Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2007 18:47:36 -0700 (PDT)
From: E Walk <cane_lane_candy@yahoo.com>
Subject: Pinochle Chapter 10

Pinochle
By E. Walk
(Copyrighted by the author)
Edited by Will B.

Chapter 10 -- Getting Ready For Ithaca

This is Knock.

To say that I am overwhelmed by everything that has been happening would be
an understatement.  It wasn't so bad when it was just Ben's family, but now
we seem to be the focal point for a lot more people.  I guess it is a good
thing that Ben and I aren't going to be around much longer, or people might
begin to realize that Ben and I are probably more than just good friends.

Brian was standing there, "Come on guys, let's go.  Mr. Garrison left with
our Granddads and Grandma Ginny."

Brian was talking about sports and things that were like Greek to me the
entire way to the club.  As we were getting out of the car, Brian turned to
me, "Knock, you had better be ready to answer a lot of questions."

As we were entering the dining area we were met by Mr. Edmond, both of the
guys greeted him, "Hi Uncle Mitch, where are the parents hiding?"

Mr. Edmond escorted us to a small private room behind the buffet.  Brian
said, "I guess it is just the immediate family plus a few others today."

Ben's Dad came over to us, "Ben, I think that you need to introduce Grant
to everyone, even those people he has met before.  That might assist him in
remembering their names.  He has met a lot of people in a short period of
time."

Ben started with his Grandmother Renee Gleason and Mrs. Ginny Powers who he
referred to as Grandma Ginny since she was Uncle Jason's Grandmother.  The
next person was Doctor Ben Jameson, who was Uncle Jason's Granddad.  When
he introduced the next gentleman, it was evident that there was a special
feeling between Ben and him.  This is Dad's father, Dr. Josh Benson.  We
call him Granddad so that he and Grandpa Ben know who we are talking to."
I had already met the next group of people.  I greeted Uncle Jason and Aunt
Cindy Jameson and their two children Ricky, who was 14, and Ginger, who was
12.

Doctors Jack and Tommy Wilson shook my hand and Tommy asked. "Am I seeing
just Ben at 7:30 in the morning or both of you?"

Ben laughed, "Doctor Tommy, it's going to be both of us.  My case is more
critical than Grant's."

Doctor Tommy threw up a beautiful smoke screen, "Good then I'll start
making sure that you two gentlemen have the shots you need for your trip to
England and for college.  Make sure you bring your shot records."

Brian interrupted, "I guess I had better come with them to make sure my
shots are up to date since I'm chaperoning them on their trip to England.
Since Mother and Lauren and I are going to be covering for them when they
go to Ithaca, I'll just go to work with them so I can find out what it that
I am going to be doing while they are gone."

Ben finally stopped front of the last person, "This is T.J. Wilson.  He is
Uncle Tommy's son.  He just graduated from Stanford and has been accepted
to the Creighton Medical School this fall."

T.J. had a very strong handshake.  He spoke very quietly, "It's good to
meet you Knock.  I must say this; you two make a very handsome couple."

Brian and Ricky were standing there laughing.

Before they could make a comment, Ben's father interrupted, "Brain and
Ricky, please go help your Grandmothers through the buffet line."

The two fourteen years did as requested.  Ben looked at T.J., "Where are
J.T. and Andy?  They are always around when you're home?"

"They went on a vacation to Washington, D. C. with Uncle Drew and Uncle
Kenny.  They are going to spend three weeks touring the Northeast and the
Midwest." T.J. replied.

Everyone else was starting to eat when Ben, T.J. and I went through the
buffet line.  We were seated in small square arrangement, so it was easy
for everyone to talk.  The three of us had just begun to eat when the
questions started.

Grand Renee started, "Grant, I don't remember seeing you around before now.
I didn't realize that Gregg had any children."

Brian spoke up, "Grandma Renee, Grant grew up in a wooded area and he only
arrived to live with Mr. Garrison last Monday."

Ben's Dad looked at Brian, "Brian, Grant is capable of speaking for himself
so be quiet."

I was almost at a loss for words, "Ma'am, everything Brian said was true.
I moved in with Dad last Monday which was the same day that Ben started to
work for my father.  It was like a magical force had arranged for me to
meet Ben and then find out that both of us would be attending Cornell
University in the fall."

I took a deep breath, "I have had to rely on Ben to teach me about city
life, since it is an entirely different way of life for me."

Brian leaned over to me and whispered, "Well said.  I was watching Ben's
crotch to make sure you didn't tell a lie."

I looked at Brian and whispered, "Maybe you will resurface in Antarctica
and be walking like a penguin."

Brian looked at me and started to laugh and whispered, "Well a penguin
would be better than walking like a duck like Ben yesterday morning."

The rest of dinner was rather uneventful.  When everyone had finished
eating, Ben's father stood, "We want to thank everyone for coming.  We need
to get back to the house so we can make plans for our trip to Ithaca next
weekend.  You are more than welcome to join us."  He turned Mitch, "Mitch,
you know the routine.  Make sure everyone is well compensated.  Brunch was
wonderful as always."

Everyone had started to disperse when T. J. asked, "Guys, would you mind if
I listened into your planning session.  I think Dad is tired and wants to
take Grandpa Jack home so they can rest and get caught up on some
paperwork.  Besides they will be seeing you first thing in the morning."

Ben shrugged his shoulders, "We're not hiding anything, please feel free to
join us."

Brian announced, "Ricky and I are coming too.  We don't want to miss
anything in our education into the world of human sexuality."

I thought T. J. was going to split his pants from laughing so hard.  After
everyone arrived at Ben's parent's house, the only persons missing from
brunch were Doctor Tommy and Doctor Jack Wilson.  Ben's father gave Lauren
the keys to his van and some money; she took off with Morgan and Ginger.

It was like everyone was sitting around with bated breath waiting for the
meeting to begin.  Ben's father took charge, "I have chartered a small jet
to take us to Ithaca next Sunday.  We'll be leaving from Fremont at
2:00p.m.  I have made some appointments for you two guys at the University
which I will explain later.  I'll reconfirm the appointments on Monday
before your mother and I leave for Kansas City to meet with Zack.  We are
scheduled for three consultations.  I am not sure why we are going because
Zack and Mark are more brutal than we are."

Ben's father got a funny look on his face, "I just had a sudden thought,
T.J., you don't start medical school for two weeks, perhaps you could fill
in at the Toy Shop for Mr. Garrison.  Brian and Lauren are already
scheduled to replace Grant and Ben while they are gone.  I'm guessing that
Ricky wouldn't mind earning a few dollars also."

I was surprised at how easily T.J. acquiesced.  He perked up, "That would
give me something to do.  I'll probably be so busy watching to make sure
that Brian and Ricky don't screw up that I'll be the one who screws up."

Brian giggled, "Don't worry cous; we will make sure that you medical people
don't mess up too badly."

This is Ben.

I'm beginning to think that I am on another planet with everyone talking
like this in front of our grandparents and parents.

Dad went to get the phone and brought it back and turned on the speaker so
everyone could hear the conversation.  He dialed a number and a voice
answered, "This is Harley Gordon."

"Harley, this is Beau Benson.  I met you several years ago when my wife and
I were doing some consulting work in your fair city.  I have a couple of
favors to ask of you."

Mr. Gordon sounded surprised, "Beau, how could I forget you and your lovely
wife, Becca.  I remember that when you left this town last time some people
were standing on their noses.  How may I help you?"

"Harley, our son is going to be attending Cornell along with his friend
Grant this fall.  Grant's father, Gregg Garrison, is thinking about
relocating there so he can be close to the guys.  The five of us will be
arriving next Sunday about 7:00p.m.  Is there anyway that you could meet
us?"

"Beau, I don't have a car.  I could rent a van to take care of getting
everyone settled."

Dad was relentless, "Harley, I'll call and reserve two vehicles if you can
get to the General Aviation terminal.  You can be our tour guide."

Mr. Gordon interrupted, "Where will the five of you be staying?"

Dad was ready, "I reserved two double rooms at the Statler Hotel.  We just
realized this afternoon that Becca would be joining us.  The hotel told me
that these were the last rooms they had for the time period when we will be
there.  Is there anyway that Gregg could stay with you?  Since we will have
two vehicles, you and Gregg will be free to move about and you will be able
to join us when we are free."

Mr. Gordon laughed, "Gregg may certainly stay with me if he doesn't mind a
little clutter.  I'll take some vacation time from work."

Dad looked a little concerned, "Harley, are you sure our visit wouldn't be
an imposition?"

"Heavens no, it would give me great pleasure to show you around the area so
you can see the beautiful sights as you have time."

"Harley, there may not be much time to see the sights.  We'll be meeting
with the University President and the Board of Regents on Monday.  Grant
and Ben will be busy with testing, counseling and scheduling on Tuesday.
Becca and I have scheduled two consultations in the area for Tuesday."
Perhaps, there will be some time on Wednesday to look at the sights.  If we
don't get to see much on this trip, we will be making many trips to your
city over the next four or five years.  Now I'm going to put Gregg on.  He
has some things he would like to have your help with."

"Mr. Gordon, this is Gregg Garrison.  While we are visiting, I would like
to look for a condominium to buy.  I don't want to be responsible for the
yard work or the snow removal especially in upstate New York in the Lake
Region.  I'm also looking to open a small toy shop since I love to work
with children and I carve puppets."

Mr. Gordon was laughing, "Is there anything else you people want to cram
into three days?"

Brian interjected, "Uncle Harley, this Brian, Ben's brother, we'll send
smoke signals if we think of anything else."

Everyone was laughing, Dad said, "Harley, I know we have unloaded on you
and have asked you to a lot.  I'll send you an e-mail summarizing the
conversation.  If you encounter any problems, let me know.  Otherwise, we
will see you about 7:00 next Sunday evening."

This is T.J.

I'm a new person in this story.  I'm sitting here feeling like an outsider
looking in.  I have no real clue about what has been happening with Ben and
Knock except that they seem to have become very close in the short amount
of time they have known each other.

I looked at everybody, "I'm going to take Ben, Grant, Brian and Ricky for a
round of miniature golf.  I'll treat them to dinner at the cheapest
restaurant we can find.  Don't worry; I'll have the guys home before they
turn into pumpkins."

The five of us left in Ben's Mother's van.  We went to the best miniature
golf course in Fremont.  Talk about cut throat.  No one was willing to be
beaten.  When we finished, Brian had an ace on the last hole and when the
final scores were totaled, Brian had won by one stroke.

Brian fell to knees and touched the ground with his head.  Everyone was
standing laughing at his antics.  He didn't miss a beat, "I was just
demagnetizing the putting surface so it wouldn't interfere with the play of
others."

Grant and Ben picked up a kicking and screaming Brian and carried him to
the can the while Ricky and I returned to the clubs to the office.

When everyone was settled, I asked, Okay troops, where would you like to go
for our meal?"

Ricky spoke up, "Why don't we go to the Runza Shop?  We had a late big
brunch and we can fill up our tanks there."

We ordered our meals, which I paid for, and we had a lively conversation as
we ate.  I almost fell out of my chair when Brian offered, "Why don't we go
to Granddad Jack's house so that T.J. and Ricky will realize that I have
not been exaggerating about the size Ben and Knock's cocks?"

I started to laugh, "Brian, you could have used the term penises."

Ricky spoke up, "Yeah and he could have said peckers or dicks too.  Let's
go, I am a doubting Thomas.  No one can be as big as Brian claims Ben and
Grant are."

When we got to the house, I took them to Dad's and my bedroom.  "Okay men,
it's show and tell time."

This is Ben.

I was so embarrassed.  I couldn't believe my brother and cousins were doing
this to Grant and me.  I looked at Grant and he seemed to be saying, "Let's
do it and then maybe we can go home."

Grant and I dropped our dress slacks and were standing their in our briefs
covering our supporters.  Brian was laughing, "More, More, More."

Grant and I lowered our briefs and we were standing there in our
supporters.  Ricky walked around us looking, "Nice buns guys."

Grant looked at me and we dropped our supporters.  Both T.J. and Ricky
gasped.  Brian was having a field day.  "Okay, you two non believers, you
each owe me $100.00."

Grant and I got dressed.  I looked at the three guys, "You owe us three
hundred bucks each for the show tonight."

Brian didn't miss a beat, "I ain't paying.  There were no fireworks."

Ricky quickly agreed.  T.J. was shaking his head, "Guys let's go have a
drink before you go home.  I think I need a double scotch on the rocks."

Brian was watching, "Yeah, me and Ricky need one of them too, but could we
have a coke instead?  Benji would report me to the Dad authority if I had
anything stronger."

The five of us were sitting in the kitchen visiting, when Uncle Tommy came
in, "My, my, this certainly is a motley crew."

T.J. looked at his father, "Dad, why didn't you tell me that we had two
elephants in our midst?"

Uncle Tommy shook his head, "Doctor and patient visits are privileged
information and can not be shared.  I suggest that you young people get
home since it seems that you all have many things to do this week.  I'm
going to bed and Dad is already in his room."

I watched as Uncle Tommy left.  He was still a fine specimen of a man.  I
wondered to my self if he and T.J. were enjoying each other.  I looked at
T.J. and he had a funny look in his eyes.  I stood, "Okay guys, let's hit
the road.  T.J., thanks for a fun afternoon and embarrassing evening.  I
guess we will be seeing you this week for your training sessions.  Come on
guys, it's getting late."  We dropped Ricky off and then Grant after I made
arrangements to pick him up for the doctor's appointment in the morning.
Because Brian was with us, we didn't do anymore than say goodnight.

Brian chewed me out as we going to our house, "Ben, remember I know what
you and Grant have done so why didn't you even kiss him?"

"Brian, think about it.  Grant and I have the capability to communicate
even though we are physically separated.  We will be fine. Now go to bed.
I'll wake you at 6:30."

If you would like to read more of this story and other interesting stories,
you might want to visit www.tickiestories.us.


To be continued.

Editor's Comments: Hmmmm.  T.J. and Uncle Tommy?  Hmmmm some more.  Greg
and Harley?  What will happen next?  Who will be the next to hear, "Drop
those shorts, sports?"  And Brian winning by one stroke -- oh that was at
miniature golf?  My mistake.