Tip & Ty
by: E Walk

(Copyright 2007 by the Author)
 

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

 

Chapter 32

Promises, Promises

This is Tip.

Mark picked Barbie up and after lunch he started to make a list of everything that he needed to buy later.  After Barbie’s nap, they stopped by the Quinn house to see what he else he might need for the meal. 

Mrs. Quinn took care of Barbie while Mark carefully examined the kitchen and dining room.  He went in and talked to Mrs. Quinn and explained what he had in mind.

Mrs. Quinn started to laugh, “Mark, do whatever you need to do.  I don’t know how you are going to pull this party off with everything else that you are doing.  I don’t know how much help I can be, but I will do whatever you will permit me to do.  Just being around you is making me feel twenty years younger.”

Mark collected Barbie and they went to pick up the other three children at school.  Mark gave them all a snack and made sure they had all of their homework done before he took them to the park.  They spent 45 minutes at the park before he went home and started dinner.

Dinner was very simple, Mark had made chicken fried steaks and had mashed potatoes with sausage gravy and creamed corn and a fruit salad.  After dinner, he asked Tip and me to take care of the children while he went to the store to get the rest of the items he needed.

While he was gone, he had three phone calls, so we just took the messages because we had no idea what they were about.

Mark came in and announced, “I need to take some of these things to Grandma Quinn’s house.  I’ll be back in 30 minutes.”

Ty spoke up, “Mark, you have had three phone calls.  You'd better answer them, or people are going to think that you don’t live here.”

Mark quickly looked at the calls, “Guys, I think I am in trouble.  He called the first number.”

“This is Mark Leavitt; I have a note that asked that I call Dr. Plummer. … Yes ma’am, thank you for calling. … You would like to offer me a job? … What would I be doing? … Thank you for your offer ma’am, but I already have a full time job.  I will be glad to work with anyone who needs help on the three days I volunteer in my three charges' classrooms, but I also have a preschooler I take care of and I don’t think the school district can match what I am making in my present position.  I am flattered by your offer, but I am needed here more at the present time. … Have a good evening, Ma’am.”

Mark looked at the second note.  He was scratching his head like he was lost.  He dialed the number.  “This is Mark Leavitt.  I have a note asking me to call Mr. Sadler. … Oh hi, Mr. Sadler, how can I help you? …. Oh, so you are Chris’ father? … Chris said what? … Mr. Sadler, I will be at the school every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning, from 9:30 until eleven if you or Chris ever needs to visit.  I am glad that I was able to help Chris today.”

Mark called the last number, “Hi, this is Mark Leavitt; I had a note to call Mr. Cummings. … Yes sir, we are having another dinner party and I really need Ryan to help me, since it is a party for 30.  I was counting on him to help take care of the children, while I fixed the food.  The children just love him and he relates so well with them. … No sir, that would not be a problem at all, since we are moving into our new house this weekend.  We will have lots of room for him. …  He won’t need any money; he will be working for his bed and board. … Just tell him to pack some nice clothes so he can go to church with us on Sunday. … No sir, my bosses will make sure he behaves like a gentleman.”

When Mark finally hung up, Ty couldn’t help himself, “Okay silver tongued devil, tell us what those three calls were about.”

Mark acted like this was commonplace, “The first call was the school offering me a position.  The second one was the parent of one of the students I got involved with today, and the third was Ryan’s Dad asking if Ryan could spend the weekend with us, since the family had plans to go to the Lake of the Ozarks and Ryan didn’t want to go.  Now I need to take the things that I have in the van to Mrs. Quinn’s house before they spoil.  If Zack calls before I get back, tell him I will call him back as soon as I return.”

Before Mark could leave, we heard, “Nano Mark, you need to come and tuck us in.”

Mark went up the steps and Ty turned to me, “I guess we know who is important in this house.  I think I have been blackballed.  Maybe we should fire Mark.”

“Tyler, I wouldn’t even go there, not only are there four children who would be tearing you apart piece by piece, and our other brother that would probably castrate you.  Mark is so unassuming and genuine that he has no idea how he affects people.”

Mark was coming down the stairs when the phone rang.  He answered, “Zack, I’ll call you back in 30 minutes.  I have things in the car that I need to get refrigerated and in the freezer.  I’ll call you when I get back from Mrs. Quinn’s house. … Later.”

Mark turned to us, “I’ll be back shortly.  Why don’t you go to bed?  I’ll lock up and then go to bed unless there is something you want to visit with me about.”

Mark was gone so Ty and I went up to our bedroom and took our showers.  I heard Mark come in and I heard him quietly talking to someone.  Ty and I were both tired so I did not hear Mark come up the steps.

This is Mark.

I’m exhausted.  I will probably die before I am thirty, at this rate.  I need my Zack here to reinvigorate me.  Tip and Ty must think I am a complete idiot.  Remind me not to schedule a dinner party on a Friday again.

I guess I must have finally fallen asleep, because next thing I remember was someone touching me lightly.  I looked up and Tip was standing there in workout clothes. 

“Ty and I are going to go to the fitness center.  Are you okay?  It is not like you to sleep this late.  It is almost 6:45.”

I jumped out of bed without even thinking about what state my penis might be in.  Tip started to laugh, “So much for the myth that we African Americans are better endowed than you Anglo Americans.  I think I'd better start feeling sorry for Zack.”

I hugged Tip, “Watch it, Boss, you’re exacerbating the situation.  I may never be able to get it flaccid again.”

I quickly took care of what needed to be done and went to start breakfast and start some things for the dinner before I went and woke the children.  The children assured me that they could get themselves dressed, so I went to the kitchen and continued to work.  Tip and Ty returned and went to get ready for the day.

When everyone was seated, I served the pancakes and sausages.  I didn’t even sit down, I continued to work.  I looked at Ty, “Ty, could you drop the children off at school today.  Bobby, here is a note for Mr. Harrison.  Would please make sure he gets it?  Ty, would you please ask Shawn and Colleen to come to Mrs. Quinn’s house at four o’clock, so they can help me with the last minute things?”

Ty started to laugh, “Mark, you have done it again.  You asked three totally unrelated questions without breathing.  Yes, I will drop the children at school.  I will remind Bobby to give the note to Mr. Harrison, and yes I’ll make sure that Shawn and Colleen are available to assist you.”

I started to laugh, “Thank you for answering my triumvirate of three questions.”

Bobby looked at me, “What does that tri whatever word mean?”

I looked at the children, “That is your new word for today.  The word is triumvirate, and it means set of three.  Now how about you children getting ready for school.  Barbie, we need to make sure that everything is ready for your play group.  I’ll make a snack while I am cooking.”  I hugged everyone as they left.  Tip was the last to leave.  As he was leaving, I couldn’t resist, “I guess we will just have to see up close and personal if the myth about sexual endowment has been dispelled.”

Tip looked at me, “Mark, you have a sinister mind.”  He left laughing.

Everything was running on schedule and Barbie was anxiously awaiting the arrival of her friends.  I had set up a play area so I could see it from the kitchen.  The new house will be so much better for the group than the condo.  I guess we will need to think about getting a jungle gym for when the weather is nice.

I was surprised, because the other three parents arrived about the same time.  I was even more surprised that one of the boys was dropped by his dad.  Mr. Kraft explained, “My wife had a doctor’s appointment with her obstetrician, Doctor Washington, so she will be by to pick Mikey up at 11:15.”

“So are you saying that Mikey is going to be having a new brother or sister?”

Mr. Kraft answered, “Actually, Dr. Washington thinks it might be a multiple birth.  That is why he wanted to do an ultrasound this morning.”

I couldn’t help myself, “I’ll check with my boss this afternoon to find out the results.”

Mr. Kraft was looking confused, “I thought that Mr. Jefferson lived here.”

“Mr. Jefferson does live here with his brother, Dr. Washington, and his younger brother, Zack Jackson.  I am Mark Leavitt.  I am just the Nano.  You have a good day sir and I’ll make sure that the children don’t get into too much trouble.”

 

The children were playing and I gave them a snack and started to sing with them.  At 11:00, I started to read a story and the four children all huddled close to me as I read.  Mikey had taken the position of sitting on my lap.  It was obvious that he might be starved for attention.  The parents started to arrive and the children hugged me as they left.  Mrs. Kraft was the last to arrive.

“I’m sorry, I am a little late, but Dr. Washington was running a little behind schedule.  Now come on Mikey, we need to go home.”

Mikey surprised me, “I don’t want to go home.  I want to stay here with Nano Mark.”

I reacted immediately, I dropped down so Mikey was looking in my eyes, “Mikey, you have to go home and help your Mommy and Daddy get ready for your new brother or sisters.”

Mikey was adamant, “I don’t want any brothers or sisters.  I want to stay here with you.”

I looked at Mrs. Kraft and she looked very frustrated, “Mikey, everyone needs a brother or sister to love and take care of.  I have three brothers and Barbie has a sister and two brothers.  Everybody needs a brother or sister.  Now you go home and help your Daddy and Mommy and I will see you next week at our new house.  Now give me a hug and get your jacket and shoes.”

Mikey left to get his things and Mrs. Kraft looked at me and whispered, “Thank you.”

I thought I would liven up the atmosphere, “Mrs. Kraft, I’ll talk to my boss about being on time for his appointments.”

Mikey stopped anymore conversation, “Come on Mommy, Nano Mark says we need to go get ready for my brother and sisters.”

Barbie and I had a quick lunch and I loaded the van with everything that we needed to take to Mrs. Quinn’s house.

When we got to Mrs. Quinn’s house, she announced, “I have just about everything out of here that I want.  I will be sleeping at my son’s house from now on.  All of the beds have fresh linens and the bathrooms have been cleaned.  You are now the proud owners of this house.”

I looked at Mrs. Quinn, “Don’t you mean that Tip and Ty are now the owners of this house?  I am just an employee.”

Mrs. Quinn looked at me, “Nano Mark, I don’t think that anyone is looking at you as an employee.  I get the feeling that you are a very integral part of this little family.  I think the other seven members would take offense if you referred to yourself as just an employee.”

I guess I could recognize when I have been chastised.  I hugged Mrs. Quinn, “Whatever you say, Grandma.  Now would you make sure that Barbie gets her nap and I think you should rest while she is resting, since it is going to be a long day?”

It was about 2:30 when Barbie and Grandma Quinn resurfaced.  I reminded them that they should make sure that nothing burned while I went to pick up the other three children.

After the children had their snacks, they disappeared into the play room and I asked Grandma Quinn to monitor their activities.  I was pleased at how well everything seemed to be pulling together.  I was surprised when Shawn and Colleen arrived and I put them to work.  I was even more surprised when Kelley and Kevin arrived.

They announced. “Grandmother figured you might need all the help you could get, so we are here to help.”

I breathed a sigh of relief, “Thanks, you two.  Could you set the dining room table for seventeen?  Were you able to lasso three more ladies to join us? “

Kevin spoke, “Yep, we can set the table if you tell us what we need, and yes we asked three of our friends to join us at 5:30.  Is Ryan coming?”

“Yes, he’ll be spending the weekend with us.  I guess you could say we are teenager sitting him for the weekend.  I suppose that also means that we are going be teenager sitting you also”  I laughed.

Kelley was having a ball with our banter.

We were interrupted  by the arrival of Zack,  I wanted to show him how glad I was that he was back, but I restrained myself.  “Take your things to the apartment, and then you need to go get some clothes for the children, as well as their pajamas.  We will be spending the night here.”

Zack looked at me, “Yes, Daddy.”

Zack took his things to what was going to be our apartment, which we would be sharing with at least Ryan this weekend and I would be willing to bet that Kevin was going to be there also.

Zack left with Kevin, to get some clothes for the children as well as the things I had laid out for me.  Beau and Becca arrived just as Ryan’s Dad was dropping him off.  I showed Beau and Becca to the guest suite after I introduced them to Mrs. Quinn and the others who were present.  I had Ryan put his things in the other bedroom in the garage apartment.

Beau and Becca, being who they are, were wanting to help, so I set them to making Margaritas, daiquiris and whiskey sours so that the guests could have their choice, since I didn’t have any idea what everyone drank.  It was 5:30 and everything was ready to go.  I let out a big sigh.

I turned to the people assembled so far and announced. “I am going to go change for dinner.  Grandma Quinn, you are the hostess, Kevin and Kelley, please make sure the children are dressed properly.  I’ll be back in five minutes.  Zack, you need to come help me.”

When we got to the room, I pulled Zack against me, “Zack, I think I am in way over my head, this time.  Please hold me!”

Zack, in his own way, admonished me, “Markie, everything is under control.  I don’t know how you do it, but everyone is helping.  But watch out when we go to bed tonight.  I am going to ravage your body so you won’t be able to move in the morning.”

I looked at Zack, “Promises, promises.”

To be continued... 
 

Feedback always welcome:     

Editor's Notes:

I really love this chapter. As someone once said, "I love it when a plan comes together."  (I can't completely give the proper attribution, but I know it came from "The A Team" television show.)

I can hardly wait to see what will happen next. There is always so much happening in these stories, that we all get totally caught up in the story and are so very ready to know what will be next. 

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 02/29/08