What Do I Do Now, Mom?
by: E Walk
(© 2009-2010 by the Author)
 

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Chapter 35 

A Day Off?

Since July fourth had fallen on a Sunday, the fifth was a legal holiday. I made up my mind that I wasn’t even going anywhere near the school unless there was an emergency.

I was awakened by noises in the background.  I opened the door and heard Billy say, “There’s no reason for all of us to get up early, since there aren’t any animals on your old farm.  Let’s let the rest of the guys sleep-in this morning.  I don’t hear the two dads, so they must be sleeping.”

I snuck up behind Billy and grabbed him, “Watch who you’re calling lazy, kid.  I’ll be there to help you, as soon as I can find some clean clothes.  I swear someone has been wearing my clothes.”

Billy turned around, “Sorry, you’re so messy, sir.  We had all your clothes cleaned before we moved them into this big house.  You don’t suppose the gremlins are stealing them, do you?  We’ll meet you at the barn when and if you can find your cane.”

When I arrived at the stable, Billy and Witt were taking care of the milking.  Billy looked at me, “You get to skate today, since the steers are gone and young calves are in the pasture.  Make sure the chickens don’t bite you.  They’re nervous because some of the their friends have disappeared.  When are the new chicks going to arrive?”

“Billy, that’s one of the things that Witt needs to remind me to do today.  We have to get the peep house set for their arrival and make sure that all the equipment is functioning properly.”

“Witt, you and I need to sit down and work out a payroll account with Randy.  We can’t have all these people working and not getting paid.”

As we were eating the breakfast that Wade and Walt had fixed, Wally asked, “Are we going to work all day or what?”

I looked at Randy and he seemed  to be as taken aback by that question as I was.  I figured that Wally had something on his mind, “Wally, is there something special that you would like to do, today?”
 

“When all the guys were here the last time, they were talking about going to a carnival.  Yesterday at Sunday school, the kids were talking about the carnival and how much fun it was.  We’ve never been to a carnival, so we don’t know what they’re talking about.  Could we go?”

Witt shook his head no, “Wally, carnivals cost money.  There are too many of us to go.  We can’t all fit into Mr. Adler’s car and truck.”

Willy asked, “Why can’t we ride in the back of the truck?  We’ll sit real still so we don’t fall out.”

“Guys, it is against the law to ride in the back of a pickup truck and it  can be very dangerous.  I didn’t know that there was a carnival in town.  We could take some of you at a time and come back and get another load.”

Witt shook his head, “Mr. Adler, that’s a waste of money.  We don’t need to go to a carnival.”

Wally started to argue, “Witt, you’re acting like our old Dad.  You don’t want us to know what everyone else knows.”

“Guys, let me decide what we should do.  I’ll talk it over with Dad Randy and we’ll see what we can do.”

Witt frowned but didn’t say anything in front of the younger boys.  I could tell that he was thinking something, but I had no idea what it might be.

After breakfast, Randy and I took Witt aside.  I hugged him, “Son, you need to be a little more patient with your brothers.  They have missed out on a lot of experiences that other children their age have had.  They need to have the opportunity to experience new things.”

Randy added, “Witt, I was watching Billy and Bobby during the conversation about the carnival.  Even though they weren’t saying anything, I could tell that they were pulling for Wally and Willy.  They have not had the opportunity to do many fun things since their mother died.  We need to give all of the younger people some slack.  When was the last time you were at a carnival?”

“You want the truth?  I’ve never actually been to a carnival, and I’m almost positive that Wade and Walt haven’t been either.  We hardly had enough money for food, let alone be able to go someplace like a carnival.  I just don’t want my brothers to think they have to do something because other children do it.  Six new mouths to feed is going to add significantly to your food bill.”

Our conversation was cut short by the phone, Bobby came to where we were talking, “Daddy, Ritchie wants to talk to you.”

Randy went to the phone, “Hey, Ritch, what’s up? … Let me check with Hank.  I’ll be right back.”

Randy turned to me, “Hank, Ritch wants to know if I'm going to work on the plumbing today.”

“Randy, that’s up to you.  Why don’t you only work in the afternoon today so we can run some errands this morning?”

“Ritch, we’re going to run some errands this morning.  Why don’t you come at about one and we can get a couple of good hours work done, while we have Hank captive.  It’s time he finds out what hard work being a plumber is. … Great, see the three of you then.”

After Randy had hung up, he grinned, “Ritch and Aaron and Eric Corn are going to be arriving about one, to show you what a real man does for a living.  They’re bored.”

Bobby came skipping in, “Mr. Post just delivered the paper.  He said to say hi.”

I opened to the classified section to see if my two ads advertising the job and renting the trailer were in the paper.  They were, but another larger ad caught my attention.  For Sale by Owner:  Like new, 06 Toyota Camry with low mileage.  Asking price is only $3000.00.  Call 692-1716 to make an appointment to enjoy this sparkling gem.

I got Randy’s attention and pointed at the ad and looked at Witt.  Randy whispered, “It’s worth a look see.  Call the number and make an appointment to go see it.”

I picked up the phone and dialed the number.  A voice answered, “This is 692-1716.  How may I help you.”

“This is Hank Adler. I just saw your ad saying you were interested in selling a car.  Could we schedule an appointment to come and look at it.”

“Well, I don’t know Henry.  Do you have time to come look at it now that you‘re collecting boys?  Your Mother tells me that you’re going to have to add on to your house, if you get any more boys.  When am I going to meet this new hunk of yours?”

“I’m sorry to seem impertinent, but to whom am I speaking?”

“Henry, I’m crushed.  I’ve known you since you were born.   Heck, I’ve seen you naked more than a few times.”

“Aunt Della?”

“Probably, since I sure don’t look like Groucho Marx.  How soon can you be here?”

“Aunt Della, we’ll be there within the half hour.  We need to put on some city slicker clothes.”

“Who is we?”

“You said you want to meet my new hunk.  We’ll be bringing our oldest charge with us.  See you shortly.”

When I hung up Witt was pouting, “How come Dad Randy is a hunk and I’m nothing but a charge?  I think I’ll stay here and sulk.”

“Get your going to meeting clothes on.  Wade and Walt, you’re in charge.  We’ll stop at the Subway shop and pick up sandwiches for lunch.  Any special requests.”

Wade shook his head, “Since we don’t know what is available, why don’t you surprise us.  We’ll eat anything, as long as it’s not still bleeding.  Is there anything you want us to do while you’re gone?”

“Nope, you know what has to be done as well as I do.  You might take the portable phone with you if you‘re going to be outside.  Some people may be calling about jobs or possibly renting the trailer.”

I did remember to put my checkbook in my pocket, just in case I would need it.  On the way to town, we stopped at the hatchery and made arrangements for them to deliver 500 peeps on Friday.  I was driving and when I pulled up in front the Mrs. Rhodes house Mother saw us, “Henry, you overshot the house.  That’s Della’s house.  Where are the rest of the boys?”

“Mom, they’re home taking care of the farm.  We’re here to see about possibly buying Aunt Della’s car.”

“Henry and Randall, I don’t approve of your youngest sons being home alone.  I’d go take care of them if I didn’t have to work the church booth at the carnival.”

“Mother, why are you working the booth at the carnival?  What do the proceeds of the carnival go toward.”
 

“Henry, you have to be getting senile.  The carnival over the Fourth of July weekend is a way for the community organizations to make some money each year.  It has been taking place for over twenty five years.  You need to bring the young guys to have some fun.  In fact, bring them after you do the afternoon chores and your Father and I will spring for them to have a good time.  Gotta go, so I’m there for the lunch rush.”

After Mother had backed out of the driveway, we walked to the front door of Mrs. Rhodes house.  Aunt Della answered, “It’s about time you got here, Henry.  I’ve been waiting so long that the moss is growing between my toes.”

Witt started to laugh and Aunt Della looked miffed, “What’s so funny, young man?”

I hugged Aunt Della, “Aunt Della, the laughing hyena is Witt Latham.  As I said on the phone, he is the oldest of our new charges.  We’re going to make it legal after the holiday for them to live with us permanently.  The other gentleman is Randy Taylor, my new hunk, as you called him.”

Aunt Della hugged both guys, “As you guys are going to find out, I’m a touchy feely person.  It’s a pleasure to meet you.  Let me show you the crate that you wanted to see.”

Aunt Della looked at me and spoke with her eyes.  She looked at Witt and arched her eyebrows as if asking, ’Is this car to be for him?’

I nodded yes, and she grabbed Witt’s arm. “Come on, let me show you the merchandise.”

As we were going to the garage, Witt asked, “Mrs. Rhodes…”

“Look, stud, if we’re going to be friends, call me Aunt Della like Henry does?”

Witt finished what he started to say, “Aunt Della, what’s wrong with the crate as you called it, and why are you getting rid of it?”

“Witt, it’s not the old crate that has a problem.  It’s this old battleaxe that has the problem.  The ophthalmologist told me that I needed to stop driving before I killed myself or, even worse, others.  My eyes have degenerated to the point that I cannot see things clearly, or at all.  He says I have macular degeneration whatever that means.”

When we walked into the garage, there was a blue metallic Camry sitting as if was still in the showroom. Witt asked, “May I touch it and look at the engine?”

“What’s the matter, stud?  Don’t you trust me?  The keys are under the driver’s seat.”

Witt climbed in the car and turned on the ignition so he could read the odometer.  He opened the hood and the engine was spotless.  Aunt Della nodded, “Witt, why don’t you take the hunk, Randy, and go for a spin to make sure that the jalopy is operational.”

I looked at Randy and Witt and nodded.  After they had departed, Aunt Della started on me.  “Henry, I really like both these two gentlemen.  Are the others as pleasant as these two.”

“Aunt Della, I can assure that you will fall in love with all seven of the other young men when you meet them.”

“Henry, I find it fascinating that all of a sudden you find yourself the Dad for eight young men.  I sure thought that you were going to be a bachelor for life, after what happened to Ron.  I can hardly wait to meet the rest of your family.”

Our conversation was interrupted by the return of Witt and Randy.  When Witt climbed out, he remarked, “Dad, I really think you should buy Aunt Della’s car.  It runs as if it were new.”

Aunt Della leaned over and whispered, “Witt, still doesn’t have an inkling that the car is for him, does he?”

I whispered, “Aunt Della, the Latham boys have never had much and they really haven’t asked for anything.  The same is true of Randy’s two boys.”

Aunt Della announced so Witt could hear, “Henry, I’ll cut you a deal.  Write me a check for twenty five hundred and Witt can drive his car off the lot.  That way I won’t have to put up with a bunch of people trying to haggle with me over the price of the old crate.”

I pulled out my checkbook and wrote a check.  Witt stood there looking very, very white.  I handed the check to Aunt Della.  “Witt, take the license plates off the vehicle.  We can’t have you driving around with Aunt Della’s plates, and getting traffic tickets.  After you get that done, we need to sign the title, since you’re under 18.”

Witt started to stammer, “Bu-bu-bu-.”

Randy took over, “Witt, do as Dad Hank told you to do.  I’ll help you and we need to make an In-Transit sticker so you can drive the vehicle until we can get it registered in your name.”

Aunt Della and I watched as Witt was taking off the front license plate.  Even though he wasn’t openly crying there were tears streaming down his cheek.  He looked at Aunt Della and me as if to ask, ‘Am I dreaming?’

After the paperwork was signed, I suggested, “Why don’t you two head back to the farm and I’ll stop and get the sandwiches I promised the boys.  I’ll see you in a few.”

After Randy and Witt had departed, Aunt Della hugged me, “Henry, you found two diamonds there.  Are Witt’s brothers and Randy’s sons as refreshing as Witt?”

“Aunt Della, you will love them all to death.  They have all led a life that afforded them very limited experiences compared with what other young people have had the opportunity to experience.  We’ll have to have you to the farm to meet them.  Mother has dictated that they are to go to the carnival as her and Dad’s guests tonight.  None of the Latham boys has ever been to a carnival.”

“Oh my stars.  Surely you jest, Henry.”

I assured her that I was not joking.  I told her about the morning conversation.  She shook her head in disbelief, “I’ll have to tag along with Meg and Leon.  I’ve got to meet these young people.”

To be continued...

Editor's Notes:  Hmmm, I'm not sure that I am reading the right story.  No one is yelling at Hank, except his mom. 

Aunt Della is a real treasure.  Witt is in shock.  The younger boys are going to have kittens, when they find out that they are going to get to go to the carnival.

I hope the Corn boys will be able to stay and join the family at the carnival, as well. 

I never realized how easy it was to pick up chicks. I am sure that Billy and Bobby will be telling the chicks that they don't want to hear a peep out of them.  I think getting peeps is an egg sell lent Idea.

I'm ready for a new chapter.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 09/17/10