Tip & Ty
by: E Walk

(Copyright 2007 by the Author)
 

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Chapter 10

 Beau Versus Zack

This is Mark reporting from Fremont.

I was amazed at the poise Zack was displaying.  I was beginning to wonder what I had gotten myself into by going to work for his family.

We walked through the buffet line, which had an extensive assortment of food.  We looked around and went to sit down with Grandpa and Grandma Leavitt and Uncle David and Uncle Boris.

We had just gotten seated when we were joined by my parents and my Grandmother McDowell.

When I explained my new job, I thought my parents were going to go ballistic, until they heard how much money I was being paid.  When I explained who Zack’s brothers were, everything seemed to be fine.

We were visiting when Beau blew the whistle and announced, “Swim time for anyone over the age of 21.”

Bless his heart, Uncle David challenged, “Let’s go cool off.”

As Uncle David, Uncle Boris, Zack and I were walking to the pool, Uncle David whispered, “Zack, you are doing a great job.  Don’t let these people get under your skin.  I am positive that you already have some admirers here.”

The four of us dove into the pool and it became apparent that Zack wasn’t your average swimmer.  He moved through the water like he was gliding.

I wasn’t the only person who noticed.  Beau blew his whistle three times.  He announced in his own inevitable style, “Ladies and Gentlemen, we are about to have the race of the century.  Swimming in lane one is Dr. Jeff Wilson, in lane two will be Doctor Kenny Hendrix.  I will be in lane three.”

Beau continued, “In lane four is the person who dared to tell my Grandmother no, Zack Jackson.  Spencer Knight will be swimming in lane five and in lane six is our newest Fremont swimming star, Mr. Chip Weaver.”

Beau looked around, “In case you hadn’t noticed, we are lined up by age.  If I were a betting man, I would put my money on the two young men in lanes five and six.  Now we need six lane judges on each end of the pool to make sure that no one cheats.”

Beau turned to the swimmers, “Do you have any questions?”

Zack spoke up, “I have a big question.  You never told us what we were supposed to do.  I would suggest that we swim a lap of each stroke starting in alphabetical order.  In case you don’t know how to alphabetize, that would be back, breast, butterfly and freestyle.”

Beau was almost at a loss for words, but he regained his composure. You all heard what the alien suggested; let’s clean his pool with his body.  Grams, would you please be the starter.”

The six guys jumped into the pool.  When Mrs. Tillison fired the gun, the six guys made a clean start and Zack and Spencer began to pull away.  When they started to swim the breast stroke lap, Chip started to gain ground. When it came to the butterfly lap, it became apparent that Zack was the best conditioned swimmer.

When Zack climbed out of the pool after the free style lap, He was a half of a lap in front of Spencer and Chip.  Beau, Kenny and Jeff were not accustomed to this type of defeat.

When everyone was out of the pool, Spencer spoke up, “I just realized who you are Zack.  If I am not mistaken, I have swum against you two or three times.  You were swimming for the University of Kansas.  You were known as Z. T. Jackson.”

Zack was unfazed, “Yep, and I must say you gave me a battle, especially in the free style events.”

Mrs. Tillison was standing there listening as Spencer continued to push, “Well why you didn’t take the Olympic Team Committee’s offer to join the team for the Beijing Olympics?”

“Spencer, I couldn’t justify giving up two years of my life to swim in the Olympics.  I like who I am and I don’t need my profile and my family history spread across the media.”

Zack came over to me and whispered please, “Mark, let’s go, I have already made a fool of myself and I am so embarrassed.”

I reluctantly stood and Zack and I started toward the gate.  We stopped to say goodbye to the bride and groom.  Beau was on the phone.  Zack said, “Dr. Becca Benson, thank you very much for a very interesting afternoon.  I must say that this was a very unique experience.  We need to be going.”

Beau hung up, “And where do you think you are going?  You haven’t been excused yet.”

Zack immediately responded, “Dr. Beau Benson, you are not our master and we are not your servants?”

“Zack and Mark, I’m sorry.  Would you please stay?  I have some people I would like you to meet.  I am expecting an important phone call.  I really would appreciate it if you would at least stay until I get it.”

Beau ushered us to a group of people who were visiting at a table.  Beau announced, “These people are very special to me.  First, this good looking gentleman with blue eyes and is my banker, Mr. Randy Carmichael, and next to him is Uncle Billy Bob Archer from San Francisco.  They alternate taking trips between here and San Francisco.”

We shook hands with them and Beau moved to another couple who were a little older.  This is Darryl, The Radio Rancher, and his long time partner Tom. Radio Rancher is the person that helps E Walk make us look so good.

Zack and I shook hands with them and Zack turned to Beau, “Beau, I don’t think Mark and I should be called a couple.  We have known each all of about 20 hours.  Mark is going to be working for my Uncle and I am just Mark’s chauffer.”

Beau's phone rang and he excused himself, “Why don’t you gentlemen visit while I take this call.  Hi Mr. Everett … What did you find out? … Oh really … Very interesting … And what … So you think he would be a great asset in our new business when he gets his degree in May?  … Thanks Mr. Everett, just send me the charges … Your people have done a fantastic job as always.”

Zack leaned over to me, “What was that all about?”

I’m turning this over to Zack.  He got us into this mess,

Yeah thanks Mark.

When Beau got off the phone, he pointed his finger at me, “Okay, Mr. Zachary Theodore Jackson, I would appreciate it if you would meet with Becca and me before you and Mark head back to Kansas City tomorrow.  You are going to be a busy person tomorrow, since you will be singing at two church services and loading up Mark’s belongings.”

I hadn’t realized it, but Mark told me later that most of the attendees at the reception were watching Beau and me.

I put up my hand, “First Dr. Benson, your Grandmother only mandated that I sing at the 8:30 service, which I still have not agreed to do.  If it is any of your business, I only came to Fremont to help Mark get the remainder of his belongings so he can go to work for my foster brother and his family.  Now is there anything else you don’t understand?”

Beau put up the peace sign, “Zack, let’s start over again.  I would really like for us to be friends.  I think it might be in our best interest to do so.”

Beau turned to Clay, who was standing there listening, “Clay, would you please go get Grams?”

Clay returned with Mr. Tillison.  Beau helped her into a chair, “Grams, I have some interesting information you might like to hear.  I am going to play the Yes – No Game with Zack.  Zack, all you are requested to do is answer the questions honestly.  Any questions you choose not to answer will be counted against you.”

I looked at Mark; he shrugged his shoulders to indicate that he didn’t know what was happening.

Beau took a microphone and announced, “Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to introduce Mr. Zachary Theodore Jackson.  So Zack, I take it that perhaps you were named after three presidents?”

I couldn’t believe this question, “I guess so Beau, my ancestors worked on President Andrew Jackson's estate, The Hermitage.  Later, one of my great grandfathers served under President Zackary Taylor when they were in the army; another grandfather served under President Theodore Roosevelt in the Rough Riders.  What does this have to do with anything anyway?”

Beau laughed, “Nothing really, but it was a good history lesson.  Oh by the way, that certainly wasn’t a yes or no answer.  Now question number two:  I have information that says you were raised by your Grandmother and two foster brothers since you were seven years old.  Is that correct?”

I shook my head but answered, “Yes, but why should you care?”

“Remember Zack, all you have to say is yes and no and remember I’m the one who is asking the questions.  Now question three:  Your foster brother, Tipton Washington attended Creighton University and played basketball until he hurt his knee.  He is now an obstetrician in the Kansas City area; am I correct?”

I was beginning to get really agitated, but Mark put his hand on my back.  I calmly answered, “Yes.”

Beau wasn’t finished, “Your other foster brother, Tyler Jefferson, attended the University of Lincoln at Nebraska and played football.  He went on to become one of the premier players in the National Football League; and he just suddenly resigned and got a divorce.  New he is living at Tip’s condominium with you and his four children.  Is that correct?”

“Dr. Benson, I do not understand what your questions have to do with me.  But if it is any of your business, Uncle Ty and his four beautiful children have moved in with Dad Tip and me and that’s why I am even here.  Mark has been hired to be the children’s Nano and I came along as his chauffeur.  We thought we might get the remainder of Mark’s belonging back to Kansas City in one trip if I borrowed Dad Tip’s van.”

Beau was laughing, “Mr. Jackson, this was supposed to be a simple yes or no game.  Now I have a several final questions and please do not interrupt.”

“My information tells me that you are going to be graduating from the University of Kansas with a Master’s Degree in Business Management.  The report also says that you are taking two courses that will count to your doctorate degree and teaching two undergraduate courses under the guise of being a teaching assistant.  Is that information correct?”

I shrugged my shoulders, “Yes.”

Beau wasn’t finished.  “I’m glad that you are finally following the rules.”  He looked at Becca and winked, “Okay Mr. Jackson, I heard you had a double major as an undergraduate student and maintained a perfect grade point average.  I understand that you majored in Accounting and Best Business Practices and still found time to swim competitively.  I think that is a rather an amazing accomplishment.”

I looked at Beau, “At least that wasn’t a question.  Beau, everything you said is true, but why are we discussing my personal life in front of all these people?  This is supposed to be a celebration of your beautiful wife’s and your marriage?”

Beau didn’t even blink, “Zack, you are making this celebration even more special.  Now I have some questions and information.”

I so wanted to escape.  I felt like I was being questioned by a Gestapo tribunal of one.

Beau didn’t quit, “Zack, my information tells me that your masters’ dissertation was on ‘Ethical Practices in Today’s Business Environment’ and it has been sent to several notable university publishing houses.  I am pleased to inform you that your dissertation is being published by the University of Chicago Press.  The notification arrived on Friday when you were gone.  It is waiting for you when you get back to school.”

I must have looked like a complete fool, but I just collapsed into a heap.   When I revived, this Lash person was attending to me.  There was a young stud standing there with a stethoscope.  He smiled at me, “I think you will survive, but I’m not sure about Mark.  Lash, please go get Mark before we have another casualty.”

I looked at the Doctor, “Thank you Doctor, but Beau threw a lot of information at me, some of which even I did not know.  I really would like to know how he could find so much out about me so fast.”

The young man sat down beside me, “Zack, I am one of Beau’s foster brothers.  Beau is a very strong willed individual, but he is also extremely intelligent and reads people extremely well.  I don’t know why, but it is obvious that he has developed a deep respect for you.”

“I was listening to the dialog that was going on between you and him; you were holding your own until he told what was happening with your dissertation.  That’s the way Beau is; he always has a surprise in his bag of tricks.  Now I have a question for you.  You and your grandmother attended almost all of the Creighton home basketball games when your foster brother/Dad was playing, right?”

I threw up my hands, “Is this part two of the inquisition or what?”

“Zack, please believe me, I have no idea what Beau has on his mind.  The reason I asked was that during my freshman year, when Tip was still playing basketball, I watched you and your Grandmother visiting with everyone around you at the games.  Quite frankly, I was jealous.”

“Doctor Wilson, why in the world would you be jealous of my Grandmother and me?  I was just a high school student and my Grandmother was an older lady.”

“Zack, I think it was because you both seemed so full of love and I felt so alone.  You always had people around you and I was sitting by myself.  I would listen to you and Grandma Maggie telling the referees that they were full of garbage.”

I sat up and hugged Tommy, “Thanks Doctor Wilson.  I’ll be fine.  You know you could have come and joined us and we would have been delighted to be your friends.” 

Before I could release Tommy from my arms, Lash arrived with Mark.  Lash started to laugh, “I leave for two minutes and you two are making love.  Wait until I tell T.J.  Mr. Mark, would you please hold the patient still while I grab some of his blood?  Make sure he doesn’t pass out again.”

The blood sample was drawn and I was drinking some orange juice that had miraculously appeared.  Mark was sitting beside me on the sofa when Beau and Becca arrived.

Becca didn’t waste any time, “Guys, I’m in charge.  My husband was out of control.  Why don’t you two guys go get some rest and we’ll meet for breakfast after the first church service and we'll explain what Beau was working toward.  Zack, just be the same person that you have always been and you will be fine.”

I looked at Beau, “Beau, how in the world did you find out all of the information about me and my family, especially some things that I didn’t even know?”

“Easy, my dear Watson, Mr. Everett and his investigators found out all of that information between the times I was speaking on the phone the first time and when I received the second phone call.  Obviously you and your family have not tried to hide anything.” Beau laughed.

Becca interrupted, “We need to get back to our guests.  You guys can duck out the front and we’ll tell everyone that Zack is fine and went to get some rest since it has been a long day already.”

Lash laughed, “Yeah, did you hear the key word that Becca said? Rest.”

Mark looked at me and started to laugh, “Come on boss’s brother, let’s bust out of this joint.”

Mark and I exited by the front door and went to his Grandparents’ house.  Mark grabbed two beers and we were sitting on the floor in the family room watching television when we were joined by Mark’s younger brothers, Luke and John.

Luke went to the bar and retrieved two beers.  When he handed one to John, I thought Mark was going to jump up and grab it.  John looked at Mark, “Chill Mark, I’m permitted to have a beer or two, as long as I’m not driving.  After all I am 19.”

Luke and John sat on the floor so their bodies were touching.  Mark looked at them, “Isn’t that being a little intimate, guys?”

John looked up, “Do you have a problem with us loving each other?  It appears that you finally found someone that you can love and who will take care of you.  So pull in your horns, Luke and I have been having sex since I turned sixteen.  I guess we are both bisexual, because we both enjoy having sex with the opposite sex too.”

I almost dropped my beer.  I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, “Guys, I have one question for you.  Do you have protected sex when you are with someone else?”

Luke answered, “Of course, but it’s not the same.”

Mark looked really upset but any further conversation was interrupted by the arrival of the four senior Leavitts, Mrs. Dowell, Matt and his wife and Uncle David and Uncle Boris.

Grandmother Leavitt asked, “What would you gentlemen like for the evening meal?”

I shook my head, “Ma’am, there was enough food at the reception to feed an army.  I suggest we just have some soup and sandwiches.  Come on Mark and the Bobbsey twins let’s make the evening repast.

I followed Mark, Luke and John into the kitchen, John turned to me, “Okay Mr. Magic Chef, what is it that we are going to fix?”

I looked in the refrigerator, “Mark, please check to see what kinds of soup your grandparents might have in the storage area?  John, please set the table and Luke, perhaps you could check to see what the others might like to drink.”

Mark and I started to work and things began to pull together.  It was like we instinctively knew what the other person was thinking so there was little or no conversation.

When everything was ready, I sent John to get the others and we all sat at the table.  Mr. Leavitt said, “I would like to say a small prayer, ‘Our heavenly father, thank you for all of the blessings that you have bestowed on this family and their friends.  Please look after and protect us all.  Amen’”

Mark and I served bowls of cream of mushroom soup with crackers on the side.

When everyone finished, John and Luke cleared the table and Mark put two trays of fresh melons on the table.  The four of us delivered the club sandwiches that Mark and I had made.  When I sat down, I said, “I figured this house couldn’t be too kosher since there was both ham and bacon in the refrigerator, so enjoy.”

Grandma McDowell said, “Just wait until you are here for Hanukkah.  You will be having latkes and playing the dreidel game.”

Grandmother Leavitt spoke up, “Okay people, here is what’s happening tomorrow.  Since Zack is singing at the 8:30 service, and then he and Mark are having breakfast with Beau and Becca.  We thought we should go to the club for lunch before the guys head back to Kansas City.  Is that okay with everyone?”

I threw up my right arm, “Ever since Mark and I arrived, everyone has been telling us what to do.  At least you asked if it was okay.  We would be delighted to join you all for brunch, but we will need some help getting Mark’s belongings into Dad’s van.  I really do need to get back to Kansas City so I can be ready for my classes on Monday.”

Matt stood, “Guys; Luke, John and I will help you load the van.  Now we are going to take the parents and Grandmother McDowell home.  It has been a very long day.”  

They started to get ready to leave but Grandmother McDowell came over to me and whispered, “Zack, please be gentle with Mark.  He is a very special person as I think you might well be.  If you and he fall in love, let it happen but don’t press.”

I hugged her, “Grandmother McDowell, I am as petrified by what is happening as is Mark.  I agree that Mark is a very loving and beautiful person, and I’ll try very hard to never let him be hurt.”

She pulled me close and kissed me, “I don’t care what Beau says.  I like you, just continue to be your own person and take care of my grandson.”

The others had left and then Grandpa and Grandma Leavitt excused themselves saying, “We want to be ready for the excitement tomorrow.”

I thought to myself, 'what excitement?  What else can possibly happen today?'

To be continued... 
 

Feedback always welcome:     

Editor's Notes:

I am so happy to have the chance to read and edit this chapter. It really is getting interesting. I can hardly wait for the next one.

It looks like Mark and Zack are becoming very close.  That really is cool, because both of them are very special and they deserve to have happiness.

It is really wonderful to get to see Beau all grown up and married. I am so pleased to be reunited with all the wonderful people from Fremont. Thank you E Walk for letting me be your editor and it was a lot of fun being at the wedding. Tom and I had a wonderful time. We would love to spend a lot more time in Fremont. Feel free to invite us anytime you like, and we will be more than glad to show up and visit. Hell, given half the chance, we might just pick up and Move there.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 09/21/07