The Doctor Gets a Visitor
by: E Walk

(Copyright 2007 by the Author)
Editor: Radio Rancher
 

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

 

Chapter 21

Tyler Gets Promoted
 

Jeff got up at 5:00 and when he walked into the kitchen, the coffee was already brewing. Tyler was eating a bowl of cereal. "What are you doing up?" Jeff asked.

"I guess it's a hangover from farm days, plus I'm still upset about all of the things Spencer and I got last night." Tyler said, with tears in his eyes. "I think we should return them."

Jeff went over to Tyler, gently held his face and looked him in the eyes, "That's not an option. You are going to accept what was given to you, because you deserve it after everything you two have been through. Now finish eating and bring all of the new things down here, so we take the tags off and wash them. If you don't do it, I will. Do you understand me?"

Tyler looked at him and nodded that he understood. He started to put his bowl away. Just then Spencer came in with tears in his eyes. He looked at Tyler and asked, "Do we really have to return all of the things we got last night?"

Jeff jumped up and got down so he was at eye level with Spencer and took his arms, "Spencer, look at me and read my lips. There is no way that you are going to return one thing, unless it doesn't fit. I want you to go get all of your new things and bring them down here, right now, so I can take the tags off of them and wash them.

"Why do we have to wash them if they are new?" Spencer asked.

"We don't know who might have touched them, and they might have had cooties. Now move, mister, and you too, Tyler. Get the empty basket in the laundry room and bring down all of the things, and I mean all!" Jeff barked.

Both guys were coming up the stairs as I was going down. "Good morning guys." I greeted them.

The both glumly said, "Good morning sir."

I walked into the kitchen and asked, "What's going on? The two guys don't look very happy."

Jeff didn't answer my question and instead asked, "What are you doing up? I like to play with your, you know what, when I wake you in the morning. When Tyler and Spencer come back down, help them start taking the tags off their new clothes. I am off to get Kenny and Drew."

With that he was gone. I sat down with a cup of coffee and started to drink it. The two guys came in with the clothes. Tyler was carrying the basket and Spencer had his arms full. I handed Tyler the scissors and asked, "Do you need any help?'

"No sir." he answered.

"Doctor W., may I have something to eat?" Spencer asked.

"Of course you may; how about a nice gooey cinnamon roll?"

Spencer's eyes lit up and I showed him where they were and put one in the microwave. When it was warmed, I handed him a knife and fork and he started to eat.

"This is really good, Tyler. Do you want a taste?" Spencer asked.

"I had one yesterday and you are correct. They do taste wonderful. I already had cereal, and Jeff is fixing breakfast after we exercise." Ty answered.

Jeff came in followed by two very excited 16 year old guys. They had each gotten a chance to drive the Camry.

"Okay, exercise brigade, to the basement." Jeff ordered.

"Does that mean me too?" asked Spencer.

"Do you want to join us? Jeff asked.

"Sure." answered Spence.

We tromped down the steps. We did the stretching exercises and then started on the other exercises. Jeff added two more reps of each exercise. Kenny, Tyler, Spencer and Jeff completed each exercise without breaking into a sweat. Drew and I were able to complete everything, but we were pretty pooped.

"What next?" asked Spencer.

"What do you mean, Tiger?" Jeff asked.

"I thought this was just the warm-up stuff. Aren't we going to do any of the hard things?" Spencer asked

"Like what?" asked Kenny.

"You know, clapping pushups or pushups that you do with one arm, sit-ups like you are diving or floor touches where you put your hands on the floor." Spencer answered.

"Can you do all those things?" I asked.

"I can do everything but the one arm push ups. My arms aren't strong enough for those. Tyler can do them though." he answered.

Jeff took over. "Let's show them what we can do, guys. Are you in, Kenny? Kenny, Tyler, Spencer and Jeff got ready. "First let's do the five floor touches." Spencer put his whole palm on the floor and the others were able to get their knuckles on the floor.

Drew asked, "Doctor, the human body can't do that, can it?

"Drew." I answered, "If four out of six of us can, I guess the human body can."

"Five diver's sit-ups with toes straight and hold for five counts." Again all four guys did them without any problems.

Drew groaned, "They're going to try and kill us."

"Five clapping pushups." Jeff said. The older three made them easily. Spencer did three but couldn't continue.

Drew was shaking his head in disbelief.

"Good work, Spencer. Now let's see if we can do five one arm pushups." Jeff said.

Spencer tried but he couldn't quite do one. Kenny did two but then had to quit. However, Jeff and Tyler did five with no problem. Everyone started clapping but Drew said, "Doctor, I think you had better check those two to make sure they are human beings."

Everyone laughed and Jeff said, "You know the drill. Dad, to your bathroom, Drew and Kenny use the bath between the two bedrooms, and you Mr. Knight, use the bathroom in the hallway upstairs. Tiger, you and I are going to fix breakfast while they are making themselves beautiful."

"Everyone took off and did as they were told. When the doorbell rang, Spencer answered it and said, "Hi! Mr. Hendrix. Breakfast is just about ready. He looked up the stairs and saw the four of us descending and he added, "The guys are ready for work. May I take your coat?"

Mr. Hendrix looked at Spencer and said, "I think I will lay it on the chair here, since I'm not going to be staying long."

Spencer took his hand and led Mr. Hendrix into the kitchen. Jeff greeted him and said, "Good morning Mr. Hendrix. Here is your coffee, black I believe." He then turned to Spencer, "Tiger, would you put the toast and jam on the table please. Kenny and Drew, come get two plates of food and put them down for people." He then brought two more plates and asked, "Does anyone want anything else, before I sit down."

"Do you have any hot sauce?" Spencer asked, quietly.

Jeff brought back the sauce with his plate of food.

When he sat down, Drew asked, "What are these white, green and red things? The white ones look like onion."

Spencer said, "These green things are green pepper, the red is pimento and the white is onions. They are used to give things extra flavor."

"If you don't want your eggs Drew, I'll eat them for you." Mr. Hendrix said.

"No, I'll eat them. I am just not use to all this fancy food. Jeff sure does find different ways to make things interesting." Drew answered.

Drew started eating and cleaned his plate, as did everyone else. Jeff got up and refilled Mr. Hendrix's and my cups of coffee. Mr. Hendrix stood and announced. "I have some things to say: Item number one; I am placing Mr. Knight in charge of the work crew here. Since he will be residing here tonight, he and the guys can finish whatever needs to be done in the morning if necessary. Also make sure that you work around the movers."

"Item number two; starting now, Tyler, you will receive foreman's pay of $14.00 an hour. I will be putting you in charge of small projects at first, to prepare you for larger jobs."

"Item number three; Mr. Washington, I would like to offer you a job where you would work a schedule similar to Kenny's."

Drew got up and shook Mr. Hendrix's hand and said, "I would love to accept sir. I wanted to ask you if I could have a job, but I was afraid to. Thank you sir."

Mr. Hendrix looked like he had tears in his eyes, but he continued. "Mr. Knight, I want you to bring Kenny and Drew to the office at three o'clock, so you can pick up your paychecks, and Drew can fill out the papers for employment at the same time. Now let's go see what still needs to be done."

The four guys left.

I got up and said, "I really need to get to work." I picked up my coat, went to the door and Jeff followed me out. He hugged me and said, "Don't forget to pick up the television and put in the trunk of the Camry. Love you, Dad."

He went back to the kitchen and Spence said, "I can handle the dishes, Jeff. You have enough work to do, otherwise." Jeff went into the laundry room and started a load of whites when Kenny came to him and said, "Dad would like to talk to you in the hallway."

Jeff walked into the hallway and Mr. Hendrix said, "Walk outside with me, please, Jeff." When they were standing on the porch, Mr. Hendrix continued. "Kenny told us the story of the two guys, when he got home last night. He said you were planning a birthday party for tonight. Could my wife and I attend?"

"Yes sir; that would be great." answered Jeff. "We are having a dinner at Farmer Brown's in Waterloo, wherever that it is, at 6:30 tonight. Mrs. Tillison is making the arrangements, but I am sure that there is plenty of room and the menu is set. She needs to tell them the number who will be attending by 3:00. I think Tyler would be really pleased if you could be there. Let me get the phone and you can call her."

Jeff went and got the phone and dialed Mrs. Tillison's number and handed it to Mr. Hendrix. The outcome of the conversation was that Mr. and Mrs. Hendrix would be joining us for dinner.

Jeff returned to the house and said, "Tyler, you help Spencer in the kitchen and stay there until I get there. I have a couple of questions." He turned to Drew and Kenny and said, "Take everything out of the room next to Dad's bedroom and put it in the garage."

Jeff went back into the laundry room and said, "Spencer and Tyler, come here please." The two guys came in and Jeff asked, "What's wrong here?"

Tyler and Spencer both got a funny look on their face and shrugged. Jeff didn't let up as he continued, "I know that there are a pair of dress pants and a sweater missing for each of you. I think there might be some other things missing as well. Am I right?"

Spencer started to cry and Tyler said, "We don't need all of those clothes."

"Wait a minute. You are going out to dinner tonight; tomorrow you are going to church and to a New Year's Eve Party, and you will be going out to dinner again on Saturday and to church on Sunday, followed by dinner. You need all of these and probably even more. I guess we are going to be busy doing laundry. I want all of the clothes down here now, and I do mean all, move!"

The door bell rang, and Toby walked right in and said, "We're here. Where is everyone?"

"Toby, I am in the kitchen. I'll be right there." Jeff answered. Jeff walked into the foyer.

Anita came in and said, "Jeff, this is Chris Waters. He will be taking care of the window treatments."

"Hi, Mr.Waters." Jeff said, as he shook Mr. Waters' hand. "You and Mrs. Thompson can go and do whatever you need to do. I suggest that you start on the two back bedrooms upstairs and the bedroom suite down here and the piano room first, since that is where the movers will be." If you need help or anything, just let me know. Mrs. Thompson, do you need to have things brought in?" he asked.

"Please." she answered.

"Toby and Spencer, front and center. Get your coats on and unload Mrs. Thompson's car. Put everything on the sofa in the living room." He turned to Mr. Waters and asked, "How about you, sir? Can we help you?"

"Yes please, and then I won't have to make so many trips." Mr. Waters answered.

"Ty, Drew and Kenny downstairs, now." Jeff called out. The three guys came down and Jeff said, "Guys, we are going to help Mr. Waters here, unload his vehicle to save time. We can put the items where ever he tells us."

The four guys helped Mr. Waters unload his vehicle. He had things so well marked and separated that it was easy to get the things to the proper room. When Jeff was helping Mr. Waters in with the last load, Anita came up and said, "Jeff, I still have a few more things to pick up. I'll be back this afternoon after the movers and Chris have left to finish up. Can I leave Toby here with you?"

"Of course." Jeff answered. "You still have the key, so in case we are not here, just come on in." She left and Mr. Waters went efficiently to work and completed the rooms in short order.

Jeff took time out to call President Campbell and accept his offer, "Sir, if I do something wrong, I want people to tell me, so I can improve what I'm doing. … Thank you sir."

To be continued...

Editor's Note:

Has Jeff ever done anything wrong? I sometimes think he is one of those people that always do things right. The funny thing is, most people like that are annoying, but Jeff seems to be able to do it and still be very lovable.

Darryl
AKA The Radio Rancher
 

Posted: 04/03/07