Hobby Shop
The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's
consent. Comments are appreciated at...
Chapter 7
After listening to Erik's description of the treatment of Tom by the market manager, Roberts sought out a new market that met his requirements for freshness of produce and seafood, and offered the finest in meats, including, to his delight, Black Angus beef cut to order. In turn, knowing the Harmons' reputation, the owner was delighted to offer his personal services at any time they might be needed.
Some six weeks later, a full page ad in the local paper announced a going-out-of-business sale, the manager stating that he was unable to explain the sudden loss of the majority of their customers. Erik chuckled as he read the announcement, then laughed out loud when he saw an announcement that Riverdale Foods was purchasing the closing Market Plus store and would be remodeling it to the latest standards and decor. He took the newspaper to the kitchen and handed it to Roberts, pointing out the two ads of interest.
Roberts smiled broadly as he read. "I believe you mentioned that he said you had no way of hurting him, sir. I wonder how he feels about that now?"
"Most likely he doesn't even remember the incident. That type never do. I hope you are happy with Riverdale's goods?"
"Quite, sir. Their beef is superior and the freshness of their produce cannot be surpassed. The only reason I didn't patronize them before is because their location was quite a bit out of the way from here. Now that they're moving, I shall request a monthly running account, if that meets with your approval."
"Of course. Do whatever pleases you, Roberts. Derik, the boys and I are the ones who benefit most."
"Most kind of you, sir. If I might, I should like to hire an apprentice chef. I still enjoy cooking for you and the others, sir, but with my arthritis there are days I can scarcely manage."
"Dear God, Roberts, don't hesitate an instant. Start searching immediately. You know that Derik and I wanted you to retire long ago and relax, and to enjoy your life with Lang."
Roberts smiled wanly. "How I wish I had followed your advice, sir. I shall always treasure those times with him at the cabin before he was taken from me." His smile widened a little. "Had you told me I would enjoy fishing, sir, I would have accused you of prevarication, however being in the boat with Lang, whether or not we caught anything, remains among my most precious memories."
Erik patted him on the shoulder. "I'm certain. But remember that your 'family' loves you and not just for the superb meals you always prepare, but for being such a kind and loving person when we are in need of comfort."
Within a few days, Roberts, protesting loudly that he was unaccustomed to the luxury of the new Bentley, was driven by Ned, the new chauffeur and general assistant at the museum, to Charlotte and the campus of Johnson-Wales culinary institute.
He was soon seated in the office of the principal and stated precisely the requirements he had established as basic to anyone he hired. To his shock, the principal smiled broadly.
"I believe I have the perfect candidate for you, Mr. Roberts. He has been an excellent student, but, I fear, one on the verge of being dismissed from this institution."
"If he is so good, then why would you dismiss him?"
"He is perfectly capable of producing haute cuisine, however he demands to be allowed to cook in a plain and unimaginative manner. Since you indicate that he might be cooking for a number of boys in addition to his employers, I feel he is uniquely qualified for the position you mention." The Principal glanced at his watch. "It is just lunch time. Shall we go down to the dining room. I will have Bratton's entree for you to sample, if you wish."
After they were seated, the Principal waved over one of the teaching chefs and they listened to the recitation of the dishes prepared. They ordered and the Principal pointed out the serving of fresh green beans with sun-dried canberries. "That's an example of Bratton's work."
Roberts tasted the beans and smiled. "Nicely done. I would never have thought to add sundried cranberries to beans, though. They add a subtle touch of sweetness."
The Principal shook his head. "The beans are too done, not tender crisp as they should be."
"My employers would not care for green beans prepared that way. It is for certain the boys would declare them raw and not eat them." He nodded. "Would it be possible to speak with this young man?"
"Of course. If you offer him employment, I'm certain he will take it, because he is already aware that Friday is his last day here." He beckoned to a passing chef. "Ask Bratton to come here immediately."
Roberts was immediately impressed when he saw the nice looking young man walk proudly across the room, ignoring the smirks and snickers of his fellow students.
"Bratton," the Principal began, "this is Mr. Roberts, head chef for a private family who have several young men living with them. He wished to employ someone with what, I believe, are your preferences in food preparation."
"Indeed, young man. Your green beans are excellent, cooked to prefection with the delightful addition of the cranberries. If the rest of your culinary skills match this and I am assured that they do, then I am prepared to offer you immediate employment. You salary will be above average and your living accommodations and meals will be on site. The main kitchen is professional in every respect, but there is also a reasonably large kitchen in our employers' home, which is where most food prep takes place. The big kitchen is used primarily for large receptions and banquets held in the museum. You will, of course, be under my supervision, especially until you learn our employers' preferences. I do hope you like young men, for there will be a number of them running around. After school snacks would delight them, but these should be infrequent. Questions?"
Bratton looked at the Principal. "Is this on the level, sir? I mean I know why I'm being expelled."
"Quite legitimate, Bratton. You may leave immediately, if you wish, and work out the details with Mr. Roberts."
So it was that Bratton rode in the Bentley with Roberts and established himself in the Harmon household.
Roberts had always made much of the guys, cooking, in so far as possible, things he knew they would enjoy. So the twins had some reservation as to how Bratton would fit. To their surprise, it was not long before the boys had cleaned and repainted the old gazebo by the small lake at the far end of the mansion's garden. The reason became quickly apparent. Each day when the boys returned from the Academy, they immediately changed into their casual clothes and formed an orderly line at the kitchen door of the guest house. With a broad grin and jokes, Brat, as he was affectionately known to one and all, handed out snacks and drinks which the boys took to the gazebo to enjoy, frequently joined by Brat.
Brat tapped at the twins' suite door early one morning. Derik sleepily opened the door to see Brat's somber face. "Yes?"
"Sir, Mr. Roberts has not come to the kitchen. I'm afraid something has happened because he always comes for his tea soon as I start breakfast."
"Thank you. Brat. Erik and I will go to his flat as soon as we can get dressed."
Both men were devastated by the passing of the kindly man who had been with them for almost long as they could remember. It has been said that bad things come in three's, and so it seemed to them as they were barely over their grief when Erik gave Danny, who had complained to him of being constantly tired and occasionally light-headed, a physical to find that he suffered from a failing heart. Barely a month later, he too passed.
The twins did their best to comfort Mike, their second father, dreading to have to endure the loss of him when the time came.
Without their consant attention, new arrivals to Harmon House came to a stand-still. They also found that Rick and Tom, now seniors in high school were acting as house parents for the younger ones. This awareness spurred Derik and Erik into action.
"Not to worry," Derik told his brother. "The small problem I had at the plant last week was a recent college graduate I hired as a personnel counselor. He told me in the beginning that he didn't want to work with adults since his degree is in child and adolescent psychology, but I thought he might enjoy the challenge. He didn't, so, much as I hated to, I had to let him go. Anyway, I still had his file on my desk, so I gave him a call this afternoon. He's found only temporary work, so he was delighted to take the offer I made him. He'll move into the house tomorrow for a two week trial."
Erik shook his head. "How the hell is it that you're always so lucky finding people just when we need them?"
"Maybe it's Pop-pop and Dad helping us along. We have rather neglected the operation of the home and that wouldn't please them a bit."
Don was so happy and energetic, it carried over to the boys. Grades rose even higher and complaints ceased except for those directed at the omnipresent homework.
The years passed, boys came and went, Mike tragically passed as the result of his car being hit head-on by a heavy truck while he was returning from a late meeting. Their mourning finally over, Derik and Erik handed the operation of Worthington Industries over to Rick who had obtained his doctorial degree in management, and retired to place their attention on the boys. Tom had his degree in adolescent guidance and became parent of the boys in the second house.
Within a few months the need had grown enough that houses three and four were under construction. Erik placed ads with the university's psychology department, but left the interviews of the applicants to Derik. "No, bro," he said when Derik protested, "you are much better at this than I am what with having done some of the hiring of kids for management positions. I'm just a simple quack who has done just one interview in my entire life. God how we depended on poor Roberts for so many things. I still miss him terribly."
"So do I, but he found a real jewel in Brat. He's almost as good a cook as Roberts was, and far better with the kids. If he wasn't such a good cook, I'd offer him a job as house parent, not that I think he would take it, but the kids would probably go on a hunger strike. Despite the additional boys we've had come in, the food budget hasn't increased enough to notice and I overhear the boys bragging about the good food and treats they have."
"I was told once in med school, that if you keep a kid's belly full and give him an occasional treat, he will stay happy. I guess that's true to a certain extent."
"Don't discount love," Derik said quickly. "You've seen how a few of the guys have developed completely new personalities simply because they know they're loved. I just wish we could love them like they were our own children, but you know what the religious fruitcakes would say about that. I guess we get away with as much as we do because we're separated from the community."
Erik grinned. "And you're smart enough to hold that annual open-house at the museum for the social set and politicians so they convince themselves they've really gotten a look at our operation. I'm glad you talked me into that."
Derik was happy he had demanded a resume of each applicant for house parent before requesting an interview, for the head of the psychology handed him eleven resumes with a smile. "I'm glad it's you having to make the choice, because I took the liberty of weeding out a number I knew would not be suitable for the position."
"And I thought I was over spending my evenings studying this sort of thing when I finished your course." He waved the handfull of paper. "Every night for the next week just for this." He shook his head. "I hope the personal interviews go faster."
"They will. You were my star pupil at interviewing. Good Luck."
With the help of the security office at the plant doing background checks on the eleven applicants, seven were eliminated from consideration. The final four caused Derik several sleepless nights. Finally, he coerced Erik into interviewing them as well.
Erik disliked one on sight. They agreed completely on another, and finally chose between the last two by flipping a coin. "Hardly a scientific method of selection," Erik remarked.
"No, but at least the winner is the one I had a slightly better feeling about. I think our choices will work well with Don as senior counselor."
The two new house parents quickly settled into their jobs.
To be continued ...
Feedback always
welcome:
Posted: 06/06/08