What Do I Do Now, Mom?
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 18 

Wanted Boysitter

When I made sure that the two Hamilton boys were belted in, I turned to them, “Okay, men, what would you like for lunch?  I’d take you to the farm to eat, but they don’t know we’re coming.”

Devin looked at me, “Mr. Adler, do you mean we get to decide what we want?  Nobody ever asks us what we want to eat.”

“Guys, I don’t know what kind of food you like.  Would you like to go the grocery store that has a deli and you can get whatever you would like or would you rather go to a fast food restaurant?
 

Derek asked, “Sir, could we go to that place where we could get what we want?  I don’t want to eat any more hamburgers.”

I stopped at the HyVee  Store and we went in the entry by the food counters.  After we looked around, Devin decided he would like a piece of pizza, and Derek asked, “Mr. Adler, can I get a kid portion of Chinese food?  I really like Chinese food.”

I looked at the boys, “Get whatever you want, and I’ll meet you at the cashier.  I’m going to have a salad.  We always have our big meal at night.”

Derek had eaten less than half of his food, “Mr. Adler, I’m full, I don’t think I can eat any more.”

“I’ll go get you a container and you can take the leftovers home for breakfast.”

When we arrived at the farm, my three guys and the three Brown boys were eating in the front yard.  I introduced the Hamilton boys to the others and admonished, “Make sure these boys work hard.  Their Dad says they’re lazy.”

Devin made a fist and shook it at me, “Our old Dad said we were lazy.  Don’t believe, Mister Adler.”

As I was walking to my car, Randy approached me, “Hank, how can we watch the two boys and get the plumbing done?”
 

I pushed Randy against the car, “Watch it or I’ll check your plumbing right here where the young guys can see what it’s like for a grown man to cry.  I don’t think you’ll have any trouble with Devin and Derek.  They need to be around some boys like ours.   Kiss me so I can get through the afternoon.”

When I arrived back at the office, Gloria was complaining, “Hank, the teachers are really irate about having to redo the end of year reports. They don’t understand what the problem is.  They only did what they’ve been doing for years.  You need to write up some guidelines, so they know what you want.”

I sat down at the computer and quickly put together what I expected the teachers to put in their revised end of the year reports.  I handed Gloria what I had written.  “Gloria, please read this and see if it makes sense.”

She read it and nodded her head, “Hank, this makes sense to me.  Do you want me to send it to the teachers, so they can be thinking about what they’re going to write, before they come in to do their revisions?” 

Gloria came into my office approximately thirty minutes later, “Hank, the teachers are already reacting to your note.  I swear that some of them must sit in front of their computers all day long.  I would guess that you will be having some irate visitors before today is over.”

“My dear Mrs. Hawkins, I’m afraid you will have to fend them off by yourself.  I am scheduled to be at the Central Office in twenty minutes.  I’ll see you when you get here tomorrow, if your substitute can keep me from getting killed.”

I went to the Central Office and I signed my new contract and I was surprised at the significant raise in salary I was going to receive.  Dr. Hunter, the assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, took me into a conference room and showed me  a stack of folders.  “Hank, these are the most recent applicants, we’ve had.”

I read through several of them and stopped, “Dr. Hunter, I’m not taken with any of these applicants.  I don’t think you can tell much from these folders.  Would it be possible to have them come for personal interviews?  I would like to have a parent from the school involved in the decision, as well as another staff member or two.  I also would like to see a wide variety of applicants to include gender and nationalities.  That included the people to fill the Special Education position.”

Greg Spiller spoke up, “Hank, you can’t dictate who will fill the special education positions.”

“I certainly think I should have a say in who is hired, and I think that parents of the children that the person would be servicing have every right in the world to have a say.”

Mr. Spiller was getting up tight, “Adler, that’s not the way it’s done.  What do you know about Special Education that makes you qualified to be involved in the hiring of a special education teacher.  Mrs. Bierbaum and I have the training to decide who should fill the positions.”

“Mr. Spiller, you are so far off base that you have lost sight of reality.  In case you hadn’t noticed, I minored in servicing children with special needs.  The special education teachers are under contract with the district, so what gives you and Mrs. Bierbaum the right to tell me who will work in my building.  When was the last time either of you or she actually taught in the classroom?”

George stood, “I am beginning to believe that it was not a good idea to appoint you to be the principal at Birchcrest.  You're already creating waves.”

“Mr. Spiller, I didn’t ask to be the principal.  It appears that you are caught up in the good old boy syndrome, and that you need to get your head in tune with today’s world.  You chastised me for upsetting Mrs. Shires when members of your own staff have already commended me for causing her to leave.  I suggest you get into the twenty-first century and realize that parents and taxpayers are going to hold us educators accountable for the education of today’s children.  Now, if you will excuse me, I have things to do and places to be.”

There was someone clapping and Superintendent Brown was standing there with another gentleman, “Well said, Mr. Adler.  I agree that we all need to realize that things are different than when we were growing up.  Everyone, I would like to introduce the State Commissioner of Education, Mr. Eric Plumber.  Hank, he would like to meet with you.”

I went and shook the man’s hand, “I’m Hank Adler.  When would you like to meet?”

Everyone in the room was watching and listening to see what Mr. Plumber would say.   “Mr. Adler, I would appreciate it if you could come to the capitol next Tuesday at say nine in the morning.  That way I could meet with you before you meet with the State Education Committee who will be discussing merit pay for teachers.  After what I just heard you say, I‘m positive that they‘ll listen to what you have to say.” 

“Mr. Plumber, I’ll be there on Tuesday, assuming that my bosses will release me from their grips.”

Dr. Brown laughed, “Consider yourself released, Dr. Hunter and I will go with you to make sure you don’t get into any more trouble.”

As I was leaving the Central Office building, Dr. Hunter approached me, “Hank, I want to thank you for what you did this afternoon.  George has been stepping over the line.  It’s time someone stood up to him.  I’m guessing Dr. Brown will be talking to him more about this matter.”

I looked at my watch and it was already five o’clock, so I decided to go home.  When I arrived at the house, there were vehicles that I didn’t recognize.  When I climbed out of the car, I was accosted by Bobby, Adam and Derek and a young boy, whom I didn’t know.  Bobby asked, “Dad, is Ethan going to be in our class, too?”

“Bobby, I don’t know Ethan.  Does he even go to Birchcrest?”

The young man answered, “Our Dad was enrolling us today and he said he would tell you tomorrow that we wanted to be in Bobby and Adam’s class.”

“Ethan, who is your Dad, I don’t know who you’re talking about.”

Ethan pointed, “There’s our Dads with Derek’s mother and Bobby‘s Daddy.”

I looked and saw Randy with Mrs. Hamilton and Mr. Peacock and a gentleman I didn’t know.  Mr. Peacock approached me, “Good evening, Mr. Adler.  Lou and I thought we would come and see what kind of operation you’re running here, before we enrolled the boys in Birchcrest.”

I frowned, “According to Ethan, he’s already programmed to be in Bobby’s class.”

I walked up to the other gentleman. “I’m Hank Adler, I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure of meeting you.”

“The name’s Lou Rollins and law’s my game.”

I laughed, “I take it that perhaps you’re a lawyer.”

“Yep, and that’s how come I know Lorena.  I’m handling her divorce case.  Ryan tells me that you’re into child slavery.  He said you had a  young man working as your secretary when he arrived this morning.”

I looked around, “I gather by Ryan, you’re talking about Mr. Peacock.  Where are the other four boys, anyway?”

Randy answered, “Ritchie, is helping them finish the milking.”

 Mrs. Hamilton was laughing, “I never thought I’d see the day when my son would be milking cows and not complaining.”

I saw a bicycle approaching, I looked to see who it might be.  A young man dismounted, “Hi Mr. Adler,  I’m looking for a job,  I need to get out of the house, since my old man’s getting married and his bitch is bringing her five kids to live at the house.   I refuse to baby-sit fourteen kids and try to keep the farm running  It was bad enough taking care of nine.  I’m fed up with the mess.  Do you have a job that I could have and could I perhaps sleep in your barn or someplace?”

“Witt, first of all, would you please slow down?  And second, would you please watch your language?  There’s a lady and some young boys present who don’t need to hear any vulgar language.”

“Mr. Adler, what did I say that was so offensive?”

“You called your father’s new wife a female dog.”

Witt threw up his hands, “Mr. Adler, I called her what I did because all she has been doing, since I met her, is complain about everything.  She's afraid that I might knock up her wonderful daughters who everyone knows are sluts.  I wouldn't touch them with a ten foot pole,”

Mr. Peacock, Mr. Rollins, Mrs. Hamilton and Randy were laughing and fortunately the four fourth-graders-to-be had disappeared.”

I was saved from having to rebuke Witt by the arrival of the four sixth-graders-to-be and Ritchie, who was complaining.  “That does it, guys, I’m not going near a cow again.  They hate me.  They all tried to go to the bathroom on me.”

Witt was laughing, “What’s the matter, city boy, afraid you might get your hands dirty.  What are you doing here, anyway?”

“Look, country boy, I work here. What are you doing here?”

“I was looking for a job, but I guess I’m barking up the wrong tree.  Mr. Adler, doesn’t need two extra people.  What good are you going to be, if you’re don’t like working with the cows?”

I was only plugging in the hose on the milking machine because the boys can’t reach the connection.  I’m Mr. Taylor’s apprentice.  He’s redoing the plumbing in the house.”

Mr. Peabody had a funny look on his face, “Witt, you mentioned that you were the oldest of nine and have been taking care of your siblings, we might be able to cut you a deal, if Mr. Adler would be amenable.”

All eyes were on me.  I had no idea what Mr. Peacock had in mind, but answered, “Let’s hear what you have to propose, Mr. Peacock.”

“Witt, since you obviously know about farming and taking care of children, it would make sense if Mr. Adler were to hire you to help him around the farm and watch the eight boys while Mr. Taylor and my nephew, Ritchie, get the plumbing finished in the house.  I could go back to work and not be a stay at home Dad.”

Mrs. Hamilton sighed, “It would be a big relief to me as well.  But how are we going to get the boys here and back home in the evening?”

Mr. Rollins sighed, “I suppose we could have Ritchie drive the van, since we obviously are going to be living in the same neighborhood before long.  Ritch, do you supposed you could be relied upon to get the boys here and home safely,”

“Look, Uncle Lou, I get enough ragging about driving safely at home, without you riding my butt.”

Witt started to laugh, “Mr. Adler, how come the city boy can talk like that and we poor farm boys can’t.  When would you be wanting me to start and is there any possibility that I could possibly stay here?”

“Witt, we need to discuss this situation.  I know that Mrs. Hamilton’s two sons won’t here until lunchtime.”

Mr. Peacock interrupted, “Mr. Adler, I’ll pick up Devin and his brother at the school at eleven thirty, after I pick up Ethan and Elliott, at their swim lessons tomorrow.  Ritchie and I can switch vehicles when I get here.”

All eight boys had been listening to the last part of the conversation.  Ritchie looked at Alan and Adam, “Guys, we need to go.  Now that we have farm boy to help, maybe we can get home at a decent hour.  See you in the morning, about nine, Mr. Taylor.”

I watched as Witt walked with Ritchie to his car.  I assumed that they must know each other rather well, because they were talking as if they did.  Witt went to get on his bicycle after everyone had departed and Billy commented, “I thought you were going to be staying here.”

Witt chuckled, “These are the only clothes I have with me and besides I wouldn’t want to impose, since you hadn’t planned on me for dinner.”

Bobby giggled, “We have plenty of food.  It should be ready in about ten minutes.  We do have a wash machine and we’ve seen naked men before, so we can wash your clothes while you take your shower.”

I shook my head no, “Guys, let’s eat as soon as I’ve had a chance to change clothes.  Witt, call your home and let them know where you are, and clear it, so that you can eat with us.  After dinner, we can discuss what you could do to help around here  I don’t know how much we will be able to pay you.  We still haven’t decided on how much Ritchie is going to be paid.”

Witt started to laugh, “Mr. Adler, you need to talk about one thing at a time.  We poor country boys can only handle one thing at a time.”

Randy followed me into the bedroom, “Hank, are you sure we can afford to have both young guys working here?  Where would Witt sleep if he were to stay here.”

I kissed Randy, “Randall Lee, we’ll take one thing at a time.  I’m surprised that Witt is even here.  Mr. Latham is a hick from way back.  Did you get the feeling that perhaps there was a connection between Witt and Ritchie?”

It was a little tight with five of us around the small table but dinner went fine.  Bobby looked at me, “Dad, Grandmother said to tell you that she’s still upset with you for being mean to her, yesterday.”

After dinner, Witt was helping the boys do the dishes and Randy and I were talking to them.  “Witt, it’s going to be cramped, but you’re welcome to sleep on the sofa in the living room if you stay here.  There will be five of us fighting for the one bathroom until we move into the house.”

Witt chuckled, “Mr. Adler, we had twelve people fighting for one bathroom at our house.  Think what it’s going to be like when Dad brings his new wife home with her five daughters, this weekend.  They’re going to need to build a bigger outhouse and there won’t be enough corn cobs to go around.”

Bobby asked, “What would you need corn cobs for?”

Witt had a funny look, “I’ll explain later.  Let me go talk to your Dad and Mr. Adler and see what they would want me to do.”

We walked to the picnic table under the tree and I sat down.  I decided to lay it on the line.  “Witt, Mr. Taylor and I are more than friends.”

Witt shrugged his shoulders, “I sorta figured that out.  I guess you finally came to your senses and realized that Mr. Ron wasn’t coming back.  I think it’s neat that Mr. Taylor brought his two neat sons with him as well.”

Randy chuckled, “Actually, Witt, Hank kidnapped us and is holding us captive.  So your say it wouldn’t bother you if you were to see me and Hank kissing and hugging?”

“Why should it bother me?  I’ve been trying to get into Ritchie pants for sometime, now.  I don’t think he would mind.  Have you ever seen his dick?  He has the biggest dick of any sixteen year old that I’ve seen.”

I had to ask, “Witt, are you saying that you are sexually promiscuous?”

“Not hardly, I’m a pure virgin as far as sex with another person is concerned.  I’m rather sure that I’m gay, but when you’re only transportation is a bicycle and you live in the sticks, there isn’t much chance to do anything about it.”

Randy asked, “Witt, don’t you have a driver’s license?”

“Sir, I have my driver’s license.  I’ve been driving tractors since I was ten.  We only have one car, and heaven help me if I were to ask to use it.”

Billy came out of the trailer, “Dad, I think you'd better come take this phone call.  The man seems awfully angry.”

As I was walking to the trailer, I kept trying to think who I had upset today?  

To be continued...

Editor's Notes:  Somehow, I have the feeling that he is going to get blamed, even if it wasn't his fault.  That seems to happen a lot.  People are always accusing Hank of ruining their lives, even when the things that happen are the fault of the people who are accusing him.

I think Ritchie and Witt will make a nice couple. 

All the boys seem to be really nice kids. 

I really hope things work out for the best.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher 

Posted: 05/14/10