What Do I Do Now, Mom?
by: E Walk
(© 2009-2011 by the Author)
 

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Chapter 52 

Dog On the Horizon

Walt’s dinner was a hit.  I watched to see what the five youngest would think about the macaroni and Waldorf salads.  No one complained and Wylie looked at Walt, “This apple stuff is really good.  It has fruit, vegetables and nuts in it.”

Mother laughed, “Wylie, everyone makes Waldorf salad differently.  I don’t usually put celery in it, but it does make a nice change.  I usually use grapes instead of raisins.  The nice thing about Waldorf salad is that it’s good leftover.”

Aunt Della nodded, “Some people add chicken and it’s all they have for lunch, since they have meat, fruits, vegetables and nuts.  Of course they have some fancy fattening rolls with it.  That doesn’t bother you young people, since you could eat fancy rolls all day and not get fat.  Walt, the chicken was wonderful.  It was fried just right and it wasn’t greasy.”

After dinner, Aunt Della, the parents, Randy and I were sitting on the patio, since it was a pleasant evening, while the guys were doing the dishes.  Aunt Della asked,  “Guys, what’s going to happen when school starts.  Hank, it’s going to be different now that you’re going to be a principal.  How are you going to be able to get everyone where they need to be during the school year?”

I answered, “Fortunately, the young people will be able to take the buses to and from school.  Of course, Witt has his car and can take Walt and Wade to school.  But there could be some complications, since Wade wants to play football and Walt told me today for the first time that he wants to be in the band.”

Randy interrupted, “I never even guessed that Walt was interested in music.”

I laughed, “Neither Witt or Wade are aware of Walt’s interest in music.  He kept it pretty much under wraps because he was afraid as to how his father would react should he find out.”

Of course Mother had to have her say, “Henry, what are you going to do about Walt being in the band.  You would be doing him a big disservice if you didn’t let him at least try.”

“Mother dearest, I plan to let him try it and see if he likes it as much as he thinks he will.  It may complicate our transportation, but we do have three drivers in the family.  Plus Sarah, Jake and Tim can help if they are available.”

Aunt Della shook her head, “The Hughes girls are going to be having activities of their own, so you can’t count on the Hughes to do too much.  Tim’s football practice starts tomorrow.  You’re going to have a scheduling nightmare.  You need at least one or two more drivers.  When does Walt turn old enough to get his drivers license?”

I do know that the three oldest boys were all born in September.  Walt will turn 16 the first part of September, I can’t tell you the exact date.  We’re going to have to make a list so we can remember when all the boys’ birthdays are.”

“Henry, why do you make me do all your work?  I’ll go find out when their birthdays are?”

Mother departed. “Come on, Randy, we have to take care of the poor principal.  He’ll forget to get all the birth dates so we need to do it for him.”

“Aunt Della was laughing, “Meg never changes. Hank, I want you to be on the lookout for a car for Walt so he can have it in place when he gets his license.  That will alleviate some of your problems.  Make sure it’s something he likes and I’ll spring for the cost.”

Dad reacted, “Della, you don’t have to pay for a vehicle for our grandson.”

“Leon, I can spring for the cost of a car if I want to.  These boys remind me so much of my son.  Hank, I forbid you to let any of the boys go white water canoeing.”

The silence was broken by Wiley, “Grandma Della and Grandpa, the strawberries are ready.  You better come and get some before the big boys eat all of them.”

Aunt Della looked at Wiley, “I guess you were whipping the cream?”

“Tim was helping me, but he put the mixer on high and the milk went everywhere until Grandma showed us what to do.  Daddy, why can't they make chocolate whipping cream?”

That had Dad and Aunt Della laughing.  I tried to think of an answer that was appropriate, “Wiley, cows don’t give chocolate milk.  We would have to put some cocoa or chocolate syrup in the cream.  But it doesn’t really go with strawberry short cake.  We’ll make chocolate whipping cream to frost your birthday cake.”

Wiley asked, “Are we going to have a party?  I’ve never had a birthday party.”

Dad asked, “Wiley, when is your birthday?”

“I heard Witt tell Grandma, that my birthday was August the first.  That’s why I can’t go to kindergarten this year.  I was born too late.  I’m glad I get to go school where Miss Sarah is going to teach, so I can learn something, like the big boys,”

It was awfully quiet in the dining room with fourteen of us eating strawberry short cake.  Wylie broke the silence, “Grandma, that was really good.  Can we make strawberries for on top of ice cream some time?  I think that would taste good.”

“Would you like that for your birthday dessert?”

“No, Daddy said that he was going to make me a cake with chocolate whipped cream frosting for my birthday dessert.”

As we were walking the parents and Aunt Della to Dad’s car, the boys were thanking them for coming.  As they were pulling away, Aunt Della reminded me, “Hank, keep your eyes open and call me if you find anything that you think is appropriate.”

Mother called out, “Henry, call me.  We need to talk.”

Everyone was settled for the night when Randy and I decided to retire and practice our skills at making love.  After we were down from the mountain peak, so to speak, it suddenly dawned on me that I hadn’t heard Jake and Sarah return.  I looked out the window toward the trailer and a car was just pulling in beside the trailer.  I looked at the clock and it said that it was eleven thirty.

I crawled back in bed and cuddled next to Randy, “I think your apprentice might be a little tired, tomorrow.  They’re just getting home.”

Randy hugged me, “None of us are going to be worth anything unless we get some sleep.  Now go to sleep.”

I was awakened by some voices in the hallway.  I threw on my robe and went to see who was up.  When I walked into the hallway, I saw Billy, Bobby, Walt and Wade going down the stairs.  Billy looked up at me, “Dad Hank, is there anything you want us to do today?”

“William, you guys know what needs to be done more than I do.  I’m becoming spoiled by you guys doing all the work that I used to do by myself.”

Walt replied, “Yeah, and we’re getting spoiled by having a nice home and lots to eat.  What time do you want to leave town?”

“Why don’t we leave about nine o’clock.  That will give everyone time to be organized for the day. 

Wade asked, “What time are we supposed to meet your Uncle Mark?”

“I’ll call and check.”

I went into the kitchen.  Witt and Tim were each eating an English muffin with peanut butter.  I shook my head, “Guys, that’s not going to last very long.”

Tim answered, “Mr. Adler, if I eat any more, I’ll probably throw up.  The coach doesn’t understand taking it easy.  I’ll probably be so tired when I get home today that I have to crawl up the stairs to go to bed.”

I looked at Witt, “And what’s your excuse?”

“It’s too early to start breakfast.  Besides, when school starts, we’ll have to be ready to roll early.  We’re going to have to eat on the run.”

“Wrong, Mr. Latham.  Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  You need to eat a good breakfast to keep your energy level up.  Tim, do you have money to buy something substantial to eat after your football practice?”

“Yep, Billy, Bobby and Wade gave me some money for helping them on Saturday, but I get a voucher to eat in the cafeteria after practice, the next two weeks, as part of my scholarship program.  That may change if anyone were to find out where I’m now living.  I need to go or I’ll be late for the first day of practice.  I have a big final test today in one of my courses, and the coach will probably be p.o.’d that I’m going to have to leave practice early.”

Witt and I watched as Tim pulled away.  Witt looked at me, “Tim has it all together, doesn’t he?”

“Tim is making the most of his abilities.  He’s had a difficult life, like you and your brothers and sisters have had.  He was lucky that he had someone like Jake and Sarah.”

“Dad, they were lucky to have him around to help when Miss Sarah was so sick, too.”

We heard some footsteps on the stairs.  Randy came in and got a cup of coffee.  “Is everyone up yet?”

“The four middle guys are doing the chores.  Tim has already left for college.”

Billy came tearing in the door, “Dads, one of the cows is having twins and is having a hard time.”

“Billy, go tell Mr. Hughes what’s happening.  He can probsbly take care of the problem better than I can.”

Billy ran to the trailer and exited with Jake.  Jake and  I went to see what the  problem was   It was really an easy fix and two male calves were going to be monopolizing the mother for several weeks.  Jake looked at the two calves. “They look as if they will be good beef cattle.  They’ll make a lot of good hamburger.”

Billy was practically in tears, “We just got them born and you’re already planning to kill them.”

Jake put his arm around Billy, “Son, I was teasing.  You can’t become too attached to the animals, because most of them are going to be eaten by someone, someday.  The horses are safe from that problem, and so would dogs and cats be, if there were any on the farm.”

Billy looked up at me, “Dad Hank, I really think we should get some cats.  I’m sure there are some mice around.  I’ve seen signs of their droppings.  We probably should get a dog, too.  That way the dog could alert us if some strangers were coming when we were in the barn.”

I started to laugh, “Billy, I can see it now.  Since there are eight of you boys, you’ll each want your own dog and then the four Latham girls would each want one, and then we would have fourteen dogs running around the farm terrorizing the animals.”

“Nu uh, we’d train them to behave.”

Jake looked at me and winked, “I think it would be a good idea to get a dog.  That would give Wiley something to do that he was responsible for.  All the other boys are too busy to take care of a dog.”

“Uncle Jake, you’re being mean.  If Wiley is responsible for the dog then he’ll probably listen to only Wiley and ignore the rest of us.”

“Who says that it’s going to be a male dog?”

Billy didn’t bat an eye lash, There aren’t any girls living in our house so it would have to be a boy dog.  You and the girls can get a girl dog if you want one.”

As we were eating breakfast, Billy was beguiling with the possibility of getting a dog so Wiley would have someone to take care of, along with Hector the chick who had a broken wing bone.  Hector would follow Wiley whenever Wiley was inside the chicken fence.

The three teenagers and I left to run our errands at nine o’clock.  We met Uncle Mark at the court house. The county attorney’s office confirmed that the boys did not need a license to run a roadside stand, as long as  it was on our personal property and the goods that were being sold were all produced on the farm.  I looked at the young lady who was helping with us, “Could you please get us a written notice to that effect, since a county commission and an operator of a produce stand both tried to tell us we needed a license.”

The young lady laughed, “I guess you’re talking about Mr. Raven and his lady friend, Ms Jones..  If you will wait a minute, the county attorney will gladly sign a letter that says you are running a legitimate operation.  Mr. Raven has been making complaints, because your small operations are cutting into his profits.”

The three boys and I were standing at the counter discussing what we needed to do the rest of the morning when the young lady returned, “Oh good morning, Mr. Raven.  I’ll be with you as soon as I finish with Mr. Adler.  Mr. Adler, the county attorney wants to thank you for bringing your problem to his attention.  Here is your authorization to operate a produce stand on your personal property, as long as the produce is grown on the farm and operated by residents of the farm.”

“Thank you, Ms Baxter.  Come on, guys, we have a lot to do this morning.”

Ms Baxter looked and Mr. Raven, “Mr. Raven, what can I do for you?”

“Never mind.   Adler, you won this round, but I’ll find a way to get even.  There is no way that you’re making any profit at the prices you’re charging.”

“Mr. Raven, you forget, I don’t run the stand, the boys do, and they don’t get a wage, as your people do.”

“So, you saying that you’re running a slave operation?”

Wade’s fist were clinched so tight that his knuckles were so white that I was sure that he was going to cut off the circulation, “Mr. Raven, Dad Hank has nothing to do with the finances.  We share the profits we make, eight ways.   We decide when it’s open, but Dad has stipulated that there has to be an adult in the area to make sure we’re okay.  In fact, we’re on our way to buy cell phones so we can be in touch with someone at all times.  Perhaps we should start advertising the prices we charge and really put the screws to your operation.”

I grabbed Wade’s arm and shook my head no to let him know he shouldn’t say anything more.

As we were leaving the courthouse, Uncle Mark was walking beside me, “Wade, really surprised me with his outburst.  He’s always seemed like the quiet one.”

“Uncle Mark, I’m constantly learning new things about all eight of our guys.  Thanks for coming to the courthouse with us.  I’ll talk to you later.”

We stopped and got each of the guys their own cell phones.  I decided to buy a spare one for Randy.  When we stopped at Kohl’s, I simply instructed the guys, “Guys, get the clothes that you need to start school.  We can always get more things later when we see what's fashionable.”

Witt shook his head, no, “Dad, there is nothing fashionable about what guys wear to high school.  The sloppier the better.  I think that the guys all buy their clothes from second hand stores, so they have more money to smoke or do drugs.”

I acted as if I hadn’t heard Witt, “Since I’m paying for these clothes, I want these carts full when you come back.  I’m going to sit and read the paper while you do your shopping.”

I opened the paper to look for used cars for Walt’s birthday and I saw an ad, ‘Moving.  Must get rid of one year old golden retriever.  To schedule an interview, please call, 291-6006.’

I called the number and a young voice answered, “This is Hank Adler.  I’d like to schedule an appointment to interview for the golden retriever.”

“Mr. Adler, this is Amy Saddler.  “Remember me?  You were my kindergarten teacher.  When would you like to come to interview?  My family is being transferred to Japan.”

“Amy, I remember you.  I didn’t know that your family was being transferred.   How about if I stop by about three o’clock, with the little boy who would be the dog’s master?

“Let me check with my Mother. …. Mother says that would be fine.”

“See you then.”

To be continued...

Editor's Notes:

Oh my goodness, I love golden retrievers.  Well, Labs and shepherds are nice too.  In fact most breeds of dogs, are good pets.  Some dogs are smarter than others, but they tend to be very good protectors of children.  Dogs tend to give love unconditionally.

That creep, Mr. Raven is a real piece of work, isn't he?  I sure hope he gets his comeuppance soon.

Mother needs to take a chill pill. She never seems to be satisfied. With anything Hank does.  I am sure that she really does love him, but the way she acts around him, you would think that she has no respect for him at all. 

I have a feeling that she is like a lot of mothers.  My mother was kinda like that.  Nothing I ever did was good enough to please her.  I think she figured that if she complimented me for anything, that I would get a swelled head. 

I never did all that spectacularly in school, mostly because I was bored to pieces.

I usually got Bs and As with a few Cs in between, but no matter what I got, I never got a positive result from my mother.  I was always being told that I could do better, if I would just try harder. 

One semester, I actually applied myself, as she always said I should, and managed to get an A in every subject.  Do you know what she said? 

Did she say, "Well, that was very good, I'm proud of you?"

No!  She said, "Why can't you do that all the time?"

It was about that time that I decided that I would never be able to make here happy, no matter what I did, so I sort of started paying attention to what I wanted, and to heck with bothering trying to please her.

She often scolded me for paying more attention to science fiction, instead of studying more important things. 

Am I bitter?  Sometimes, I wish I'd bit 'er.   I know that's not grammatically correct, but it didn't make nearly as good a pun to say 'had bitten her'.

Darryl AKA the Radio Rancher

Posted: 03/04/11