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

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Chapter 36 

The Interviews

I stopped at the Subway Shop that was on the way out of town, looked at the menu board and went to the starting point.  The young man looked at me, “What will you be having, sir?”

I shrugged my shoulders, “I’d like six of the twelve inch sandwiches.  What kind do you sell the most of?”

By the time I’d paid for my order, “I felt I had been grilled by the Gestapo with all the decisions I had to make.  When I paid my bill the young lady asked, “Sir, do you need help out, with your order?”

 

I looked at the young gal, “Do I look that old and feeble?”

“Not at all Mr. Adler.  If you’re going to eat all these sandwiches by yourself, you’re going to get extremely heavy.”

“I have nine other people, at least, who are probably waiting for my arrival.  Should I know you?”

“Mr. Adler, I was in your first kindergarten class.  I’m Betsy Roy.  I’m going to be a junior, next year.”

“Betsy, you’ve changed a little since then.  I guess I am getting old.  Maybe I should take you up on your offer to help me out.  Betsy, it was nice talking to you.”

When I arrived at the farm, the guys were indeed waiting for my arrival.  Not only were our guys waiting, but Ritchie, Aaron and Eric were already there.  I looked at my watch, ‘Did my watch stop?’

Witt met me at the car, “Dad, please don’t ever blindside me again like you did today.  My stomach is still turning flip flops.  How am I ever going to be able to repay you?”

I hugged Witt, “Look, kid, who mentioned anything about repaying me.  Let’s put the food on the table so the vultures don’t attack.   We’ll talk about this, later.”

Witt was prepared.  He had a cutting board and knife with a plastic glove.  He started to cut the sandwiches in fourths.  Wade challenged him, “Witt, why are you doing that?”

“Wade, our eyes are bigger than our stomachs.  This way, if you’re still hungry, you can come back for more and we won’t waste a lot of food.”

As we were starting to eat, Walt announced, “We’ll probably be having some visitors shortly.  Right after you left this morning, a Mr. Hastings called and said that he and his friend would be here at one o’clock to discuss the apprentice plumber’s job and the possibility of living in the trailer that was for rent.  I told him that I knew nothing about the plans that you had, and that you weren’t here to say if it was okay for them to come at that time.  He told me that I was to tell you that they would be here.”

Wade nodded, “I had a call, too.  The man was very polite and asked when it might be convenient for him and his wife to come and talk to you about the plumber’s position and renting the trailer.  I suggested that you would probably be home by three, since Dad Randy was going to be working on the plumbing, this afternoon.  I hope that was okay?”

I grinned, “Guys, you did fine.  It will be interesting to meet the two parties.  At least we know that we have some people who are interested in the plumber’s position and renting the trailer.”

I was just about finished eating when Wylie came and sat on my lap, “Daddy, my tummy is kinda full and is starting to hurt.  Do I gotta eat all my sandwich?”

“Wylie, you did a good job.  You shouldn’t eat any more, or you might get sick and that wouldn’t be any fun.” 

Wylie looked at me, “But, Daddy, we were always hungry at our old home.”

“Wylie, this isn’t your old home.  If I have anything to do with it, you’ll never be hungry again.”

Wylie leaned back against me, “Daddy, it’s okay for me to sit on your lap, isn’t it?  It feels so good to know that someone loves me.”

I took a deep breath, “Son, Daddies need to know that people love them just like you do.”

Witt started to stand, “I’ll take care of the cleanup, since I skated all morning.”

The tranquil scene was interrupted by the arrival of an old station wagon that was packed so full, the driver couldn’t possibly have seen anything in the rear view mirror.  We watched as two men climbed out of the vehicle.  The driver looked to be about 30.  He had an unkempt beard and his arms were covered with tattoos.  The other man looked to be about twenty and his clothes looked as if they had been painted on him.  There is no way he was wearing any underwear.  I swear that every detail of his anatomy was on display.

We heard the younger man say, “Lambkins, I’m gonna love this place.  There’s a lot of delicious eye candy for me to enjoy.”

“Sweet Lips, you shouldn’t talk like that.  You promised that you would keep your pants on.”

Randy and I looked at each and Randy shook his head no.  I put Wylie down and went to intercept the visitors.  Randy must have passed the word and the young guys disappeared into the house.

“How may I help you gentlemen?”

The older man answered, “We have an appointment to take the plumber’s apprentice job.  We would like to get settled in the trailer as soon as possible.”

“Excuse me, Lambkins.  I’m the owner of this farm and I did not make an appointment for you to take the job.  There is no way that I would trust you around our sons, after the remark that Sweet Lips made about eye candy.  I suggest that you get back in your vehicle and leave the premises.  Randy, get the license plate of the vehicle, while I call the sheriff’s office and report that we have some unwanted visitors.”

The two men hightailed it to the station wagon.  Sweet Lips flipped me the bird as they were pulling away.  Randy handed me the license number.  I went ahead and called the sheriff’s office.  “This is the Sheriff’s Department, Officer Andrews speaking.”

“Andy, its Hank Adler.  We were just visited by two unsavory characters, looking for a job and a place to live.  They left, driving an old model maroon Ford station with Missouri license plate number 683-796.”

“Hank, thanks for the heads up.  We’ve had reports of a vehicle matching that description being seen at several convenience store robberies in the area.”

After I hung up, Randy started to laugh, “Hot Lips, what are you going to do about your problems.”

I feigned being insulted, “You just wait, Lambkins.  After we get the boys settled tonight, these hot lips are going take care of you.”

Billy appeared, “Daddy, the guys are waiting to get started on the plumbing.  Dads, those two people made me feel funny.”

I hugged Billy, “Billy, they made me feel like I needed to take a bath.  Go ask Witt to meet me in the den.”

Witt came into the den, “What’s the problem, Dad?”

“Witt, have you been keeping track of how many hours Ritchie, Aaron, and Eric have been working?”

Witt shook his head, “No, but I think Dad Randy has.  I’ve seen him writing in a little book.  Do you want me to go check?”

“Please.”

Witt returned with three sheets of paper, “Dad Randy says that this is current, as of today.”

“Why don’t you run a total on the hours? I’ve never had to manage a payroll before.  I need to check on what I need to do.” 

I called Blake and Kenny’s number and Blake answered, “Blake Young speaking,”

“Blake, it’s Hank.  I have a question about payroll, to ask you.  How do I go about taking out deductions for social security and taxes from the wages of the guys who have been helping around the farm?”

“Hank, you’re talking to the wrong person.  When I opened my business, I decided that I would let an expert handle the office’s finances, including the payroll.  You need to talk to an expert and get their advice.  I can give you the name of my accountant.  But I know for a fact that he’s not working today.”

“Thanks, Blake.  Speaking of business, while I have you on the phone, would you schedule us for ten appointments.  Let me check something with Witt.”

“Witt, when was the last time you and your brothers were to the dentist?”

Witt started to laugh, “Are you kidding?  Our father thought going to the dentist was a waste of time and money.  I’ll bet I can count on my fingers the number of times the six of us have even been to see a doctor.  We always went to the free clinic for our shots and illnesses.”

“Blake, set up ten appointments for us, in the next month, if you can, so we won’t have to miss school this first time around.”

Blake chuckled, “Since you have three drivers, I’ll try to cluster the appointments into three groups.  I’ll have my receptionist call you tomorrow and tell you when your appointments are scheduled.”

After I hung up, Witt put his arm around my shoulder, “Dad, I know for a fact that Ritch, Aaron and Eric already have money at their disposal, as do Walt and Wade.  When Mr. Rollins and Mrs. Hamilton paid me, I gave them what I thought was a fair share, since they had to help take care of the boys while you and I were skating.”

I looked at him, “Witt, if you have some money, then why are you so against letting your brothers enjoy some new experiences?”

“Dad, if we start giving in to their every whim, they’ll expect that they will get everything they want.”

Ritchie knocked, “Mr. Adler, Dad and Mother sent this check to cover the food for the boys' spending so much time here.  You’re to give whatever you think fair to Witt to be divided between Walt and Wade as he sees fit.  Mr. T., would like to ask your opinion about something in the master bathroom.  I think he needs you to help him go to the bathroom.”

Ritchie and Witt were giggling as I went to see what Randy needed.   When I walked into the bathroom, Randy, Aaron and Eric were doing something on their knees.  Randy moaned, “This stupid thing still isn’t going fit into this opening.”

I asked, “What’s the problem, guys?”

Randy was shaking his head, “According to measurements, this shower stall should fit into the opening.”

I grinned, “As long the shower works, we can always jerry-rig something.   Put up one of those metal rods and I’ll buy a clear shower curtain so we can check out Eric and Aaron to make sure they aren’t hiding something.”

Eric giggled, “Mr. Adler, you’re thinking like a teenager.  You should be ashamed of yourself.”

“Guys, quit for today.  There’s always tomorrow, we’ve been directed to appear at the carnival at six, and we have another interview, shortly.”

Bobby called up the steps, “Dads, Mr. and Mrs. Wallace are here to talk to you?”

Randy patted Eric and Aaron, “Thanks guys, we’ll tackle this monster tomorrow.  See you tonight, at the carnival, I guess.”

I looked at Randy as we were going down the steps, “After this afternoon, I have no idea what to expect.  I hope we aren’t doomed to being inundated by weirdoes.”

I was not prepared for the sight that Randy and I encountered, when we entered the living room.  All eight of our guys plus Ritchie were there talking to a young couple.  When we entered the room, Witt stood, “Mr. and Mrs. Wallace, these are our Dads.  Dad Randy, who is on the left, is the Master Plumber.  Dad Hank is a principal at one of the local school districts, and owns this farm.”

After the formalities were over, I looked at the guys, “I think you might need to take care of the chores early, tonight, since we have to be somewhere at six o’clock.  As soon as you finish taking care of the animals, please take a shower and put on clean clothes.  They don’t need to be fancy, but you probably should wear jeans.”

No one gave me any grief as they cleared out.  “Jake Wallace shook his head, Mr. Adler, I can’t believe that no one questioned that they had to leave.  The boys told us a lot in the short time we were talking to them, before you arrived.”

Eric and Aaron Corn came down the steps; Aaron spoke for the two of them.  “Mr. A. and Mister T., we’re going to leave now.  Mr. T., I think I figured out what the problem is.  We may have to do some carpentry work before we can get the monster to fit as it’s supposed to.  We’re going to go talk to the guys.  Witt warned us not to talk about what’s happening tonight in front of the other guys.  See you tonight.”

Sarah Wallace asked, “Is there always this much activity around here.  You certainly must never get bored.”

“Jake and Sarah, I can honestly say that my life has been completely turned upside down in the past month, since I met Randy.  It’s a long story, but I don’t think that’s why you’re here.  Jake, why is it that you’re interested in becoming a plumber?”

“Mr. Adler, I tried to be a farmer and failed.  Farming is all that Sarah and I have ever known. I know that I can’t ever be a farmer again, because there isn’t a financial institution around who would back us now that we‘ve declared bankruptcy.”

 

“Jake, stop being so hard on yourself.  Mr. Adler and Mr. Taylor, we did have a farm and were seeing it prosper until I developed ovarian cancer.  The costs were horrendous and even though we did have insurance, the costs were so high that medical people were hounding us for additional money that we didn’t have, and the bank foreclosed on the farm and left us nothing.  And before you ask, I’ve been assured that I am cancer free, but that I will never be able to have children.”

I stood, “Randy, why don’t you take Jake and Sarah and show them what Jake would be learning to do.  It’s too quiet.  I think I’d better go check on the guys, to make sure that everything is okay.”

I went outside and was standing there trying to assimilate everything that was happening.  Wylie came and hugged me, “Daddy, are you okay?”

I picked him up, “Wylie, I’m fine.  I’m just resting my mind.”

“Me too, why do we gotta take a shower and get dressed?”

“Where are the other guys?”

“They told me and Witt to get lost cause we were getting in their way.  Why do they treat me like a baby?”

“Wylie, they aren’t really treating you like you’re a baby.  They just want to make themselves seem like they're the bosses.”

“Daddy, are Mr. and Mrs. Hugs going to live in the trailer?  I really like them.  They didn’t make me feel funny.”

“Wylie, I don’t know if Mr. and Mrs. Hughes will be living here or not.  Dad Randy is talking to them, now.  We’ll have to wait and see.”

Wylie kissed me, “Daddy, put me down, even though I don’t want you to.  I hear some people coming and they’ll think I’m a big baby.”

I watched as Wylie scampered toward the storage shed.  ‘Why is Wylie becoming attached to me, while the other Latham boys act as if I don’t exist?  What are we going to do about the Wallaces?  I need time to talk to Randy, but when?’ 

To be continued...

Editor's Notes: I believe that Wylie is still at the age where he feels free to express his love for other people, especially those who treat him with respect. Randy and Hank both treat him like he is worth something, and he knows they love him.

The older boys probably know that Hank and Randy love them, too, at some level, but they have had more years of living without any sign of affection from their father, or anyone else, besides, maybe, Witt.  They have started to steel themselves to a life where no one is allowed to love or be loved, or at least, I don't think they really expect any affection from anyone.  Deep down, they probably think all this kindness that Hank and Randy are showing them will evaporate and leave them high and dry, again.  I believe it will take them a lot longer to actually trust anyone, completely.

Jake and Sarah seem like really nice people. I hope that they will be staying.  I kinda have the feeling that they will.  I think they will fit right in, and pretty much become part of the family, in very short order.

What will Hank's mother think of this new couple?  I guess only time, and more chapters will tell us, won't it?

I am ready for more. 

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 09/24/10