Date: Sun, 30 Dec 2012 12:47:27 -0800 (PST)
From: Joe Collins <joecollins7420@yahoo.com>
Subject: Accidental Family  chapter 11

If this story is prohibited in your area, you are underage or gay sex
offends you, then please leave. If you are looking for hard core sex, you
won't find it here. This story plot and characters are fictional and any
resemblance is just a coincident. Please feel free to email me and be sure
to include the title in the subject line.  joecollins7420@yahoo.com


Now just sit back and enjoy!

Accidental Family
Chapter 11

School started. The twins were bubbling balls of energy and loved to
learn. After dinner, the family gathered in the living room and they got a
blow-by-blow account of what happened at school. Grandma seemed to enjoy it
the most. It was as if she was reliving her own school days just listening
to the kids. After the kids slowed down, Grandma had to tell about her own
school days and her early life in Fargo. Of course she added a little color
to her stories.

The entire family sat spell bound while Grandma was telling her story. Bill
remembered the story and wrote it down. After the first day, Bill started
recording Grandma's stories without her knowing. Then at night before
turning in, he would type the story.  It wasn't long before he had enough
material for a complete book. He enlisted the help of Gene. Gene wrote and
called Grandma's friends in Fargo and they started sending information and
pictures to him.

Between the two of them, they complied a master piece. They had access to
the large collection of Grandma's pictures and started putting them into
the manuscript. They enlisted the help of Grandma in identifying the
pictures and of course, this brought on another story.

They took the book to school and turned it in for a creative writing
project. The English teacher couldn't believe that the two boys had done
the whole thing by themselves and of course they received the highest grade
available. She encouraged the boys to have it published and even offered to
proof read it for them and to help get it ready for the publisher. She went
as far to help them get a copyright application.

Bill and Gene decided to use their own money and have a hundred copies
printed. They wanted to give family members and friends their own personal
copy of the book. They decided to have a birthday party for Grandma and
would make their presentation then.

They tried to be extra careful and not slip up and spoil the surprise. Gene
and Bill had the boxes of books delivered to school and their teacher
agreed to keep the books until they were needed. She wanted to have a copy
of her own and had the boys autograph it for her. She encourage them to do
the same for all the books.

Bill and Gene made arrangement with the Rev. Baker to use the Church for
Grandma's surprise party. They ran a article in the local paper inviting
the entire community to the party which would be a covered dish
potluck. They had the local paper print one issue without the announcement
of the party which would given to Grandma. They told the rest of the family
but they were all sworn to secrecy.

Bill and Gene actually planned the time for the party to fall on a
Sunday. Finally, the chosen Sunday arrived and the everyone at the ranch
went to church for the services. Grandma still had no clue but started
asking questions when they pulled into the parking lot and saw all the cars
there. Once inside, it was standing room only. However, one whole pew in
the front had been reserved for Grandma, her family, and adopted family.

The service was very short and the minister invited the whole congregation
to adjourn to the fellowship hall for a pot luck dinner. Now he had to
mention that this was being held in honor of Grandma, who would celebrate
her birthday on the following Tuesday.

Grandma was completely shocked and had no idea what was to
follow. "Grandma, the ushers will come and guide you to a place of honor in
the recreation hall," said the minister. Grandma was taken to the front of
the room and was seated on a throne, which had been decorated all in gold
streamers and silver paper. The whole hall glistened and looked like a
palace for a queen.  "I can't believe this is really happening to me. I
have never had a birthday party before. This is totally unbelievable. I
want to thank everyone. You have made me so happy!" Said Grandma with tears
rolling down her cheeks.

"If you think you are happy now, just you wait the best is yet to come. I
will turn the rest of the program over to the two young men who are
responsible for all of this. I still don't know how they actually pulled
this party off and for it to be a complete surprise for you Grandma," said
Reverend Baker. So I would like to call Bill and Gene forward to take
over. For once, I am tired of talking and I want to sit and get out of the
spotlight." A chuckle that rippled through the audience.

"Grandma, First of all, I would like to say that Bill is actually the one
who started this whole thing. He became snowed under and asked me to help
him. Together we were able to complete our little project. I must say this
is probably the first time when every family present will received part of
the gift intended for the birthday girl," said Gene. "So Bill, you can take
over now."

"Grandma, on behalf of your friends and neighbors in this community, your
family, and friends you left in Fargo all of whom contributed to the making
of your present. Grandma, I would like to present you with a book about you
life." Bill couldn't go on with his speech because the tears were rolling
down his face and he was all choked up. He just walked over and handed
Grandma her book.

Grandma looked at the title, "Duck, Duck, Goose and Other Memories of the
Good Ole Days" and the inscription on the inside cover written by Bill and
Gene. Tears started rolling again as she started thumbing through the
book. Soon there was not a dry eye in the crowd.

"Bill, said earlier that each family would get part of Grandma's
present. No, we are not going to tear her book up. Everyone will receive
their own special copy. Would the ushers please come in and distribute the
books. Please," said Gene. The entire audience stood and started
clapping. The ushers came in pulling little red wagons filled with books.

"Rev. Baker, would you bless the food now, I am just about starved," said
Bill.

"Before you do, Reverend, I would like to give my two boys a big hug and a
kiss. They have made this the best day of my life. Thanks! Boys, I love
you!" said Grandma. Again the room was filled with people with tears
running down their cheeks standing and clapping.

Rev. Baker, I would like to put you on hold for a few minutes longer. I
have an announcement that Bill and Gene don't know about. You see boys, you
are not the only ones with a secret. I sent a copy of your book to three
major publishers. I got a reply back from one of them, along with a
contract for you to sign and return. Then your book will be published and
put on the national market. You will be given a thousand copies to be given
to libraries, schools, boys and girls clubs and etc. Your choice!" stated
Liz, Bill and Gene's English teacher. Again the audience erupted into loud
standing ovation.

Finally, it became quite and Rev. Baker took the mike. "All I can say is
that I am glad that I am part of the group to witness the most wonderful
birthday party of all times. I would like to say that I have a birthday
coming up in about 6 months and I would like to ask Bill and Gene to plan
my party." chuckled Rev. Baker. He blessed the food and for the next three
hours, friends and family ate, visited, and celebrated Grandma's
birthday. The adults formed groups and were looking at the book and reading
excerpts from it. Older kids took the book and was reading to their younger
siblings and friends.  ***** The cross-country team was headed for the
state finals. The team members were walking on cloud nine. Not only was the
team in contention to win first place but several of the individual team
members as well. Bill and Gene were among them.

During the last practice session before the state meet. A terrible and
unexplainable thing happened. Doug and some of his cronies hid in the
bushes and had a wire stretched across the path the runners would be
taking. All the culprits had to do was lift the wire and pull it taut, thus
tripping a runner. Gene was the chosen victim since he was leading the
pack.

Gene went down with thud, screaming after he hit the ground. It was very
evident that he had broken his left leg. The rest of the team surrounded
Doug and his gang. The runners beat them to a pulp. The team proceeded to
strip the perpetrators of their clothes and used their clothing to tie them
to trees completely naked.

The police were called and were told what had happen. They were also asked
to bring an ambulance for Gene. The police and ambulance arrived. Doug and
his four buddies were arrested and Gene was taken to the hospital.

Bill called Greg and then followed the ambulance in his car to the
hospital. Greg arrived and signed Gene in for treatment and had him sign a
complaint against the gang. Gene had a broken leg but luckily it was not a
compound fracture. He would have the leg in a cast for a few weeks. The bad
thing, he would miss the state finals.

The entire cross-country team and coach were waiting for him at the ranch
when he arrived with his leg in a cast. The team was very down. However,
Gene soon had them laughing. "Look at this way. Worse case scenario. It
could have been my neck instead of my leg or it could have been one of you
and since you are all a bunch of wimps who knows what could have happen. I
want you all to know that I will be waiting at the finish line and everyone
who does not finish 1st is getting his butt kicked and more than his leg
broken," laughed Gene. "Sure, I was looking forward to the state meet but
it was not meant to be. I have the satisfaction of knowing that I hold the
district record for the fastest time plus I have several blue ribbons that
I won during the season. So I am not a complete loser. So cheer up, get in
there and kick butts at STATE! I will be happy to know that I was part of
the team that won state! No one can ever take my good memories away
 from me. Besides I need something to tell all my grandchildren. You know,
remember the `good ole days'!"  *****

The team took state and several of the individual members placed high
enough to get medals. As promised, Gene was waiting at the finish line,
cheering and celebrating with his friends. Gene was included in the team
picture that would be in all the newspapers in the state. In his heart,
Gene knew the team did their best and won in honor of him. He was very
proud to be a part of all this.  *****

Doug and his four friends were convicted of hate crimes and were sentenced
to the state reform school for the rest of the school year. Gene, however,
requested that the judge suspend their sentences and that they be given
community service instead. The entire audience could not believe that Gene
had made such a request. The judge agreed with the request. The entire
audience was stunned and shocked beyond belief.

"Your Honor, May I ask Gene a question, please?" Asked Doug.

"Yes, Doug, I will allow it. Just remember that Gene is under no obligation
to answer!" replied the Judge.

"Thank you! Gene, I would like to know why after all that I have done to
you, you would make such a request of the judge. I would think that you
would hate me enough to try to get even," said Doug.

"Just the opposite, I don't hate you at all. At one time, I was full of
hate and I felt the whole world was against me. I even considered
suicide. Two strangers took me and my brother and sister into their
home. They gave me a new life. I believe there is good in everyone and if I
can do just one thing to help an individual turn his life around and choose
the path toward a rewarding and a good life, then I am going to do
it. Doug, I think the five of you have made enough mistakes and each of you
have a heavy burden to carry on you backs. It will not be easy to forget
your past. However, I think that you can get rid of those monkeys, and can
live a productive and fulfilling life. I want to be there to help you along
the way," said Gene.

Bill stood and said, "I want to be there also." The whole cross-country
team and the coach stood and were applauding. Soon the entire audience,
including the judge and all the officers of the court were all standing and
applauding.

Gene walked to the front of the room and held his hand up for
silence. "Your Honor, May I suggest that instead of just some form of
community service such a picking up litter along the highway that Doug and
his friends be given a change to really help the community. The Boys and
Girls Club is always looking for volunteers. I think that these five young
men would be great. Maybe they can help a young boy or girl make better
choices than they have made. I would like to join them at the club and I am
sure that there will be several from the audience that will feel the same
way. Thank you!"

"Gene, I think that is a terrific idea and I so order. I have looked at all
of their academic records and I think that all of them would make good
tutors and mentors for the younger children. I am sure it can be arranged
for them to be given release time to help in the elementary school as
well. Before I close this session of the court, Are there any more
questions or concerns?"

"I have just one more statement to make," said Doug. "I would like to thank
this court for opening my eyes. I especially want to apologize to Gene and
all those whom we have harmed. I am looking forward to serving my sentence
with pride." Doug and the other four boys were now crying. Gene, Bill and
many others went to them and were now holding all five boys in warm and
loving hugs.

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