Date: Tue, 3 Apr 2007 07:24:31 -0700 (PDT)
From: E Walk <cane_lane_candy@yahoo.com>
Subject: The Doctor Gets a Visitor Chapter 19

The Doctor Gets a Visitor
Chapter 19 -- Dinner and Shopping
Written by E Walk
Copyrighted by the author
Edited by Radio Rancher

Jeff returned to the kitchen and had everyone working.  When we had
finished our drinks, Spencer and Toby took the glasses to the kitchen.
They came back and announced, "Dinner is ready." and they escorted the two
ladies to the table. The five of us sat down and Drew brought the bread and
Kenny brought a big salad.  They disappeared back into the kitchen, and the
four guys came back carrying bowls of soup.

When everyone sat down, Jeff said, "Let's all hold hands, while I say a
short prayer.  Our Father, we thank you for this food and the special
friends we have here with us.  Please bless us all and help us to be the
best we can be. Amen."

I looked around the table and almost everyone had a tear in their eye,
especially Tyler and Spencer.  Jeff started to eat his soup and everyone
followed.

"This tastes like onions." Toby said with disdain.

"Toby dear, this is French onion soup, and it is some of the best I have
had since I was in Europe.  It sure didn't come out of a can."
Mrs. Tillison admonished.

Everyone cleared their bowls and Jeff got up and started to the kitchen
with the empty bowls and Drew, Kenny and Tyler did the same.  They came in
with plates of pasta with a white sauce.  Jeff said, "Everyone start
eating."  He poured a glass of red wine for the three adults.  When he got
to Spencer, he said, "I don't think you would like this, but why don't you
smell it."

Spencer did and all he said was, "Yuck!"

Jeff did the same to Toby and the others and they shook their heads no.
Jeff left and came back with a bottle of sparkling red grape juice and
poured the five of them each a glass.

The salad and the bread were passed around and everything just seemed to
disappear.

"I thought spaghetti always had red sauce." said Spencer.

"I did too." said Toby.  "This is great.  It even has shrimp in it."

At that point Mrs. Tillison decided it was time for her to interject.
"Tyler, why were you and Spencer living in that awful building downtown and
why on earth did you come to Fremont?  I don't think you are from here, are
you."

Everyone stopped eating and turned to Tyler.  He began, "It's a long story,
Mrs. Tillison."

"We've the got plenty of time, Tyler.  Just tell us the abridged version
and we can get all the details later, but I really do want to know them."
Mrs. T. said.

Tyler began, "Our family lived a good life on a farm outside of Scribner.
I was planning to go to the University of Nebraska at Lincoln this fall.
It was on the 20th of July that everything changed."

"Spencer and I were out in the field cutting some hay when I saw a funnel
cloud heading right at us.  Fortunately, there was a cave close to where we
were working.  We made a dash and got back as far into the cave as we
could."  Tyler was interrupted by Spencer.

"I was so frightened that I wet my pants.  Ty just held me as close as he
could and said, `We'll be fine, my man.'  When the roar had stopped, we
went out, but the tractor and the wagon we were working on were gone.  We
walked back to where our house and barn had been, but there was nothing
there."

Tyler picked up the story.  "We tried to find our parents, but it was like
they had just disappeared into space.  There was an older couple who lived
across the road from us, and they had disappeared also."

"The entire town turned out to help look for them, but no one could find
any remains.  Everyone pitched in to pay for a memorial service."  Tyler
sighed.  "The bank repossessed the farm, since there were no remaining
buildings or livestock.  Basically, Spencer and I were homeless.  The town
tried to help us, but we needed to get away from the horrors, and so here
we are being taken care of by our guardian, Jeff, tonight." Tyler said,
quietly.

"Hey, you could do a lot worse.  Just because he is demanding doesn't mean
he doesn't like you.  Like Kenny said earlier, he only wants us to not be
ordinary."  Drew said.

"Enough talk everyone.  Finish eating.  We have some serious shopping to do
after dinner, before we have our banana split dessert."  When everyone
finished eating, Jeff ordered, "Toby, go get the timer on the kitchen
counter please."

Toby came back with the timer and handed it to Jeff who set it and it
started ticking.  "Okay, Toby and Spence, go watch some more of Spiderman
until the dinger goes off.  Then get you little bottoms down here and put
your coats on." Jeff ordered.

He turned to Drew and said, "Go get three cups of Lemon Lift tea for the
adults please, and bring them into the living room and then help Kenny and
Tyler with the dishes.  I am worn out, and need to talk with my Dad.  I'll
be in when you are done, to make sure that you did it correctly."

Everyone reacted and Jeff and I escorted the two ladies to the living room.
Once he was sure everyone was out of hearing range, he said, "I think we
should have a surprise birthday party for Tyler tomorrow, and include
Spencer.  I doubt very much if either of them got any presents for
Christmas.  I don't think they have more than one change of clothes with
them."

Jeff stopped to breathe and then asked, "Where do you propose we take
them?"

Mrs. Tillison thought for a short time and said, "I think that we should
take them to Farmer Brown's in Waterloo.  What do you think Jack?"

"I think that would be great, and it would be even better if we could get
one of the private side rooms." I answered.

"Jeff, get me the phone and a phone book please, and I'll call them."

Jeff got the phone and she called.  When some answered, she said, "This is
Mrs. Tillison.  Is Mr. Wylie there please? ... Thank you."

"Howdy Gene, this is Aggie.  Do you have a party room open for tomorrow
night at say 6:30?  .... Right now there are only nine but I have a feeling
that number might increase significantly.  .... I'll let you know the final
number tomorrow by three.  We will all have the medium cut of prime rib
with a baked potato and spaghetti.  We'll have the house dressing on our
salad and plan on giving us some of those wonderful fried vegetables with
cheese sauce.  We also need a big cake that says Happy Birthday Tyler."

"Yep that's correct.  Sounds good Gene, and make sure that only I get the
bill for the evening.  Oh, by the way, would it be okay if I brought some
wine for those who want it?" she asked.  "Great, see you tomorrow night
Gene."

She turned to the rest of us, "They can take up to twenty five people in
the room if we want.  I just need to let them know how many people there
will be by three tomorrow afternoon.  Now Jeff, please get my purse in the
hallway for me."

Jeff went to get her purse and handed it to her as the two ten year olds
came bursting down the stairs with the time.  "Time's up, Jeff.  What are
we going to do now?" Toby asked.

"What was the second part of the instructions I gave you?" Jeff asked.

"Oh yeah." they responded and went to get their coats.

"Spencer and Toby, come here please." said Mrs. Tillison.

They went to her and she handed them each a $20.00 bill, "I want you
gentlemen to buy Tyler a neat birthday gift.  Now Spencer, you go tell the
guys in the kitchen to motor."

"Yes ma'am."  he said as he stuck his money in his pocket.

Mrs. Tillison turned to Toby, "I want you to buy a nice gift for Spencer
too since he didn't get any Christmas presents."  She handed him another
$40.00.

Toby kissed her and said, "Thanks Grams."

She turned to Jeff, "I want you to take my car, since the six of you will
fit in it easier than your Dad's car.  Now ask Kenny and Drew to come in
here, please, but first here are my charge cards for Target, Gordman's,
Kohl's and my Visa card.  If anyone gives you a problem, have them call me
here at your house."

Jeff left and Kenny and Drew came in to Mrs. Tillison, and she said, "We
are having a surprise birthday party for Tyler and Spencer, tomorrow
evening.  I want the two of you to put your heads together and get them
each a nice gift."  She then handed each a $50.00 bill.

Jeff had been watching and said, "Let's roll, everyone."

The guys left and went to Target first, where they got six pairs of jeans
and everything else he would need for everyday, including underwear and
socks for Spencer.  They then went to the men's department and got Tyler
six outfits and the accessories that Tyler liked.  "Okay everyone; look
around to see if there is anything else you need, while I take Toby and
Spencer to do something.  We will meet the rest of you in twenty minutes in
back of the check out stands." Jeff said.

The other three guys left with the cart and Jeff asked, "Spencer, what do
you think would be a good gift for Tyler?

Spencer thought for a couple of minutes, "I think a little portable radio
that he could use in his truck would be nice, since his radio is broken."

"I think that is an excellent idea." Jeff said, as he led them to the
electronics department.

"Okay guys, look around and find something you think Tyler would like."

Shortly, Spencer came back to Jeff and asked, "Could you come look at this,
please, Jeff?"

He led Jeff to a boom box that played CD's and tapes and had an AM/FM
radio, and said, "This would be really great and we could take it to our
room in the evening and have music, since we probably won't have a
television."  Jeff looked at it, and said, "I think this would be a good
choice.  It can work on batteries, an electrical outlet, or the car
cigarette lighter socket in a vehicle."

"How much is it?" Spencer asked.

"It is $109.00."  Jeff answered.

Spencer looked like he was going to cry.  Jeff quickly said, "You guys give
me your money, and I'll pay the rest, and then we can say it was from the
three of us.  Okay?"

Spencer started to smile, but now Toby looked like he was going to cry.  He
went to Jeff and whispered, "If I give you all of my money, how am I going
to get a gift for Spencer?"

"You still have the money that Grams gave you to get his gift, right?  I'll
tell you what.  I am going to get that play station outfit over there for
Spencer.  Why don't you get two games for him to use on it?"  If it costs
more than you have, I will pay the difference, and you will owe me big time
brother." Jeff said.

"Okay men; let's take this radio to the checkout, before Tyler sees it."
They went to the check out station and the same young man who had been
there the first day.  "Hi, Mr. Wilson." he said. "How are you today?"

"We're fine, Joey." answered Jeff.  "Could you please process our purchase
quickly so Spencer's brother doesn't see his birthday present?"

"You got it, sir." the young man scanned the radio and then Jeff's card.
He quickly double wrapped the radio.

Jeff looked at the young man, "Joey, we'll be returning shortly with some
more things."

They went to the car and opened the trunk and pushed the radio to the very
back.  When they returned to the store, Jeff said, "Spence, go find your
brother and tell him to meet us here at the check out area in 15 minutes."
Jeff and Toby quickly went back to the electronics area.  Jeff got the Play
Station while Toby was picking out two games.  They went to Joey's check
out area and he had finished processing the purchase when Spencer came up
with Tyler.

"One more time, Joey."  Jeff said.  Joey started ringing up the purchases
for all the clothes that were in the cart. When the total came up, Jeff
said that Tyler and Spencer just gasped.  Jeff handed Mrs. T's card to
Joey, and he looked at it and said, "Mr. Wilson, I will need to clear
this."

Joey called the manager and when she came and looked at the card she said,
"Joey this is fine.  Mrs. Tillison called and said a Jeff Wilson would be
using her card tonight."

Joey processed the card and said, "Thanks for shopping at Target,
Mr. Wilson.  If you keep this up, you will own the store before you are
finished."  he laughed.

When everything had been bagged, Jeff said, "You men go take these to the
car and put them in the trunk.  Toby, you put yours in the back seat so you
can find it easily when we get back to the house."  He handed Tyler the
keys and then Jeff added, "I'll meet you in front of the store in five
minutes.  I need to find Drew and Kenny and tell them where we will be."

Jeff found the 16 year olds.  "Jeff, we have no idea what to get the two
guys."

Jeff said, "We just bought a boom box for Tyler.  Why don't you buy him a
couple of CD's you think he might like, and make sure you get a gift slip
just in case he doesn't like them and he can return them easily?  We got
Spencer a play station with two games so why don't you get him one of those
handheld Game Boys with a couple of cartridges.  Do you need anymore
money?"

"Nope boss, we got it covered." said Kenny.

"We are going to the Payless Shoe store next door, and then on to Kohl's.
Meet us when you are done." Jeff said.

Joey looked at him and asked, "Are you always telling people what to do?"

"Only when they want me to." Jeff answered as he left.

The other three guys had put the things in the car and were just walking up
to the entrance as Jeff walked out.  He led them to Pay Less, and said, "I
want you to find a pair of sport shoes, a pair of dress shoes and a pair of
casual shoes you like, and bring them back here."  He sat down.

A young man came over to him and asked, "Sir, may I help you?"

"Yes, we are going to need to get six pair of shoes as soon as the two
gentlemen find what they want.  I hope you will be available to make sure
they fit." Jeff answered.

Spencer came back, "Jeff, I don't have any idea what size I wear."

The young guy said, "We'll take care of that real quickly.  If you will
take your shoes off and put your foot on here, I will be able to tell you
what size to look for."

Spencer did as he was asked, and Mr. Tomlinson measured and said, "I think
a 4 ½ would be best, young man.  That will give a little room to grow."

Toby had been standing right there watching, and said, "Spence, leave your
shoes off, and let's find the right size and then you can try them on."

Tyler came walking up with three pairs of shoes and asked, "What do you
think, Jeff?"

"The question is not what I think.  The question is do you like them?"
Jeff answered.

"But I don't need three pair of shoes." Tyler complained.

"Did I ask if you needed them?  I think I asked if you liked them."

"Yes." answered Tyler, with a smile.  He realized that he had lost control
of the situation.  He tried them on, but the dress shoes were a little
large, and Mr. Tomlinson brought back a half size smaller.  Tyler walked
around in them and said, "These feel good."

Toby and Spencer came back and handed three pair to Jeff, and Spencer
asked, "Are these okay, Jeff?"

"I don't know.  Do you like them?  You had better try them on first, before
you decide."  Jeff answered.

Mr. Tomlinson helped Spencer try on the shoes.  He had him walk around in
each pair and then he asked, "Well young man, what do think?"

"I like them, and they feel really good." Spencer answered, and he looked
at Jeff and Tyler for their approval.

Jeff said, "Don't look at us.  It is your decision."

"I'll take them, sir."  Spencer said.

 The guys took all six pair of shoes to the check out stand, and Jeff
handed him Mrs. Tillison's card.  When it cleared, "Mr. Tomlinson said, "If
you gentlemen ever need anything, please look me up.  You certainly made my
day."

When Tyler saw the total, he leaned over to Jeff and said, "We can't afford
these."

"Did I ask you if you could afford them?  We already paid for them.  They
are yours now, so stop complaining."  Jeff smiled.

As they were getting ready to leave, Mr. Tomlinson asked, "Jeff, you are
the young man that sang on Christmas Eve at the church, aren't you?"

"Yes sir." Jeff answered.

"You sure do have a wonderful voice to listen to.  My mother thinks she is
in love with you."

Just then Drew and Kenny came in and said, "Mission accomplished. Where to
now?"


Editor's Notes: I think we have burned a hole in Mrs. T's credit card, but,
hey, I think she can afford it, and she wants to do all she can for the two
boys.  I think a Birthday party will be really nice for Tyler. And of
course Spence will have a good time too, as will all the guys.  This is
going to be really great fun.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Note: Be sure to check for this story and other stories at
www.tickiestories.us.