Taking Texas By Storm
by: E Walk
(© 2009 by the Author)
 

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Chapter 7 

I Can’t Stand and I Can’t Sit Down

Juan was the last to arrive.  He was complaining, “I don’t have time to be here.  It as if every office in the building wants something done now that they realize that we’re responding in a timely manner.  I had to wait for one of our electricians to return so he could answer the phone and write up the work order requests.”

I took my people including Tammy, much to her chagrin, to the Board Room which was adjacent to President Odom’s office.  When we arrived, the door was open, but I knocked anyway.  President Odom looked up, “Oh good, you’re finally here.  Have your people come in and be seated. We’ll be with you shortly.  The people assembled finished talking about something I knew nothing about.

When the discussion was finished, President Odom turned to us. “For the people who just arrived, I’d like to introduce our two visitors.  First we have Mr. Ralph Machesney from the office in England and Mr. Hoffmeier from the office in the Netherlands.  Ed, I believe you’ve met these two gentlemen before.  Ed, is the young man who has been wounded twice in the last week and still trying to get settled after resolving the problem in Algeria.  Ed get up here and take your assigned seat.”

I still had no idea what was happening.  I tried to stand but was having difficult getting out of the chair.  Oz was sitting next to me and he helped up and walked me to the seat next to President Odom.  President Odom leaned over to me and whispered, “Ed, are you okay?”

“I’m fine sir.  My leg is really hurting, though.”

President Odom stood, “Ladies and gentleman, I was planning to have some fun but I think we need to get Ed home.  Ed, I want to commend your staff for all the excellent work they did over the weekend.  We could actually go to the bathroom and not be afraid to breathe.  Steve, Juan and Myrabelle, the check in this morning went absolutely great, thanks to all of you.  I must tell you that I’ve been chastised because of the salaries I recommended for you on Friday, so I’ve adjusted them as the staff has recommended.  Ed, you can hand your people their new pay statements before Greg and Juan get you home, so you can rest before the board meeting tomorrow at ten.  We know that you have all been here since before six this morning.”

President Odom pointed to Oz, “You, young man, had a stroke of genius when you set up the Shell Pit Stop kiosk.  I hope they can make a go of it.  It is a refreshing change from the cafeteria.  It’s in the open, so people can observe if someone is shirking their duties like Ed as has been doing.  Now get out of here before Big Al and Little Al whip my backside tomorrow.”

Oz and Steve came to help me up and the assembled people at the table applauded as we departed to go to my office.  When we were seated in my office, Greg asked, “How much did they deduct from our pay?  Are we going to be able to survive?  I thought what was happening was too good to be true.”

I looked at him, “Greg, I have no idea what’s happening.  Let me see what President Odom gave me, so I know what to expect when I hand you your new pay rates.”

The first one was Oz’s and it showed that he would be receiving an increase of $5000.00 more a year.  The rest all had significant increases as well.  I tried as hard as I could to not show any emotion.  I folded the sheets and handed them to the people they concerned and the reaction was even more profound than on Friday.  Not only had President Odom increased their salaries, but he had written a personal note as well.

Oz was the first to speak, “I’d kiss you if I weren’t afraid that you would try to get in my pants.  I need to leave, so I can get the cleaning crews started since it’s four o’clock.  I want to give them instructions before I leave.”

Gregg and Juan escorted me to the lobby so we could leave as they had been told to do.  I was waiting while they went to get their things.  Myrabelle motioned to the side door, “Mr. Waller, we’ve been instructed that you were to leave by the side door until further notice.”

Greg and Juan pulled up to the side door and Juan jumped out.  “Ed, you ride in front.”

“Juan, I’d rather ride in back so I can put my leg on the seat.  It’s really starting to throb.”

When we arrived at the house, Allie was at the car immediately, “Dad, what happened; why did your clothes have blood on them?  It looks like you were shot again.”

I looked at Greg and Juan, “Guys, what time are we going in tomorrow.  It’s obvious that I’m not going to be able to drive for a while.”

Juan answered, “I’ll drive tomorrow, and we’ll pick you up at seven o’clock.  If we’re late, we can always stay a little later.”

As Allie was helping me to the house, he demanded to know what happened to me. 

“Allie, I’ll explain when everyone is here so I don’t have to repeat it.  I’d like to sit and rest for a while.  I’m exhausted.”

I could tell that Allie was hurt by my answer, but I was exhausted and in pain.  Allie left me sitting in the living room without saying a word.  I must have fallen asleep because Brahim was waking me.  “Ed, Allie wants to leave and go home.  What happened?” 

“Bra, help me up.  Where is he?”

“He’s in his bedroom crying.”

Bra helped me walk to Allie’s bedroom door, I knocked on the door.  Allie opened the door and when he saw me he asked, “Yes, Mr. Waller, what can I do for you since you think I’m not worth talking to?”

Taking about being struck in the chest by and huge icicle, that’s what Allie did.  “Allie, why did you say something like that?”

“Sir, when I asked you what happened you put me off saying that you wouldn’t tell me what happened until everyone else was here.  It was as if you didn’t care about me and the other people were more important than me.”

I don’t remember anything after that until I woke up in bed in my briefs.  I looked at the clock and it was eight o’clock and I realized I was hungry.  I reached to touch Brahim and he wasn’t there.  I had a panic attack thinking Bra and Allie might have actually left me.”

I struggled out of bed and was finally able to put some clothes on and limped toward the living room.  I heard voices.  There was one I recognized, but it couldn‘t be who it sounded like.  ‘It must be the pain pill I took, or perhaps I’m hallucinating.’

The voice was saying, “Little Al, your Dad went far beyond his duties today when he challenged the intruders.   You need to take care of him, so Big Al doesn't whip my backside when he gets here tomorrow.”

I heard a lady’s voice saying, “Brahim, I really wish you would come to the auditions tomorrow night, to audition for the role of Rigoletto.”

Bra responded, “Mrs. Odom, I don’t have a valid driver’s license yet, and I’m sure Ed will not be able to drive me for several days after what happened today.  I can’t ask the Daniels to be driving me around all the time.”

When I entered the living room, “Mrs. Odom was saying, I’ll pick you up and take you.”

Allie spoke, “I have a better idea.  Mr. and Mrs. Odom, why don’t you come for an authentic Algerian meal tomorrow night?  We’ll eat at six if Dad and Mr. Odom can get here on time.”

President Odom chuckled, “Little Al, you’re beginning to sound like your Granddad.   I’ll make sure your Dad is here in plenty of time.  Caroline can meet us here, since we don’t live too far away.”

Allie looked around and finally saw me, “Dad, come say hello to the  Odoms, and then I’ll fix you something to eat.”

Mr. Odom introduced me to his wife and she shook my hand.  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, young man.  I guess I need to thank you for several reasons.  First, for making sure that my husband wasn’t hurt; and secondly, for bringing these two wonderfully talented young men to Houston.”

Allie jumped up, “Come on, Dad, I’ll fix you something to eat.”

As  Allie was fixing my food, I felt I needed to apologize.  “Allie, I never meant to imply that you weren’t as important as everyone else.  I just didn’t want to have to tell the story two or three times, and I was physically and emotionally drained from everything that happened, today.”

“Dad, it is I who should be apologizing to you.  I guess I overreacted and was rather hard on you and said some things that caused you to pass out.”

I sighed, “Yep, it’s probably going to be a long time before I will be able to stand or sit down again.  I guess I’ll need to remain in bed on my stomach until something gets better.”

Allie giggled, “Brahim wouldn’t like that very much since he wouldn’t be able to play with his favorite toy.”

“That’s no way for a ten year old boy to talk.”

“Dad, what did I say?  I merely said that Bra would miss playing with your belly button.”

Our conversation was interrupted by Brahim and President Odom.  President Odom asked, “Ed, how are you planning to get to work tomorrow?  Do you want me to send a limo to pick you up at nine so you’re at the headquarters in time for the Board meeting?”
 

I shook my head no, “Juan is going to pick me up at seven.  He and Greg live close by and we’re going to carpool in order to save money.  I’m sure they won’t mind giving me a ride until I can drive again.  In fact, they’re very grateful for how generous you’ve been.”

“Ed, I’m thoroughly impressed with the staff that you surrounded yourself with.  You took some very unlikely prospects and welded them into a great team.  I’ll see you at ten in the morning if not before.”

After the Odoms had departed, the Daniels came into the kitchen, Allie looked at them, “Grandpa and Grandma Daniels, I hope you don’t mind me inviting the Odoms for dinner tomorrow night.”

Mrs. Daniels answered, “Heck no.  I’ve known Caroline for a long time and this is the first time she’s ever been to our house.  I’ve met Adam, but we never have had any reasons to become friendly with them.  They have a different circle of friends than we have.  Most of our friends are in academia.  Their social life is centered around the business world and their supporting the arts.  It’s always interesting to get to know people who look at things from a different perspective than you do.”

Mr. Daniels shook his finger at me, “Ed, you need to stop getting yourself shot.  I don’t know how much more excitement our systems can withstand.”

“Yeah Dad, listen to what Grandpa Daniels is saying.  I can hardly wait to see what Granddad and Grandmother have to say when they find out you were shot again.  Granddad will probably smack your butt so hard that you’ll never be able to sit down again.”

Allie wasn’t done scolding me, “Dad, President Odom said you had ten sutures this time.  Why did you even go back to work?”

“He was afraid to leave me here by myself, when he helped me change clothes.  That’s why he took me back to work with him; he had a meeting with some visiting dignitaries from Europe whom you met when we were there.”

Mrs. Daniels nodded, “I was wondering how the Odoms knew where you lived.”

After I finished eating, Allie did the dishes and excused himself to go take a shower.  The Daniels had gone to their bedroom and Brahim looked at me, “Ed, things are happening so fast.  I don’t know if I can go to school and do an opera.  I want to be able to spend time with you.”

“Bra, go tomorrow night and do your best.  There may be some other person better fitted for the role of Rigoletto.  Let’s worry about what’s going to happen after that.  I need to take another pain pill, My leg is really beginning to hurt again.”

It didn’t take long for the effects of the pain pill to affect me.  I hardly had time to go the bathroom and brush my teeth before I was beginning to feel woozy again.  Fortunately, Bra had been taking a shower while I was in the bathroom and helped me get back to the bedroom.

We were awakened by Allie bringing us coffee.  I went to get out of bed and my leg was really stiff.  “Bra, help me up.”

I went to the bathroom and asked Brahim to get some plastic wrap so I could place it around my leg in order for me to take a shower.  I really needed to shampoo my hair.  Brahim got in the shower with me and made sure that all my body parts were clean.

I felt so helpless because he even had to help me put my slacks on.  I decided that I needed to wear dress clothes since I was to attend the Board meeting.”

When I got to the kitchen where Allie was eating, he looked at me, “Dad, you’re dressed as if you’re going to someone’s funeral.  Let me get your breakfast.”

“Allie, I don’t have time to eat.  Mr. Gomez is picking me up at seven.  I’ll grab a roll at the Shell Pit Stop when I get to work.  I promise, I’ll try not to get shot today.”

“Dad, you’d better not get shot again.  My nerves can’t handle much more.”

Bra escorted me to the door and was standing with me as we waited for Juan and Greg.  He walked with me down the sidewalk to make sure I got to the car.  He had met both gentlemen before, so there was no need for any introductions.

As we were pulling away from the house, Greg turned to me, “Ed, you found yourself one handsome dude in Brahim.  He must turn a lot of people’s eyes.”

I snickered, “Greg, don’t tell me your turning queer like your brother?”

Greg grinned, “Not hardly, but I know a good looking guy when I see one.  You complement each other.  I’m surprised that you haven’t been hit on at work by some the lecherous men that work there.  Why do you think Dad had the condom machines installed?  He made a ton of money from them.  I hear you’ve authorized taking them out.  You’re probably going to catch a lot of flak over that.”

Juan laughed, “Let’s hope someone doesn’t try to shoot you again because the condom machines have been removed.”

Greg turned around again, “Ed, Curtis has decided that Allie is some kind of saint.  Curtis says Allie explains things so he can understand them.  I almost passed out last evening when Curtis was actually reading a book.  He came to me a couple of times and asked me to help with some words.  Kim told me that he came home and actually studied his spelling words.”

Juan added, “All Manny wanted to talk about last night was Allie.  He really would like for Allie to be able to spend a night this weekend so he has someone his own age to talk to.”

I decided to change the subject, “Greg, I believe your other son’s name is Connor.  I take it he is a teenager, after the conversation about him talking to his girl friend and doing you know what.”

Greg chuckled, “Yep, he's fourteen and all he thinks about is his pecker.  It would be nice if Allie could instill some interest in education in his life, as well.”

“Juan, I believe you or Joe said you had two boys.  How old is the other son?”

“Ramon is five.  He’s physically handicapped.  He needs an operation.  Now that I’m earning decent money and have insurance coverage, I think we may be able to correct the problem.  In fact, Leanne is taking him to an orthopedic specialist today.”

That peaked my interest, “What exactly is his problem?”

“He fell when he was younger and broke a leg.  It didn’t mend properly and consequently, he has one leg that is shorter than the other.”

Our conversation was ended because we were parking in the parking garage in my parking space.  I guess I forgot to tell them that I was given my own parking space with my name on it.  As we were walking to the entrance, I was thinking, ‘Surely today can’t be like yesterday, can it?’ 

To be continued...

Editor's Notes:  I have found that many times when someone says that something can't possibly be like something else, that is exactly what happens.  Therefore, I think someone should tell Ed not to do that.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher 

Posted: 12/18/09