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 33

 The Mexican Fiesta

Author’s Corner:  I want to thank all of the readers for their comments.  I especially want to thank the person who cajoled me into accepting him as an editor and finding someone who would host my stories.  Mr. Darryl, AKA Radio Rancher, has been with me every step of the way, making sure that I get it right.  Thank you my friend!  E.

This is Mark.

Zack had just threatened to ravage my body.  He was holding me, and I suddenly remembered something, “Zack, I screwed up.  When I was counting how many people would be here for dinner, I forget to count Tip, Ty, you and me.  We need to find a place for four more people.”

Zack thought for a minute, “Let’s check to see if Mrs. Quinn had a card table or something, and we could add it onto the table.  That would take care of it.  I’ll take care of the extra places, and you worry about everything else.”

Zack appeared back in the kitchen and everything was ready.  I went to see if all of the guests were present and they were.  The eight teenagers were in the play room with Ty’s four children.  I met Lance and Lane and knew immediately that I was going to like them.  They were sitting with Kelley and one of her friends, Cori, playing a game with Bobby and Becky. 

Ryan and Kevin and two young females, who looked to be twins, were playing a game with Billy and Barbie.

Zack and I went to check on the adults in the living room.  Ty introduced Mr. Lansing and Mr. Richards, as well as Mr. Trout and Mr. Smithers.  Zack and I shook hands with the four gentlemen and went to hug my grand-

parents.  I excused myself and went to make sure everything was ready and called the people from the game room.

I had Bobby go to the living room and ask that everyone be seated in the dining room.  Everything was ready, but I felt like I had missed something.  ‘Oh well, too late now.’

There were baskets of fresh corn chips with salsa, on the tables, along with small plates.  When everyone was assembled, we gathered in the dining room and I asked Mrs. Quinn to say a prayer of thanks, which she did.  The teenagers took Ty’s children and got them settled and Tim, Shawn, Leanne, Colleen and Zack went to the kitchen to help me to serve the black bean soup that I had made.

Everyone had been served and I finally went to sit down and found that I was seated between Grandma Quinn and Philip Burns.  I looked around the table and thought to myself, ‘Someone has manipulated the seating. I guess I should have made place cards.’

Everyone finished their soup, so I stood, and started to take the bowls away and it was like an army of ants cleared the table.  I had decided to serve the meal buffet style, since I had fixed three kinds of enchiladas - beef, chicken and seafood.  I had a large chafing dish with Spanish rice and another of refried beans to go along with the meal.  There was a bowl of diced tomatoes, another with shredded lettuce and a third with shredded cheese if anyone wanted them.

I made sure that the older adults went through the line first and teenagers helped the four young people.  I was surprised at the portions that everyone was taking and I was beginning to wonder if I had made enough.  Fortunately, Zack and I went through the line last and there was still plenty of food if anyone wanted to have seconds.  I was not surprised when eight teenagers came and asked if they might have more.

I assured them that there was plenty, but it was like a vacuum cleaner sucking up food.  Mr. Lansing laughed, “Mark, this meal is wonderful.  I am surprised that you all don’t weigh a hundred pounds more than you do.”

I couldn’t help myself, “Don’t blame me.  Blame my mentor Beau.  He never did anything halfway.  It was all or nothing.  Besides, I had to convince my grandparents that I wasn’t under nourished.  Of course, this is the only meal I will be able to eat for a week.  Now if those of you who have business to discuss will move to living room, the rest of us will take care of the cleanup.”

Everyone started to help take the dishes to the kitchen.  The teenagers helped and it was no time at  all before the cleanup was complete.

This is Marilyn Leavitt, Mark’s Grandmother.

My husband and I were just amazed at the different people who were around the table. There hadn’t been any places cards at the table and the people just randomly sat down.  Mark had everything organized and after the food had been blessed, the soup was served.  As if on cue, the empty soup bowls, disappeared and Mark and Zack placed the steaming food on the buffet line.

Mark made sure that us older folks went through the line first.  We were followed by the young people, then other adults except for Mark and Zack.  Zack was serving the wine.  Mark checked to see that the young people in the kitchen had everything they needed.   He came back and announced, “The young people are fine.  Can I get anyone anything before I sit down?”

Anne Quinn looked at Mark, “Nano, sit down.  We are all big boys and girls; we can help ourselves if we need something.”

Dinner conversation was lively.  I’ll say this, no one was exactly shy.  Ty looked at Beau, “Beau and Becca, I have us scheduled to see three properties tomorrow.  They don’t sound too promising.  The agent was a little upset that I asked him to come up with some properties on such short notice.  It was almost like I was imposing on him.”

Neil Trout looked up, “Ty, what kind of property are you looking for?”

Ty answered, “Since I just added two new associates, we need more space and since Zack is going to be managing The Benson Consulting Agency for Beau and Becca in the Kansas City area, we thought it might good for us to be collocated.”

Mark started to laugh,  “They just want a place to play tiddily winks and hopscotch when they are sitting around with their thumbs you know where.”

I looked at Mark and scolded, “Mark, that is no way to talk at dinner!”

“Grandma, what did I say that was so bad?”  Mark interlaced his fingers and started twirling his thumbs.  “How boring can it be to count the revolutions your thumb is making around the other one.  Of course, they could change direction and count the counter revolutions.”

Every one started to laugh and Mr. Lansing looked at me,  “Judge Leavitt, I think you'd better quit while you are ahead.”

Neil looked at Randy, who nodded yes, “Ty, I have a proposal for you and the those concerned in the search for a new office space.  The floor below us in our building just opened this week.  It sounds like it might be just what you are looking for.  Also, think how convenient it would be for Mr. Jenkins and you to handle our contracts.  It might even be large enough for Philip and his associates to move in, and then think of the time and gas you would save especially now that he is working with you on Lance and Lane’s case.”

I was completely at a loss now, as were some other people about what was going on.  Fortunately Richie Jenkins intervened, “Tip, now that Ty and you have bought this house, or are buying this house, what are you going to do with the condo?”

Tip looked at Richie, “Mr. Jenkins, I hadn’t even thought about that.  Everything has been happening so fast.  I guess I could sell it, but right now is not a good time to be selling  properties.  I guess, I could always see if I could find some renters who might be interested.”

Richie wasn’t finished, “Now that Shawn, Tim, Leanne and Colleen are all gainfully employed, they could save some money if they pooled their resources.  For outward appearances, they could each have their own bedroom.  Just think of the money they could save on utilities alone.”

Leanne turned bright red, “Uncle Richie, you just outed us in front of all of these people we don’t know.”

Mark stopped anymore conversation.  He stood and suggested, “You people who have business to discuss, adjourn to the living room.  Dessert will be served as soon as we get the children ready for bed.”

Before we could get up from the table, Ty’s four children came into the dining room, followed by the eight teenagers.  Bobby went to Mark, “Nano Mark, can we go to the Children’s Museum tomorrow.  Lane, Lance, Kelley and Cori want to go.  Kevin and Ryan will go with us too.  Lorrie and Laney have to go to their sister’s wedding.  Please, Nano Mark.”

Mark surprised me, “First, you need to check with the other parents and grandparents to see if it's okay.  Grandma Quinn would need to check with Cori’s parents.  Why don’t you check with Lance and Lane’s Daddy and then check with Grandma Quinn and see what they have to say?”

I was amazed as Billy went and crawled on Tom Lansing’s lap, “Mr. Lansing, please may Lance and Lane go with us tomorrow?”

Tom was playing the role now, “I’ll have to think about that.”

Billy grabbed Tom’s face, “Please, Mr. Lansing.”

Tom squinted his eyes, “I guess it will be okay, but I think I need a kiss from each of you to be sure.”

Bobby and Billy responded immediately and all eyes were directed to Becky and Barbie who were standing by Anne Quinn.  Becky started, “Grandma Quinn, please say that it is okay that Kevin and Kelley go with us tomorrow.  Ryan will be lonely if Kevin can’t come.”

I looked at Kevin and Ryan.  They reacted very differently.  Kevin started to laugh and Ryan began to turn a little red.

Anne pointed to the young people, “Becky and Barbie, you need to make sure they behave themselves.  Now, how come Mr. Lansing got a kiss and I didn’t?”

The girls took care of the problem.  Mark stopped any more dialogue,  “Time for the dish patrol to go into action.  Zack will be serving drinks of your choice in the living room.  We shouldn’t be long.  Dessert will be served in approximately forty five minutes.”

Mark got the four younger children their desserts and then had the teenagers get them ready for bed.

My husband leaned over to me, “Marilyn, it is obvious who is in charge here.  Beau taught Mark well.  Just think back about 12 years ago.  What a difference.”

The teenagers returned and Mark went to say goodnight to the four little ones.  When he came down, he looked at Ty, “Ty, the children want you and Tip and Zack to go say goodnight.   The rest of us will be in the dining room when you return.”

Mark had fixed sopaipillas and turtle chimichangas.  Everyone raved at the desserts.  The teenagers had one of each. 

I think everyone was surprised when Anne announced, “I need to go now, but I am inviting you to the club tomorrow night for an early buffet at 5:30 since some of us have tickets to the opera tomorrow night.  Please let me know if you can join us, so I can make sure the club has an adequate size room for us.”

Neil started to laugh, “Mrs. Quinn, the four of us adults have reservations for the opera also.  The twins have chosen not to go.  I think they might be developing some plans of their own.  We would very much like to join you.”

Tip looked at Mrs. Quinn, “Grandma Quinn, we’ll join you also.  That way Mark won’t have to worry about cooking.  The children will be thrilled to be included.”

Becca spoke then, “Beau and I would be honored to join you.  We have tickets to a concert at the Civic Center.  Thank you for asking.”

Zack caught everyone off guard, “I think Mark and I will stay home.  I’ll be too busy watching Mark count the revolution and counter revolutions that he can do in a minute.”

That  was the perfect note to end the party.  I watched as everyone went to Mark and hugged him and Zack.  It was like they realized who was in control here. Mark was, but he didn’t take advantage of that.  He just continued to be the unassuming person he has always been.  I was very proud of him.  I am sure that he will be making a name for himself in the future.  I just hope that I am around to see it.  Of all my grandson’s, he was by far the most interesting.  Don’t get me wrong; I love them, all of them, but Mark has a special quality and he and Zack seem to complement each other.

This is Zack.

Everyone finally left, except Tip, Ty, Beau and Becca and Kevin and Ryan of course, but Kevin and Ryan had gone to their bedroom.  I wonder what was on their minds?  I know what was on mine; I wanted to show Mark how I could use my thumb. 

My nasty thoughts were interrupted by Tip, “We are going to leave now, we’ll be back for breakfast.  If you want to run, we can bring a change of clothes and run with you.  Kevin and Ryan will be here to make sure that nothing happens to the children.”

Mark took over, “Since tomorrow is Saturday, why doesn’t everyone who wants to run assemble in the kitchen at 7:30.  You two go and enjoy your night and don’t do anything we wouldn’t do?”

Becca spoke up, “Too much information, guys.”

Mark knew Becca better than I, “I was just reminding Tip and Ty not to brush there teeth with bleach or they might not be able to talk.  Who ever heard of a lawyer and obstetrician who couldn’t talk.”

Beau and Becca started to laugh and Beau added, “On that note, we’re going to bed.  We hope that we don’t hear any weird sounds coming from the garage apartment tonight.”

Beau and Becca hugged us and left the four of us alone.  Ty turned to Mark, “Mark, thank you for making this such a great evening.  I think everyone had a good time.  I know I did.  We’ll see you in the morning.”

As we were securing the house, I grabbed Mark and pried his mouth open and held him in a long embrace.

Mark pulled away, “I was looking forward all week to something bigger than a thumb invading my body.   Do you think you can be of help, there?”

I rubbed my hands together like the big bad wolf might have done, “I’ll see what I can do, if you aren’t too noisy.   Mark, I’ll do anything you want, but remember, Kevin and Ryan are right next door and Beau and Becca are staying here.  The children are sleeping in a strange environment and might come barging in at any given minute.  Let’s just go to bed and see what is going to happen.”

Well, will they or won’t they make love tonight?  Only the Shadow knows.  

To be continued... 
 

Feedback always welcome:     

Editor's Notes:

Before I say anything about this chapter, I want to thank E Walk for the nice compliment he made at the beginning of the chapter.  When I first read one of his earlier stories I fell in love with it, hook, line and sinker. I offered to edit for him, and he graciously accepted my help.   It wasn't long before he began writing several new stories, all of which are as impressive as the first one was.  E has that wonderful ability to get you hooked on a story and its people as soon as you open the story. After you open it, there is simply no turning back. You are forever hooked. 

Now, If I get a vote on the subject of whether Zack and Mark get to make love, I vote yes, since life has been so hectic lately, it is well past time that they have a chance to show each other just how much they love each other.  I think it would be cruel to keep them apart.

Things seem to be moving along very nicely, with buying the house and maybe finding a property for the offices etc. don't they?  I like it when a plan comes together.

I'm ready for a new chapter, but then I am always ready for a new chapter.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 03/07/08