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

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

Chapter 26 

Home Sweet Home

I climbed in the front of the limo, much to Randolph’s dismay, “Mr. Waller, what would Mrs. Carr think if she were to find out that you were riding around in the front of the limo with the chauffeur?” 

“Look Randy, I get up in the morning and put my pants on, just like you.  Do you drive Mrs. Carr everywhere she goes?”

“Yes, she has a phobia against driving.  If she goes someplace local, I drive her, even if we don‘t take the limo.  The Carrs have been very good to my family and me.  Usually we wouldn’t take the limo to church, but she wanted to today, because she wanted to make a big show of your guys.  I don’t know how much you know about Mrs. Carr, but she’s an extremely talented lady.  She has even given organ concerts in Carnegie Hall, as well as other venues.”

Randolph continued, “I can understand why Mrs. Carr has latched onto Allie and Brahim, but I don’t understand what her connection with you is, and knowing her, there has to be one.”

I took a deep breath, “I work for Shell Oil in Houston, and just happened to have lunch with Mrs. Carr and her friend Mrs. Sanders.”

“So you’ve met Mrs. Carr’s sister and her friend?”

I nodded, “Yes, we’ve had several meals with them and that’s how Mrs. Carr became acquainted with Allie and Brahim.”

Randolph changed topics, “I need to go pack my traveling son’s bags, and you need to call Doctor Cochran and advise her of her pick up time.  I gather that Mrs. Carr has already made the reservations for Dieter.”

I placed the call to Doctor Cochran; there was no answer in her room so I left a voice message.  I decided to change clothes and Randolph was in the room packing our things.  “I’ll have to finish packing the guys’ things after they return from church.  I’ll come back and pack yours after you have an opportunity to change.”

“Randy, that’s so silly.  Why can’t I change while you’re here, and besides, we’re capable of packing our own things.  Randolph, may I ask you a personal question?”

He nodded yes, “I’ll try to answer.”

“It’s quite a unique situation that you and Dieter should be living in the house with Mrs. Carr.  There must me be more to the story than what is readily apparent.  Sit down and let’s get to the bottom of the story.”

“Darn it, Mr. Waller, do you have to know everything?  If you must know, when I was sixteen, I was walking home after work one evening, and Mrs. Carr accidentally hit me with her car.  She and Mr. Carr took me into their home, since I was an orphan, and I’ve lived here ever since.  It’s because of that accident that she is afraid to drive.  The Carr’s made sure I finished high school and I became their chauffeur as well as their butler.  The Carrs were very frugal people and Mrs. Carr still is, in most cases.”

I hugged Randy, “I think you'd better go get your passengers.  It’s almost time for church to be getting out and knowing Allie, he’ll be starving.”

As Randolph was leaving, he looked at me, “Ed, can we talk some more if there’s time after lunch?  I have reservations about letting Dieter go to Houston.”

“Randy, I’ll be glad to talk.  I’m sure Brahim will want to study, if there’s time.”

I went to the kitchen and asked if there was anything that I could do.  Eleanor laughed, “Mr. Waller, do you realize how easy A. Safi made it for us to fix lunch.  Usually when Mrs. Carr has guests in the house, we have to try to come up with something different.  We have everything under control, today, thanks to Allie.”

I was reading the Sunday paper when the front door opened.  Allie was complaining, “Mrs. Carr, the congregation freaked me out after Dieter and I sang for the first time this morning, when they stood with their hands folded like they were praying to keep us from going to purgatory because we were so bad.  I know we weren’t great, but we weren’t that bad, either.  You could have warned us that these people do these strange things, so they aren’t called pagans.”

Mrs. Carr was laughing, “Allie, I apologize.  Let’s discuss this over lunch.”

We went into the dining room, and Randolph helped Mrs. Carr get seated.  “Madam, I’ll inform the staff that you’re ready to be served.”

Allie jumped up, “Uncle Randy, sit down.  I’ll go tell the kitchen staff that we’re eagerly looking forward to our lunch meal.  Madam Carr, tell him to sit down, because we ain’t eating until he does.” 

Allie opened the door to the kitchen, “Everything smells great, Madam Carr is ready to be served.”

A young man and young woman appeared carrying a tureen and a tray with hot rolls and saltines.  The young man started to dish up bowls of steaming soup and the young lady was taking the drink orders.

When Allie was served his soup, he looked at the young man, “What is this and what’s in it?”

The young man frowned, “Mom, said that A. Safi requested anything that didn’t have pork in it, so we threw everything else in that we could find.  If you must know, it’s called New England clam chowder.  We even threw in my old sneakers to add flavor.   Now be quiet and eat, before the soup gets cold and freezes over.”

“Grandma Carr, I can’t believe you permit your help to talk to your guests like this.”

“I’m sorry, Allie, but it’s really hard to find good help, these days.”

I watched as Allie ate every drop of his soup.  He looked at the young guy, “Do you suppose that you could leave the shoe laces out the next time.  I almost choked on them.”

The young man looked at Mrs. Carr, “Ma’am, I won’t be working here anymore, if you’re going to be bringing the likes of that person, here.”

Allie stood, “That’s all right, whatever your name is, I ain’t never coming back to this neck of the woods.  Not only are we forced to perform, but we also have to endure badmouthing from the likes of you.  I guess you don’t have a name or you would have said, ‘Madam and gentleman, I’m King Kong and it is my pleasure to serve you today.’”

The young man was stopped in his tracks, so to speak, but he recovered nicely.  “Okay. Madam, my name is King Kong Miles Standish.  Me and my sister, Pricilla Alden regret that we will be unable to serve you after today.  I can’t believe that you would invite anyone who is so mean, to your residence.  All the kid has done is complain; would you tell him to eat, so the salad doesn’t get cold?”

Allie looked at his bowl, “I guess we’re supposed to take our empty bowls to kitchen, so we can get our own salads that are probably wilted.”

The young man shook his head no, “We poor peons will take care of it.  I’ll make sure that you get the most rotten salad.”

The two young people came in carrying trays with huge salads that had everything on them that you can imagine.  When the young man sat Allie’s salad in front him, he commented, “Mom would like for you to tell her what kind of salad dressing you would like next time, so she won’t have to spend so much time opening all of the bottles.”

Allie looked at his salad, “Sit down and help me eat this salad so your mother doesn’t get upset.”

The young man grabbed his throat, “I ain’t eating anything healthy like that, my digestive system would probably revolt.”

The young man pulled a chair up between Allie and Dieter and was talking to them.  After his sister made sure that we had everything we needed, she sat down and was talking to the two guys as well.   

Mrs. Carr looked at the young people.  “It’s so great to see Dieter interacting with young people again.  This is the first time, I can remember seeing him laugh since the accident.” 

“He and the twins used to be together all the time when they were growing up.  Nick and Micky attend the University of Connecticut and are sophomores.  They must have needed some clean clothes or money, so they came home for the weekend.”

After the meal, Allie and Dieter were helping clear the table and Mrs. Carr announced that she needed to go pack a few things.  Brahim looked at me, “Ed, I’m going to go study while it’s quiet, since I have a big test tomorrow that I’m nervous about.”

I went up to make sure everything was packed.  Randolph followed me, “Ed, can we talk for a few minutes before we need to leave for the airport?”

I sat down on the bed, “Of course.  Is it because Brahim and I are in a relationship?”

Randolph tensed, “Ed, you don’t understand.  It’s as if Dieter has been living in a catatonic state for three years.  You can not imagine how relieved I am that he has seemingly resurfaced.  I’m apprehensive that he might be attaching himself to Allie and you and Brahim.  Ed, I guess I just want Dieter to finally have a good life and I would like to be part of it.  I’m concerned that he’s going to totally space off the past, and I’ll lose any part of him.”

I hugged Randy for the second time of the day.  “Trust me, Randy, if anyone can help Dieter, it’s going to be Allie, and it ain’t going to cost you a cent.”

We picked up Doctor Cochran and we arrived at the airport then we checked our luggage at the outside check-in station, so Randolph wouldn’t have to wait for us.  I was so glad to see that Dieter hugged his Dad,  “Dad, don’t get into trouble while we’re gone.” 

We went to the ticket counter and the six of us were quickly checked in, because we were in the first class compartment.  A lot of good that did us, since all we got was a little more leg room.  It sure wasn’t like the good old days when we would have had champagne and real food.

Allie asked, “Doctor Cochran, did you leave your car at the airport, too?”

She shook her head no, “The twins dropped me off, since both of them needed cars over the weekend.  Hopefully one of them will remember to pick me up.  It’s amazing how forgetful nineteen year old guys can be.”

Allie asked the obvious question, “Don’t the guys go to school?”

“Yes, but it’s amazing how often they come home because they’re too cheap to pay to do laundry and they are constantly needing money.  I swear they raid the refrigerator and pantry every time they come home.  They’ll probably have me in the poorhouse before I reach fifty.”

Allie giggled, “Don’t worry, me and Dieter will get them squared away,  Where do they go to school and where do you live?”

“Tom goes to the University of Houston like your brother and Ted goes to Baylor University.  They have an apartment at the Pine Grove Apartments that is so small that they meet each other coming and going.”

Allie laughed, “We’ve been there and done that.  That’s why Dad bought the house on Mercy Circle.”

Doctor Cochran looked at me, “Which house on Mercy Circle did you buy?  They’re only four houses on the circle and I didn’t know any of them were for sale.”

Allie answered, “We bought Grandpa and Grandma Daniels house.  Dad paid for it last Tuesday night.  The Daniels moved into a duplex until they retire, and then they’re moving to Dallas to be close to their families.”

Allie looked at Mrs. Carr, “Grandma Carr, are we taking you to Mrs. Sanders and Mrs. Crabtree’s house?”

“Nope, Melanie and Madeline are supposed to be picking me up.  If they don’t show, I may have to sponge a ride with you people, though.”

When we arrived at the luggage carousel, we were met by two young men, who looked no more like twins, than David and Goliath, and Mrs. Sanders and Mrs. Crabtree.  Since Doctor Cochran was the only person who knew everyone, she made the introductions.

 

Doctor Cochran looked at her sons, “Guys, Mr. Waller and his friends live very near us, so you need to be very careful when you’re sunbathing to protect your no-tan line.  They bought the Daniels’ house.”

Tom, the bigger of the two guys laughed, “Mr. Waller, we’ll be over later to take any food that you don’t need.  We poor starving college students have to take advantage of any and all handouts.”

Allie looked at the people, “My Grandparents will be arriving tomorrow afternoon.  Mrs. Carr, why don’t you bring your sister and her friend for dinner, since you already know Dad’s parents.  It will be something simple, but you won’t go away starving.”

Doctor Cochran’s son, Ted responded, “We’ll be there.  Just make sure it’s not K.F.C. or anything like that.  We get tired of eating fast foods, since that’s all Mom knows how to cook.  What time is dinner?”

“We’ll eat at six thirty.  It’s going to have to be very informal, since we haven’t had time to properly furnish the house.  I’ll have Dieter make everything ahead of time, so I don‘t have to work so hard, when I get home from school.”

That caused Dieter to respond. “Allie, I don’t even know how to make toast.”

When we arrived at the house, we had the first big decision.  Allie asked, “Dieter do you want to sleep with me, or by yourself?  We could always have you sleep in the master bedroom, but it would just be for tonight.”

Dieter frowned, “Allie, I promise I won’t try to take advantage of you.  It would be the easiest solution if I were to sleep with you, if you don’t mind.  That would save a lot of work.”

As we were finishing dinner of tacos, Allie asked or rather directed, “Dad, call and ask Grandmother and Granddad when they will be arriving tomorrow, while Dieter and I take care of the dishes. ”

Dieter and Allie were in the kitchen laughing.  After I talked to my parents, and I informed them what Allie had asked, they said they would be arriving about five, and wanted to take us to dinner.

Allie threw up his hands, “We can’t allow them to take us to dinner, since I already invited the other people.  Dad, are you driving tomorrow?”

“Allie, I don’t know who’s driving tomorrow, since we went to the airport directly from the office on Friday.”

Our conversation was interrupted by the doorbell.  I went to see who was there.  Manny was standing there, “Hi Mr. Waller, Dad wanted me to tell you that he would be driving in the morning.”

I went to where Allie and Dieter were talking, “Allie, Mr. Gomez is going to drive in the morning.  Is that a problem?”

“Dad, that makes it so much better.  You can leave the keys to the SUV so Dieter can take me to the store, in case I forget something tonight.  Come on, we need to get to the store so I can get the things I need and we won’t have to worry about them tomorrow and I can marinade the meat overnight.”

The shopping trip to the supermarket was another eye opening experience, especially for Dieter.  He wasn’t kidding about not knowing anything about cooking.  He explained, “Allie, we’ve always lived at the Carr’s house and there has always been a cook there to fix our food and do the grocery shopping.  Usually Eleanor had one or two people to help her.  I’m not sure why Micky and Nick were helping today.”

When we checked out, Dieter was in for another surprise.  When he saw the bill, he gasped, “I had no idea how much it cost to eat.  Mr. Waller, can you afford to pay that much for food?”

I feigned being upset, “Whatever Allie wants, Allie gets.”

I swiped my debit card and put in the pin number and it cleared.  Dieter was confused, “You mean you didn’t even have to sign anything like people do at the restaurant?”

I tried to explain, “I used my debit card and the money is taken directly from my checking account.”

Dieter was really concerned, “Doesn’t that make it hard for you to keep track of how much money you have?”

I laughed, “Dieter, I can check my account on line.”

Dieter threw up his hands, “I guess I’ve really led a sheltered life.  I have a whole lot of learning to do.”

Allie giggled, “Don’t worry, dude.  By the time you go home next week, we’ll have you caught up to date.”

To be continued...

Editor's Notes:  Well, that was another interesting chapter.

It looks as if Dieter has a few things he needs to learn.  He and Allie seem to be getting along famously.  I am so glad he is coming around.  If there is anyone who could help him, Allie would be the one to do it.

I am hoping, for Ed's sake, that the fireworks, at Shell have at least slowed down. 

I wonder what we will see in the next chapter.  I can hardly wait.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 05/07/10