lead a full life and I’m ninety plus years old.  That is why it was so important that you came along when you did.  I was never married and I have dedicated my life to trying to make things better for other people.”

“You and your parents have already done more than I ever did.  Please just humor me the next couple of days.  I want them to be special for you and Timmy.”

I reached up and kissed Grandpa Nappy on the lips, “Grandpa, I need to go to bed before I do start to cry again.”

As I was walking away, I heard, ‘How I wish he could have been my son.’

I turned around, ‘Grandpa, I am in a way.’

The next morning I was awakened by the sunlight shining in my face.  I put on some running clothes and went to the kitchen area.  Reggie was there with a young man.  They were starting to fix breakfast, “Reggie, is it safe for me to go for a run around here?  I need some exercise.”

Reggie looked at me, “Master Brian, wait until my son Jacques can get his running clothes on.  Monsieur Lafontaine would be very upset if you went by yourself.”

When Jacques returned, he was ready to run.  As we were descending the stairs, he looked at me, “Look, my name is Jack and I go to college in the states and am just home for the weekend.”

I looked at him, “Where do you go to college?”

He shrugged, “You’ve probably never heard of it.  It a school in Ithaca, New York called Cornell.” 

I stopped and started to giggle. “Oh, so you’re one of them Cornies.  I’ll tell you what.  When we get back from our run, I’ll call my brother and our friends and perhaps you can accompany them on their tour of London since three of them are Cornies, also.”

Jack looked at me, “You’re pulling my leg, aren’t you?”

I looked at him and laughed, “I’m not gay.”

Jack looked at me, “My Dad said you had to be special.  He has been looking forward to meeting you since Grandpa Nappy talks about you all the time.”

I looked at the young man, “Come on Jackie baby, let’s get with it or we’ll be to old to climb the stairs when we get back.”

After our run Jack was a little winded and when we went into the apartment Timmy was standing there, “Dad, why didn’t you wake me so I could go run, too?”

I leaned down and hugged him, “Timmy, I thought we agreed that you wouldn’t call me Dad anymore. This is Jack.  He goes to school where Uncle Ben, Uncle Grant and J.R. go to school.  Now let’s go get ready to go swimming after breakfast.  Where’s Chase?”

We walked into the bedroom and Chase was watching some show about drawing on the telly, as the British call it.

I took a quick shower and when I got out of the shower Grandpa Nappy was talking to the two young boys as I walked into the room.  He looked at me and shook his head, “Nice body, Brian.  Jack tells me he’s going to be joining Ben and the gang on their tour of London.  Pretty bossy aren’t you.”

I winked at him, “I’ve been taking lessons from my mentor.”

I had sent Ben and Grant a message to tell them about taking Jack with them on their tour.  ‘We’ll drop him off when we come to pick up Vicky at 10:00.’

Grant had sent back a message, ‘Jaime says that we’ll meet you at the Mason’s house at 10:00 since we need to pick up Angie.’ 

When we arrived at Brighton, Reggie handed Timmy, Chase and me each a backpack with a swim suit.  We went to the changing area and when we exited the men’s area Vicky was waiting for us with Grandpa Nappy.  Grandpa Nappy directed us to the spot where Reggie had put up a beach umbrella.  There was a lounge chair and a big blanket under the umbrella with several sand pails and shovels.

I knew Chase could swim but I had a sinking feeling, “Timmy, can you swim?”

Timmy frowned, “Yes, but not very well.  Don’t worry, I won’t go where the water is deep.”

I nodded and Vicky and I took the two boys to the water’s edge.  “Stay where we can see you.”

The two boys were very good about staying in view.  I watched as the boys obviously decided they were going to have a race.  Timmy called out, “Uncle Brian and Aunt Vicky come be our starting and ending point.  Aunt Vicky, you come stand beside us.  Uncle Brian, back up and we’ll tell you when to stop.”

I backed up and both of the boys yelled, “Stop!”

I watched as Timmy said something to Vicky and she raised her hand and started counting.  I heard her say three and the boys started to swim toward me.  So much for Timmy not being able to swim very well.  Both boys were gliding through the water toward me.  I felt two hands touching me where it hurt at the same time.

When they stood, I raised one of their arms and yelled out, “The winners.”

Reggie was standing in the water at the water’s edge with pant legs rolled up, “Will the winners please join us?  Lunch is being served under the umbrella.”

The two young guys dashed to the umbrella.  As Vicky and I were walking toward the umbrella, I giggled.  “So much for not being able to swim very well.  They’ll probably want to swim to the continent after lunch.”

Vicky started to laugh, “Brian, you’re a nut.”

When we got to umbrella, Reggie had set up a small table with a nice picnic lunch on it.  He had fixed Grandpa Nappy and the two boys each a plate of food.  Grandpa Nappy looked at us, “You two young people help yourselves.  After lunch Timmy, Chase and I are going to build a giant sandcastle while you two go do whatever it is that teenagers do.”

Vicky and I just walked and talked then we sat on a large rock and watched the people.  “I leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. Vicky, why don’t you plan to come to the United States for our Thanksgiving and I’ll try to come here and we can go skiing over the Christmas holidays.  I think we should start back to make sure that the boys aren't causing Monsieur Lafontaine to get too tired.”

She looked at me, “Brian, Monsieur Lafontaine is enjoying the two boys especially Timmy.  He’s old enough to know when he needs to rest and he has Mr. Reggie to help him.  It’s getting late so we’re going to need to start back to London if we’re going to be on time for your opening for the critics.”

When we approached the umbrella Timmy saw us, “Aunt Vicky and Uncle Brian, come see our castle.  It even has a moat to keep out teenagers.”

Timmy looked at Monsieur Lafontaine, “Grandpa, don’t let anyone knock down our sandcastle while Mr. Reggie takes us to the bathroom.”

Grandpa Nappy looked at us, “Vicky and Brian, thank you for giving me time to get to know the two boys better.  Brian, they both love you very much.  Brian, be good to both of them.  As soon as the two boys get back, we need to go.  I’ve suddenly realized how tired I am.”

I looked up and the boys were approaching with Reggie, I grabbed our backpacks and went to intercept them.  “Guys, we need to get changed so we can go back to London.”

I whispered to Reggie, “I don’t think Grandpa Nappy is feeling very well.” 

Reggie looked at his watch. “I think he was so busy with the boys that he forgot to take his pain medication.  I’ll take care of him while you all change your clothes.”

Timmy took my hand, “Uncle Brian, what’s wrong with Grandpa?”

I stooped down and hugged Timmy and Chase, “Guys, Grandpa Nappy is tired from being in the heat all day.  He’ll be fine once we get in the air conditioned limousine.”

Well Grandpa Nappy wasn’t the only tired one when we made the trip home.  He fell asleep as soon as we got started on the road.  He had Chase leaning against him on one side and Timmy on the other and they were asleep, too.  Vicky laid her head on my shoulder and I think she was tired too.

We stopped at the Masons’ house and I walked her to the door, “I’ll see you in a couple of hours.  I hope we don’t die of boredom tonight.”

To be continued... 

 Feedback always welcome:     

Editor’s comment: Somehow I think Chase and Timmy will be able to accept Grandpa Nappy’s last few days calmly.  They are both good young people, and I know that Brian, Vicky, Beau and Becca will be there for them.  Will B.

Darryl's Notes: I know I have said this before, but I really do love this story. It seems to get better and better with each new chapter.  I am very sad to know that Grandpa Nappy is ill.  I do wonder if Brian could do something to help him feel better. 

Timmy and Chase are both very wonderful young people. Timmy is especially gifted and will, I am sure, follow in Brian's footsteps. I am not sure just what will happen, but I am certain that Brian and Timmy are going to do something very important, and that they will help make the world a much better place.  Speaking of making the world a better place, I must say that the wonderful stories that Uncle Ed brings us, help a great deal to do just that.

I want to give a big thank you to each and every one of the people who took the time to write and let us know they were enjoying the stories. We really do appreciate hearing from you.  I am going to sit back and relax for a while so I will be ready for the next chapter.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 01/16/09