Date: Tue, 23 Nov 2010 14:32:21 -0500 From: Homer Simpson Subject: Devon's Lie 14 the usual disclaimer applies. Comments welcome, flames ignored. would have posted sooner, but nifty is telling me that a pdf format is unreadable by readers. Funny, see others post in html or pdf format? Eight weeks later, the four housemates are sitting around the kitchen table eating. "Now I need you all to listen and listen carefully" Paul said looking serious at the other three who began to squirm. They knew Paul rarely talked to them like this. Shivers ran down Devon's back. "Tomorrow around 9, there will be a big bus arriving. You three need to be respectful as you can to the occupants" "Who are they?" Sebastian asked. "They are very wealthy women who want to meet you three, so I need you to be on your best behavior, OK?" "yes sir" all three of them said. They spent the rest of the night in a somber mood not knowing what to expect the next day. They all went to bed without much conversation between them. Devon tried to get more information from Paul but had no luck. The next day arrived. Each of the children took showers, brushed their teeth and combed their hair. Since school has just let out for the summer the previous Friday, they had lots of time on their hands. Paul found them in the media room with Amanda playing her keyboards to headphones. Devon was on the pump organ quietly playing some music that Paul hadn't heard before. Sebastian was sitting anxiously near Devon. He never interrupted the boy but was watching and listening intently. Paul hadn't seen this much before. Actually Paul had quit his position at the institution to just become a consultant. The administrator wasn't happy but had to accept what was happening. Sebastian and Devon's eye's grew real big when a big black bus drove into the driveway. Devon froze in mid air before running to the bathroom. Amanda noticed the movement, removed her headphones and looked out the window. She stood and walked over near Paul. "Do I look OK?" "yes you look just fine Amanda. Just relax" "yes sir" Paul walked out into the yard near the front gate. Sonny and Cher had sat down behind him with Sebastian putting his hands on their heads. The big black bus turned its motor off and a generator began. Nothing happened for 5 minutes as Amanda and Sebastian grew more nervous. Finally the air compressors blew big noises and the door opened out and then up. A gray haired lady slowly descended down the steps and stood. She looked around the yard, out to the mountains and the concrete bench and back to the people. "Paul I presume?" "yes ma'am" "hmmm and this is Amanda and Sebastian. Where is Devon?" "He had to use the sh--uh--facilities" Sebastian offered turning red from embarrassment. "hmmm, is he a little nervous?" "I would presume so, ma'am" "I see. Well, let us go inside" "Right this way" The elderly woman walked with Paul into the house. The children began to follow but the woman stopped and told them to wait a bit and they would be sent for. Paul nodded to them. Each of the children held onto a dog. They were a little frightened at what they heard. The elderly woman took Paul into his study where they discussed the children. About 30 minutes later, the woman was walking out into the courtyard where the children instantly stood. She noticed no Devon yet. The woman walked to the big black bus and boarded it. Paul stood outside waiting with Amanda and Sebastian. About 10 minutes later the bus door opened and two women walked out. The other woman said nothing but used a cane. "This is Paul, Amanda and Sebastian. Devon has yet to make an appearance" "OK. Amanda, you will accompany me, Paul and Iris into the music room please. Paul, please lead the way" "Certainly ma'am" "Ma'am? Can that now and lets go!" Paul led them into the room. "Paul, pull that chair closer to the piano" Paul did and the two women sat down. "now, that's better, much better. Now Amanda, come here darling so I can study you properly" Amanda brushed her hair back with her fingers, put her head back and strode over to the women. She looked her dead on in her eyes, almost daringly. "Yes I can see the resemblance for sure. Now, don't be afraid, all will become clear in a little while but I have a few questions and a request" "yes" "I understand you have had no musical training on the piano. Is that right?" "yes ma'am, that is correct. None what so ever" "more of this ma'am stuff?" "It is improper to address one's elders, ma'am. Very disrespectful. I will not dishonor my parents upbringing, ma'am" "Oh, mannerly Iris! This is wonderful my little child. Will you play a hymn for me? It is on page 254 on that music book on the piano" "Certainly ma'am" Amanda said going to the piano. She turned to the book page she was instructed too. She looked it over for a few moments. They she began playing an interlude before actually playing the hymn. At the end she paused. "Again for ma'am?" "no that is quite sufficient and thank you. Will you send in the other?" Sebastian came into the room. Acting very bashful he walked over and stood before the strange lady. "Does he look like a miniature Devon, Paul?" "Very much so ma'am" "I see. I'm told that you play any stringed instrument. Is that true" "I try my best ma'am" "and are you doing OK these days?" "Truly good now. Doctor Paul has taken good care of us" "And since school is out, your doing even better?" Sebastian would only smile at this. he unconsciously patted Sonny on his head. "Very well, you can tell your sister that you can do what ever you want to do. It is now time to see Devon in the study alone please Paul" "Very well. Either Sebastian or Iris can show you to the study. I'll have to go and get Devon. I imagine he is a bundle of nerves for some reason" "Very good" watching Paul leave. Paul found Devon in his room. He was hugging the big Tiger Cat for all its worth. Paul stood at the door watching him. He heard a couple of sniffs. Devon looked out the window and hugged the big cat again. The cat let out a big 'Mellow' and leaped out of the grasp quickly. Devon looked towards the door noticing Paul standing there. "How long have you been standing there?" "Not long. Why the long face?" Devon ran to Paul in a very uncharastic fashion and hugged his waist. "I'm scared Doctor!" "What's there to be scared of?" "Big buses like that. They always bring bad news" "I see. You've surely seen many things in your life. Your a star Devon, nothing should be bothering you, son" "A star? Yeah, a has been star. No one wants to see me any more" "Ah, but your future is very bright. You just don't see it right now but have faith. The women want to see you" "Why me? I've got nothing to offer. I've done nothing either. I'm just a boy" "Well, Devon, you might see yourself as that but what have I always told you?" "uh, to trust you" "Yes, so trust me this one more time, dry your face and come with me" "yes sir" he said meekly. Paul led him down the stairs and into his study. The matronly woman was sitting behind his desk reading a piece of paper. She looked up at Devon. They stared at each other for a few moments. A nagging thought suddenly occurred to him but he couldn't quite put his mind around it. "Devon Shire. Finally, we meet again. You are looking good. Now come and sit. Paul, please shut the door when you leave" "Yes um, Mrs" The door shut with a solid wooden thug. Devon slowly walked to the chair and sat down before the women. "Your 12 now. You've lost your parents recently. That makes you the man of the family. Do you know who I am or remember me?" "I'm sooorrry ma'am but I do not. You said we've met before, ma'am?" "Yes but you were only two. Let me tell you about 'us'." "yes ma'am" "now sit back and get comfortable" Devon shifted back against the back of the chair. My husband died over 32 years ago. I've been a widow for all those years. You have probably never heard of him but he was a WWII veteran. Highly educated as an Engineer, we settled down in Louisiana where he became highly invested in the oil fields. His health from his family claimed his age in mid-life. He left me well invested. That is what Iris does. While my personal assistant, she overseas all my investments. At last quarter, I've grown over $3 billion. Have you any concept of that amount of money Devon?" "no ma'am" "Well, your only song that became a hit made a little over $137,000. Iris has taken a look at it, invested it for you and now it is worth over $250,000. She is quite good at what she does" "yes ma'am" "That doesn't even impress you Devon?" "no ma'am" "Very unusual. Why not, Devon?" "I'll never see any of it" Devon said looking down at the floor "ma'am" "Bullshit! Who told you that bunch of horseshit?" Shaken a little bit "uh, no one ma'am but my Aunt will take it for her and peewee" "AH, little piss ant Peewee. Well Devon you don't have to worry about little Peewee with the little peewee" Devon turned red. No one ever spoke of things like that to him, especially an adult. he sat there with his mouth open. "Well let me tell you about you then. You've had an operation recently. How are the old family jewels anyways?" Devon turned scarlet. No one knew about his operation! And now this old woman was asking him how his jewels were? "Ah, yes the embarrassment of a 12 year old. Well Peewee and his mother were talked by the Louisiana Child Protective Services about his repeated molestations of you on your camping trip" "But, uh, how, uh..." "It wasn't Paul either. He has told me nothing. As a wealthy old woman, I have hired the best private detective firm in the state of Louisiana. You'd be surprised to find out what I know. Anyways, Paul has been appointed as your legal guardian. Only I can remove him from that. And I won't do that unless you tell me too. yes, YOU, Devon Shire has the responsibility over your two siblings until they reach the age of 18 to make that judgement" She ended staring at him. He continued to sit with his mouth open. After a few minutes of staring at each other, Devon finally said "so you know all that I've been thru?" In a softer voice "yes child. It may not appear to you that no one has been watching after you, you've been looked after" "But, why? You, uh, I don't, uh, why?" "Well deary, Do you remember your grandmother, the one you stayed with after your 'camping' trip?" "yes ma'am but I was told she died recently" "well, yes she did. Of a stroke in her sleep I think. She was only 52 though. Her family suffered from a bad heart condition that was from bad genetics. Anyways, she was my granddaughter" Devon sat there listening. The wheels going in his head. The old lady just sat there waiting. Finally it dawned on Devon that this was some of his relation. His grandmother's grandmother? That'd make her his great, great grandmother. Is that right? She'd have to be ancient. "So your like my, uh, great great grandmother? ma'am" "Yes to put it simply" They stared at each other for a few more minutes. "So how does that make you feel?" "uh, er, um, OK I guess" "That's all?" "uh, um I guess so" They stared at each other for a few more minutes. The lady felt like she was getting no response from the boy. She stood up and walked to the door. She opened it and motioned for Paul and Iris to come in. They came in together. Devon was staring at the chair. "He is unresponsive when I explained who I was to him" "I don't think he's out of it. I've seen him" Paul offered. "I don't know what to think" Paul walked over to Devon. He was seeing Devon smiling and staring at the chair. Paul leaned down and spoke to him. The elderly woman, Irene, and Iris were talking when they noticed them. "Well just ask her. She won't bite" "She'll think I'm just a little kid or really immature" "Well just ask her. SHE IS RIGHT HERE-ASK HER" "Ask me what? What does the child want? Money?" "Actually no. He isn't interested in money since I've known him" "Well what then?" "Devon-NOW!" Paul said in his authoritative voice. Devon leaped to his feet. He knew that tone of voice. He turned around quickly to face Irene. "Ma...May I call you grandma? Pleeeeasseeeeeeeee?" Irene was totally stunned. She was expecting the worse or be totally disappointed in the child. "Well hell yes! I'd be honored!" "Grandma!" Devon said as he raced over to hug her gently. He began crying into her stomach. Paul and iris left them alone behind the big wooden door.