Tip & Ty
by: E Walk

(Copyright 2007 by the Author)
 

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Chapter 36

 Jumping Jiminy

This is Nano Mark.

After the harrowing experience we had with the police, we finally made it to The Children’s Museum.  There was a lot of things for children of all ages to do, but it became apparent that the four children wanted to go their separate ways.  The teenagers had no problem with that.  Lane and Kelley went with Bobby, and Becky was with Lance and Cori.   Kevin and Ryan had taken Billy, so that left me with Barbie,

Before we split up, I had everyone go to the bathroom and made arrangements for everyone to meet in the snack bar at 12:30.  I was surprised, but everyone was there on time.  After a not so healthy lunch of a hotdog, chips and a soda, we decided to meet at the exit at 2:00.  About 1:45

Barbie had seen all the museum that she wanted, so we went to sit in the area by the exit.  She crawled into my lap and was almost asleep when the other six showed up at 2:15.

I didn’t say anything, but Ryan spoke for the group, “Sorry we’re late, Nano,  but the star show in the planetarium just ended.”

“No harm no foul.  Let’s get these young people home, so they can get rested before we go to dinner tonight.”  Barbie fell asleep on the way home, so I carried her to Becky’s and her bedroom and laid her on top of the covers.

When I returned to the kitchen, everyone else was having a glass of milk and some cookies.

I sent the three other children to Tip and Ty’s bedroom to watch a video or they could read if they chose to do so.  When the three young ones had gone, Ryan and Kevin got started.  Kevin was laughing, “We had these two creeps hanging around us all day.  One even came up to us and asked us if we wanted to play.  Ryan said, ‘Sure, but baseball isn’t much fun with just four people.’  The jerks didn’t quite understand that we weren’t interested in messing around.  One of them had the audacity to say, ‘We were thinking more in the terms of a naked wrestling match.’”

I looked at the two girls and they were laughing as hard as Lane and Lance.  Ryan continued the story, “Kevin wanted to make it clear, that we weren’t interested.  He looked at them and shook his head, ‘We probably shouldn’t,  because we would probably cause you some major damage, and you would be walking funny.’  Kevin pointed to the security guard, ‘R. C., why don’t you go ask Dad what time we are going to be leaving?’  The two jerks left quickly and we didn’t see them anymore.”

I became a little concerned, “Where was Billy while this was going on?”

Ryan assured me, “He was sitting in the Lego area with a boy he met, and they were building a fort.  He wasn’t out of our sight while this encounter of the closest kind was taking place.”

Any more frivolity was interrupted by the arrival back of the boring, building search committee.

This is Zack.

I took Tim and Tom into the kitchen and introduced them to the six teenagers and Mark.  “People, I would like to introduce Tim and Tom Young.  I’ll fix them a snack while you introduce yourselves.”

Mark set the tone, “Hi guys, I’m Nano Mark.  I work here as Mr. Jefferson’s children’s caretaker.”

The other adults who had been in the search party for office space were standing watching.  Philip spoke, “I need to go get my operators working on the two new cases I just got today.  We’ll talk to you later.”

Judge Jenkins, Shawn and Colleen also excused themselves.  Beau and Becca had pulled stools up and were having a glass of juice.  Ty tried to give everyone a cocktail, but everyone turned the cocktails down, but they all accepted the offer of a cup of tea and some cookies.  Neil announced, “Tim and Tom will be spending the weekend with us.  Lane and Lance, I don’t suppose you have any clothes they could borrow for tonight, do you?”

Lance looked at Neil and started to laugh, “Uncle Neil, we thought we were coming to spend a very quiet weekend,  We almost don’t have any clean clothes left, since we are only scheduled to stay until late tomorrow afternoon.”

Kevin spoke up, “Never fear, Super Kevin to the rescue.  Come on gang, let’s get this mess cleaned up and go to our house and get you guys some clean clothes.  Lane and Lance, why don’t you come too, so you can meet our parents and their suspicions will be confirmed that you have something sinister planned for my sister and Cori.”

After the eight teenagers left, Beau started to laugh, “Mark, what does this house remind you of.”

Mark pretended to be thinking, “It reminds me of the house next to my Grandparents’ house were Jason lived with his bashful brother Beau.  Too bad my bosses can’t afford a pool.  Come on Zack, let’s  go check on the children and then we need to think about getting dressed for dinner.”

This is Tip.

Randy looked at Beau, “Beau, it sounds like you have known Mark for some time.  I guess you have a special relationship.”

Beau shook his head, “Randy, I have known Mark longer than I have known Becca.  Mark and I became special friends.  I watched him develop from a very timid  person, to where is today.  He is in total control of himself and will do everything within his power to protect those persons he cares for.  Now, if you will excuse us, Becca and I need to make some phone calls.”

Neil stood, “We’re going to go get dressed.  We’ll leave the guys here.  Sounds like Wonder Dog Kevin has things under control.  We’ll meet you all at the club.”

Everyone had disappeared and Ty put his arms around me, “Are you as tired as I am?”

I decided to be funny, “Probably more so than you, Dear, I have a headache.  Why don’t we go take a nice shower and see if we can’t work the tiredness out of your body, but remember, I have a headache that isn’t scheduled to leave until immediately after everyone else has gone to bed tonight.”

Ty was laughing, “Come on Tipper, let’s go drown that headache of yours.”

This is Mark,

Zack and I went to check on the children.  We woke Barbie and Billy and got the four of them dressed and sent them to the game room to watch television and watch for the teenagers.

Zack and I went to our apartment.  Zack rolled his eyes, “I guess we had better not mess around just now.  Kevin and Ryan will be returning shortly.

Why don’t you take your shower first?  I’ll lay out some clothes for us.”

I was just coming out of the shower when there was a knock on the bedroom door.  “Mark and Zack, can we come in?”

Without thinking about my state of dress, Zack answered, “Come on in Ryan.”

The door opened and there stood six teenage boys, looking at me.   Tommy looked at me and said, “Holy Jumping Jiminy.”

I looked at the guys, “I’m sure you didn’t come to inspect my body.  How can we help you?”

Kevin answered for the group, “We were just showing the guys your neat apartment and brought Ryan so he could get dressed.  Do you think the rest of us will be okay for dinner at the club?”

I pulled on my briefs and Tim started to giggle, “Nano Mark, that only accentuates your positives.”

Zack was laughing so hard he had tears running down his cheeks, “Tim, what about Mark’s negatives?”

Tommy stood, “From my vantage point, I don’t see any negatives.  I’ll take the merchandise untested.  Come on guys, we better leave before we get into any more trouble.”

As the six guys were leaving, I asked. “Guys, where are Cori and Kelley?”

Lane answered, “When we left for our tour, they were reading a book to the children and Mr. Jefferson and Doctor Washington were having a cocktail with the Bensons.  Zack, why don’t you get your clothes off so we can see if we need to say Holy jumping double Jiminys?”

I think Zack surprised the six teenagers, I know he did me, when he dropped his slacks and his briefs and was standing there in all his glory.  Lance was shaking his head like an old man, “I think we better change that to triple or quadruple Jumping Jiminys.  It would be fun to watch the two of you playing dueling penises.”

That broke up the eight of us.  Zack was the first to recover, “You delinquents get out of here, or we’ll never be ready in time for dinner.”

Zack and I were the last to arrive in the living room.  Ty took control.  “Lane and Lance, you take the young ladies.  Mark and Zack, you drive the van with the children. Kevin and Ryan, why don’t you ride with the Bensons and Tim and Tom can ride with us.  That way, every car will have someone who knows the way to the club?  When we come home, we may need to make other arrangements.”

Traffic was light, so we were able to travel in a convoy to the club.  I was surprised when Kevin, Ryan, Tom and Tim came to help with the children.  It was like they were each assigned to take care of one of them.  I guess they decided that Zack and I needed a break.  I watched Ty as he saw the children going into the club, each holding one of the teenagers’ hands.  Ty came over to me and asked, “What’s going on?”

I shook my head like I had no clue which I didn’t, but Zack said, “I think the four guys are covering for the fact that they don’t have dates.  People will be really impressed that would be care enough to take care of the young children.”

Beau and Becca had been listening to the conversation and Beau couldn’t resist, “It’s like they are sending out a signal, ‘Don’t mess with the children.’”

Mrs. Quinn was waiting for us and I was seated next to my Grandmother and Zack was seated next to my Grandfather.  I looked around and everyone else’s seats made sense.  Mrs. Quinn had a table for the eight teenagers and Ty’s four children. 

Mrs. Quinn stood, “Thank you all for coming.  Kevin and Kelley, would you please escort the children and the other teenagers through the buffet while we finish our cocktails and visit.  I was beginning to get the feeling the events had been orchestrated earlier by Mrs. Quinn.  She looked at me and winked.

Dinner was a fun event and Ty’s children were really great.  It was about seven o’clock when Barbie came to me, “Nano Mark, I’m tired.  Please can we go home?”

Mrs. Quinn looked at everyone, “I think we all need to leave in order to get to where we are going tonight.”

Neil and Tom looked at Tom’s sons and Tom and Tim, “We would appreciate if you would be home by 11:30.”

Why I said what I did, I’ll never know, “Mr. Trout and Mr. Lansing, Zack and I will make sure to monitor their hormones.  If we find anything out of whack,  we’ll have these eight teenagers confined to the basement and order some food for the soul if they start to complain.”

Neil pulled out his wallet, “Tim, you will pay for any food that is delivered.  These people have been more than gracious.  I agree, we need to get going if we are to be in the theatre before the curtain goes up.

 

Poor Tim was looking at the money in his hands and finally just stuck it in his pocket.  This was obviously a new concept to him and Tommy.  Kevin went to him and I heard Kevin say, “Tim, just roll with the punches.”

We managed to fit everyone in the cars and went back to our new home.  Zack and  I went to  get the children ready for bed, but the teenagers intervened.  Kevin spoke for the teenagers, “We’ll get the children ready for bed and then I’ll read them a story and their Daddy can come and tuck them in.  Mark and Zack, why don’t you go make hay while you can?”

Zack and I left and got into Zack’s car and drove to a local theatre.  We looked at our choices and finally decided on Sweeney Todd.  When the show started, Zack looked at me and had a questioning look. 

I knew what he was asking and I responded, “Zack, let’s just go back to the house.  We can go up the back stairs and no one will realize that we are there.  I just want to hold you.”

We went up the back stairs to the garage and let ourselves in, not telling anyone we were there.  It just felt so good to be able to hold an almost naked Zack.  I know I was emotionally drained and went to sleep.

This is Ty.

What in the world do you do to entertain eight teenagers.  I guess nothing, but at 9:30, Tim approached me, “Mr. Jefferson, would it be okay if I ordered some pizzas and such.  This money is burning a hole in my pocket.”

I looked at Tim, “I guess Tip should check to see how hot the fire is that is causing the hole.  Of course you can order whatever you want, but since it is the first night that we have been living here, we have no idea who you should call.  Perhaps you should check with Kevin and Kelley since it is their neighborhood.”

Kevin and Tim came back and made a phone call.  I heard Kevin say, “We’ll be there in twenty minutes to pick up the order.”

Kevin, Ryan and Tim left and returned carrying stacks of food.  Kevin stuck his head into the living room where Tip and I were sitting.  “We are going to use paper plates.  Would you like to share some of the food with us?  There is plenty.”

We went to watch the teenagers devouring the food.  Ryan came to us and asked,  “Uncle Ty and Uncle Tip, do you suppose that Mark and Zack are okay?  It is not like them to stay away this long.  Mark worries about everything.”

Tip looked at Ryan, “Are you saying that you don’t think we are capable of taking care of the children, and you silly teenagers?”

“Doctor Washington, all I am saying that this is not something that I would expect from Mark and Zack.  They always seem to be in the middle of everything.”

Kevin was standing listening to the conversation, “Ryan, didn’t you notice that all of their cars are in the garage or driveway.  They probably snuck in and went to their hideaway without anyone noticing.  They are probably either making mad passionate love or sawing logs.  I vote for the latter, since it has been a very rough day, especially for Mark.”

Lane came in and announced, “I’m going to walk Kelley home and Lance is going to drive Cori home.  We’ll come back and help clean up, and then take Tom and Tim with us to Uncle Neil’s pad.  Boy, are they in for a shock.”

Any further discussion was disrupted because Becca and Beau arrived back at the house.  Kevin asked, “So how was the show?”

Beau got everyone’s attention, “Quite frankly, it sucked.  If we had paid full price for the tickets, I would have been livid and would have been standing at the stage door with a shot gun.  Since the tickets were given to us, I guess we can’t complain.  But it is a good thing we came to Kansas City on other business.”

Kevin was having a field day, “Quite frankly, Mr. Benson, your use of the vernacular doesn’t leave much to be imagined.  I guess you didn’t like the concert very much?”

Becca answered, “How about not at all,  we almost couldn’t make it until intermission.  Now, if you will excuse us, we are going to go to bed.  What time are we going to church?”

“I’m guessing that Mark will have everyone ready for the late service, since it will be difficult to get everyone organized for the 8:30 service.”  Ty answered as the two Lansing boys came in.

Lane looked at us.  “Thanks for having us spend the day with your family.  We had a great time.  Come on Tom and Tim, we’ll take you to your new home.”

Everyone had departed and Kevin and Ryan bid us goodnight with hugs.  I looked at Tip, “Do you suppose anything else can happen today?” 

To be continued... 
 

Feedback always welcome:     

Editor's Notes:

Well, still another fascinating and wonderful chapter. Talk about having a lot of things happening all at once, no wonder Zak and Mark were so tired. I hope things settle down a little bit so the people can get just a little break from all the excitement.  I do realize that the chances of that happening are slim to none, but I can still hold on to the dream, and yet, it is the unexpected happenings that make this and the other stories from E Walk so wonderful.  I find myself living the stories as I read them.  There are very few people that can pull you into the lives of the people in their stories as thoroughly as Uncle Ed can. Heck, quite often, I get letters from one or more of them asking me to please hurry up and edit their latest chapter. I love each and every one of them.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 03/28/08