Love Refound
by: E Walk
(© 2008 by the Author)
 

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

Chapter 50

Benji Saves The Day

We went into the living room as Mrs. McBride and the Millers were being escorted in, by Benji.  They were followed by Jack Kennedy and Logan.  Jack had a lap top with him and asked if he could plug it into a television.  I hooked it up to the large screen television so everyone could see.  Benji was the only one of the boys who stayed around to watch what Jack was going to say.  He was standing beside Mrs. McBride.”

Jack started, “I apologize for asking you to be here tonight, but I want to make sure that I’m doing what you want.  I’ve never designed a library or a student center before.”

He pushed a button, “This is what I came up with for the McBride Library.  The exterior of the front would be red brick with pillars in front of the entrance.  The wall of the two sides and back side would be thermal pane glass so they could easily be removed if you should decide to expand at a later date.”

Jack flipped the scene, “This is what I envision for the office area.  There would be one central checkout area on the first floor, next to the exit.  There would be scanners to check out the people leaving, to make sure they weren’t leaving with any books that hadn‘t been checked out.”

To say the least, we were all impressed.  Mrs. McBride made some suggestions for some small modifications and Jack was able to make them on the computer.

When he showed us the plans for the Ben Miller Student Union Building everyone was wowed by his proposals,

The plans for the Nixon Village residence were not so well received.  Benji had problems with the plan.  “Mr. Kennedy, what if there are boys and girls living in each of the buildings, shouldn’t they have their own bathrooms so they wouldn’t have to let other people see them?”

Jack shrugged his shoulders, “Benji, I guess I never thought about the houses being lived in by both boys and girls.  I guess I’ll need to do some more work on the plans for the village.”

The front door burst open and an unpleasant scene started to unfold.

Mr. Rash Lumbaugh burst into the room, brandishing a gun.  You people are going to pay for what you did to me.  You are all going to be dead before I’m done.  Mr. Hot Shot Nigger, you’re goin’ to be the first to go.”

Everyone was immobilized by the weapon, except for Benji. He picked up a glass paperweight that was on the table next to where he was standing, and threw it at the man and hit him in the neck so the Lumbaugh person staggered backward and fired at the ceiling.  Cole and Logan quickly had the man immobilized, and the gun flew out of his hands.  Jack went and disarmed the gun.

Mr. Nixon called the Sheriff‘s office, and there were two Sheriff’s cruisers in front of the house almost immediately.

When the Sheriff and his deputies arrived, Mr. Lumbaugh yelled, “I was just doing your job for you.  These people are nothing but a bunch heathens who are dealing in kiddie porn.”

The Sheriff punched Mr. Lumbaugh in the back with a night stick.  “Sir, I know these people, and they aren’t dealing in kiddie porn.  Let’s face it, you prick, you’re the person who was caught with his pants down.  I hope you rot in jail, or better yet, perhaps you’ll get your just reward.”

I was glad that everyone decided they needed to leave after the Sheriffs escorted Mr. Lumbaugh away, because we were all more than just a little shaken by what had happened.  Cole and I took the four boys to get them ready for bed.  When we had the boys in bed, Cole and I fell into bed, because we were emotionally drained.

The next morning, we were awakened by Benji, “Dads, it's seven o’clock.  Aren’t you going to work today?”

I grabbed Benji, “Son, what you did last night was not a good thing to do.”

“Daddy, I had to do something to keep that man from shooting Dad Cole, and anyone else.  That man is evil.”

Cole entered the conversation, “But Benji, you could have been hurt.”

“But Dad, I wasn’t hurt, and the man is in jail.  Now get up because the grandparents are getting ready to leave.  They said they can’t take any more of this rootin’ tootin' shootin’ stuff.”

I hugged Benji, “We’ll be there, shortly.”

After Benji had gone, I hugged Cole, “This is all your fault, you know.“

Cole smirked, “Sure, blame it on a poor little black boy.”

I grabbed Cole’s penis, “I don’t think little and boy exactly fit.  I’m positive that poor would also be inaccurate as well.  I’m colorblind,  doncha’ know.  I guess we’d better get our butts in gear.”

When we were going down the steps, my Dad was leaving with the three oldest boys to take them to the bus stop.  Mikey was watching television.

As Cole and I were eating, my Mother commented, “Guys, we’re almost afraid to leave for fear of what might happen next.”

Dad Summers laughed, “It’s a good thing that you have Benji around to protect you two.  I’m glad that someone in this houses uses his head.  You need to get Benji involved in sports.  With an arm like that, there is no way that he couldn’t be a winner.”

When Dad returned from delivering the boys to the bus, he was laughing.  “Benji told me to remind the two of you to try and stay out of trouble?  He wants to know what you’re going to do about the bullet hole in the ceiling.”

I started to laugh, “I think we need to put Benji on a tranquilizer to slow his mind down.”

Mom Summers chuckled, “It would probably have a reverse reaction on Benji.”

I hugged the four parents and wished them a safe trip home, since I needed to get going.  I collected Mikey and dropped him off.  When I arrived at the campus, Logan’s crews were already at work.  Logan waved at me said something, but I couldn’t hear what he was saying.”

Karen handed me two phone messages and I went to take care of them.  Karen knocked, “Dr. C., Mrs. McBride and Mr. and Mrs. Miller are here to see you.”

I went to greet them and invited them into the office.  Karen arrived with four mugs of coffee.  When they were seated, I asked, “Is this a social or business meeting?”

Mrs. McBride grinned, “A little of both.  First, I’m curious as to why you chose Jack to design the new facilities and Logan’s company to do the construction.”

The reason we chose them was because they did the additions to Summerhill and they also designed and built this facility.  Is there a problem?”

Mrs. McBride shook her head no, “No, I’m totally impressed by the two gentlemen and what they’re doing.  I was just curious, since I had never heard of either of them before.  I hope you talked to Benjamin and told him that he could have been hurt by what he did last night.”

“Grandma McBride, I tried, but he reminded me that he wasn’t about to let his Dad Cole or anyone else get shot.”

Dr. Miller laughed, “He’s one very sharp young man.  He reacted while the rest sat there with our thumbs up our you know whats.  We wanted to talk to you about something, when the boys weren’t around.  We would like to take the four boys to Disney World for a week before we go back to Arizona.  Would you have a problem with that?”

I shrugged my shoulders.  “I have no problem with it, but are you sure that you’re up to keeping up with four very active boys.  You would need to check with them.  When would you like to do it?”

“Benji said that their last day of school was Friday, so we were thinking this weekend.”

I shook my head no, “It would need to be on Sunday, at the earliest, since Benji is scheduled to be in Trent Nixon’s wedding on Saturday.  Mrs. McBride, would you be accompanying The Millers and the boys?”

“Doug, I’d like very much to go, but it would depend on what kind of arrangements Bruce and Enid can make.”

I punched the intercom, “Karen, please call Patty and tell her that Grandma McBride and Doctor and Mrs. Miller will be joining us for dinner.  They have some business they need to discuss with the boys.”

Karen responded, “I’ll take care of it, Dr. C.”

Doctor Miller stood, “Doug, thanks for being so accommodating.  It’s just that we had no grandsons, and now we have four.  We appreciate you giving us the opportunity to get to know them.”

I shook his hand, “You might be sorry.”

I hugged Grandma McBride and Mrs. Miller and escorted them to the door.  Logan was sitting there waiting. 

“Logan, is there another problem with the building inspector?

Logan shook his head no, “Doug, I’d like to speak with you, if you have a minute.”

“Of course, come in.”

After Logan was seated, he got right to the point, “Doug, I’m rather strapped for cash.  Is there any way you could arrange it so I can receive partial payments so  can pay my workers each week?  I could get a loan from the bank, but that would just add to the costs?”

“Logan, let me check.  I don’t know much about the finances of the college, so let me check on that. I’ll do so this afternoon and get back to you.”

“Doug, it sure would make things a heck of a lot easier.”

Logan changed topics. “Doug, I was so scared last night that I soiled my pants.  I’m amazed at how your son had the instinct to react as he did.  By the way, I sent one of my people to go repair the bullet hole in the ceiling.”

After Logan left, I decided to go talk to Clark.  “Karen, I need to check with Clark about  something.  Would you please call Mr. Oliver, the Comptroller, and ask him to meet with me 1:30?”

Karen laughed, “That’s funny you should ask me to do that, because Mr. Oliver called and wants to talk to you.  I’ll take care of it.”

I went to find Clark and he was talking to a young man and his family.

When he saw me, he introduced me.  “Mr. and Mrs. Cooper and Tim, this is our Interim President, Dr. Doug Christiansen.  He’ll be able to answer your questions better than I can.”

Tim was very direct, “Dr. Christiansen, I screwed up and played around in high school.  I was so sure that I was going to be able to get a scholarship to play college basketball that I didn’t apply myself.  I was wrong.  My question to you, sir, is, is Harwood going to be having any sports teams?”

“Tim, at the present time we have no facilities to house sports teams.  Hopefully, that will change in two years.  We are doing some major construction as you saw.  A benefactor has provided the funds to built a field house.  To be honest with you, I’m so new to the job that I haven’t  time to give much thought to this area.  Until Monday, I had Clark’s job when I was booted upstairs.  I only became the Interim President yesterday.  The Board of Trustees will be meeting on Tuesday to name a new president.”

Mr. Cooper interrupted, “Look, Christiansen, the Board has already decided that you're going be the new president.”

I guess I was overwhelmed by what I heard because Tim said, “Dr. Christiansen, you might want to close your mouth before you swallow a fly.”

Mr. Cooper added, “Doug, Rob Nixon called this morning and told us what happened at your house last night.  Anyone’s son who could take out a would be assassin with a paper weight needs to be president.  Just so you know, I’m on the Board of Trustees as is Collie’s Father.”

Clark joined the attack brigade, “Look boss, I’ll coach the basketball team and we can play the games at my parents' gym.  Since Tim almost has the biggest dick in town, I’ll have a fun time watching it swing.  Don’t worry.  I’ll make sure the other team members have big dicks as well.”

I was gasping, “Clark, why are you talking like that when there is a lady, a prospective student and a member of the Board of Trustees present?”

Tim giggled, “Gees, Uncle Clark, I thought I had the biggest prick in town.  Who has me beaten?”

I held my breath waiting to hear Clark’s response.  He answered. “I’m not at liberty to divulge that information.  Dr. C., there aren’t any ladies present.  Terri’s my sister.”

Mr. Cooper stood, “Doug, we’re enrolling Tim.  I’ll talk with you more on Tuesday.  I need to get back to work, so I can make enough money to afford for Tim to be able to attend Harwood.”

I looked at Clark, “I need to talk to you when you’re free.”

As I was walking back to my office, my mind was in a whirl.  When I entered the office, Karen looked up at me, “Dr. Christiansen, you look upset.  Is something wrong?”

I shook my head, “Karen, the world is moving too fast.  I think I’ve lost control.  It’s as if everyone wants everything done right now.  I’m only one person.  I can only do so much and we do have four sons we need to take care of.”

Karen nodded. “Sir, I agree with you.  Your plate is rather full, right now.  Why don’t you let Benji help you get it under control?”

Karen and I were laughing.

The End.

Author’s Note:  As Karen and Doug are standing there laughing, Love Refound is ending.  I want to thank the people who have read this story.  The start turned some people away, but the story line totally changed directions as it progressed.  It has been a fun story to write.  For the people who have been reading, don’t despair.  The story will continue with a sequel, Benji In Control.

Editor's Notes:  That title makes sense.  He has pretty much been in control ever since he could walk.  He's a pretty neat young man. I can hardly wait for the new story.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 11/27/09