Gregory Patrick

08/31/2022

Jaiden – Chapter 175

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Greg Patrick

 

Jaiden was sitting in his dining room, writing materials spread out everywhere around him. He was intent on making his upcoming speech in Reverend Jefferson's church one that the congregation would never forget. Peyton, Dale, and Charley tried to get an early look at Jaiden's manuscript, but Jaiden protected it like the government protects the gold in Fort Knox. If he left the table to play with his boys or to go to the restroom, he took the manuscript folder with him. If anything, he enjoyed intimidating the other dads by not letting them know what he was writing. They would have to attend the speech event with him to know what he had to say and how he would say it.

 

Dale and Charley walked in the door from work and Jaiden was already at home sitting at the table working on the speech he would give at Reverend Jefferson's church. Charley took one look at Jaiden and knew he was furious about something.

 

"Jaiden, what's got you miffed? "Charley, I stopped at Walmart on the way home from work, and the lady at the door was checking every receipt going out the door. I have never before had small packages checked and told her I thought it was ridiculous. After the black man in front of me walked out the door, she leaned into my ear with her hand held up to block people from seeing her mouth and said, "if you notice, this is a black store, and if I don't check the receipts for a few white people, they (blacks) get mad. The manager of that store, for peat's sake, is a black woman. I can't stand it when someone is blatantly prejudiced due to color or any other reason. I won't be going back there for a while – if ever. Damn, that made me mad!" "Did you say anything to her?" "Yes, I told her not to worry about it, and I left the store. I'm trying to decide if I am going to call the manager tomorrow or what. She's an old lady who, more likely than not, needs to work, and I don't want to cost her her job, but she just can't make statements like that to people." "Do you know who the customer was in front of you?" "Yes, he was the chaplain at the capital city jail and the pastor of a local church; a very genteel, nice man." "Are you going to tell him? "No, there is no use in getting him and his family upset when I don't need to. Peyton is out back with the children so I can cool down and get some work done on the speech I'm giving at the church."

 

"So, Jaiden, what did you decide about the greeter at Walmart?" Charley, I didn't say anything to anybody. I don't want to be the reason for that lady possibly losing her job. If she said what she did to me having no idea who I was or what I am about, she will do it with someone else who will take care of the situation." "But why, Jaiden?" I take a literal view of what the Torah says – and what it doesn't say."

 

It says Hashem created man in his image. The scripture didn't say anything about color, religion, sexuality, or add any other qualifiers. While, as a Jew, I don't observe the New Testament scriptures, I believe they hold valuable information on how to live life by instructing people to love our neighbors as we love ourselves and to hold nothing against our neighbor's child. What the lady said to me was from learned ignorance - from what she was taught growing up, and I cannot hold what her family taught her against her; however, I can daven for her." "Good way to think about that, bro, and a good lesson you have taught me that I can teach my children." "The sad part, Charlie, is that kind of mindset causes people to miss out on a lot of good things life has to offer." "That tis true, my brother!"

 

Talking about missing out on some good things in life, have you spoken to Greg about how his surgeries went?" "I did, and he told me that an ulcer sore developed on his left eye that is giving him fits, but that his right eye is doing extremely well. I got a laugh at how he described colors he was seeing for the first time and how beautiful they were to him. I did get a bit miffed when he said he could finally see his spouse in full view because he could now stand on the Alabama-Georgia state lines and see his wife in full view – all the way from the east coast of Georgia to the west coast of Alabama. I told Greg he shouldn't say things like that and he said that the truth is the truth. Besides, he is just as large as his wife is, so he doesn't have any room to talk. You should have seen him sulk at my comment; he was hilarious."

 

"I guess that means he can see a lot better." "You might say that; he can read without glasses for the first time in 39 years." "39 years? He really is an old fart, isn't he?" "Charlie! You know better than that." "Well, he calls himself that." "He can, Charley, but we shouldn't – even if he sometimes is a weird, old fart; he grew up unwanted and unloved." "True, and I know how that feels."

 

"Have you gotten much done on your speech for the church?" "It is done! I didn't have to write anything because it is already in my head. I'll have it written out by the time I speak at Reverend Jefferson's church. By the way, are you going to be there? "Jaiden, are you kidding asking me that question? You know I never pass up a good, home-cooked meal, and those ladies can cook like nobody's business." "That is true. I think I'll ask Ginny and Granny to attend with their husbands; they deserve a good meal they don't have to cook."

 

"Speaking of good cooks, where is Dale?" "He went to Walmart's Neighborhood Grocery to pick up a few items for dinner." "Do you know what he is planning on cooking? "Chitlins, black-eyed peas with ham hocks, lima beans, and southern cornbread." "Now I know you are lying because he is not going to cook chitlins in this house; they smell worse than all the kids in the bathroom at the same time." "Well, Jaiden, you know what they say: Sling'em clean and then boil the shit out of them." "Maybe so, Charley, but that is one taste I will never acquire." "Aw come on, Jaiden, it's like acquiring a taste for beer."

 

"I don't drink beer either, Charley. I tried to develop a taste for it until Mom said she didn't see how anyone drank something that foamed, looked, and smelled like horse pee; I haven't tried the stuff since." "What about all the other alcoholic beverages you don't drink?" "It's simple: I just don't like the stuff and the havoc it wreaks on a person's body, even if it is drunk in moderation. If I was going to drink an alcoholic beverage, it would be a Sloe Gin Fizz - if I was straight and dating a girl." "Why do you say that?" "Again, it is simple: a Sloe Gin Fizz will get a girl drunk before she realizes it, and if she got drunk, I would get what I wanted a lot more easily." "Jaiden, that is awful."

 

"Yeah, having sex with a girl would be awful to me. Once you have sex with a girl, she thinks she owns you. I much prefer the love of my life... Peyton; I can tie a rope around him, set him in position, quickly pull the rope, and spin him like a top." "Jaiden, you're crazy!" "Maybe so, Charley; but at least it makes life more interesting.

Peyton walked into the room and asked, "what makes life more interesting, sweet cheeks?"

 

"Tying a rope around you, sitting you on my flag pole, and spinning you like a top." "Damn, I shouldn't have asked." "Babe, if I didn't love you the way I do, I wouldn't say something like that." "I know that, but the idea of a fast spin around the flag pole sounds a bit daunting to me."

 

"So, you don't want to try it?" "Not right now, but maybe when we go to bed tonight." "Hm, Peyton, are you saying you're a bit horny?" "No, Jaiden, I'm not! I am saying I am a whole lot horny right now, and I would like nothing more than to have you make love to me and then hold me all night." "I think I can arrange that, Peyton." "Promise, Jaiden?" "I promise, Babe."

 

"Dang, Dale, it looks like Peyton and Jaiden are going to have a great night tonight." "Charley, that is none of your business; however, what is your business is if you want us to have the same kind of night." "Are you kidding me, you know I would." Dale winked at Charley and cut a wry grin that stretched from ear to ear. All four of the amigos would be causing lightning bolts to fly out of their windows tonight."

 

"Daddy, I think Nathan Robert is sick on his tummy." Where is he, Abraham?" "He's on his bed, Daddy...and he pooped on his bed."

 

Jaiden and Peyton both headed for the bedroom, and as Abraham said, Nathan Robert was sick with a stomach virus. Charley went upstairs to see if he could help, and when he walked into the bedroom, he gagged - something unusual for him to do. Peyton took Nathan Robert to the showers while Jaiden proceeded to clean the bed linens and take the soiled sheets to the laundry. "Charley, would you please get the key to the medicine cabinet and get the Paregoric? We might as well dose all the children because it is likely this is going to spread and it is better to catch and prevent it upfront.

 

Charley went to the kitchen and got the medication and measured out a dose for each of the children. And just in case, he took a dose for himself. "Jaiden, the Paregoric is measured out for each child, and I took a dose for myself." Thanks, and it was smart for you to take some just in case." Let's give the medication to the children and then to Peyton and Dale - and I need to take a precautionary dose. The last thing I want to do is go somewhere for dinner and have fourteen pairs of pants full of poop in the van on the way home." "You mean thirteen pairs of pants full of poop in the van, don't you Jaiden?" "No, I meant fourteen, why?" "Because I will be walking home if that happens!" "Oh no you won't, you aren't escaping that easily." "OK, change that to fourteen pairs of pants full of poop, and a floorboard full of vomit." "Never mind, Bro, you can walk home." Charley laughed his butt off when Jaiden said that.

 

"Peyton, Charley took a preventative dose of Paregoric and I think you, Dale, and I should do the same thing." "I already have it ready, Babe, so here is your dose." "Geez, this stuff tastes awful." "Not to me, I love the taste of licorice." "You would, Peyton; licorice is not one of my favorite candies - and it never has been. Mom loves it, but I never could develop a taste for it. Red licorice is pretty good, but I don't like the black licorice." "Jaiden, it's all good, you just need to give it a chance. You may discover that as an adult, you actually like it." "I might Dale, but I at least would rather try it in candy form.

 

"Talking about is getting the stomach virus, are you and Peyton going to be able to go to class tomorrow night?" "We are planning on it, Dale; I am enjoying learning what Dad did in prosthetics. I can't wait to see a child I have been able to help walking down a hallway without crutches or using a wheelchair." "I can understand, Jaiden; I think I would break down at the site of such a child walking when his leg would otherwise be gone." "Truth be known, Dale, I will probably have to walk into an empty room or office and let the tears roll." "Jaiden, you're a good man, you know that?" "I try hard Dale; I want to be known as the same kind of man my dad was." "Jaiden, you can't become what your dad was; you have already surpassed that point." "You think so?" "No, bro, I know so!" A tear escaped from Jaiden's eye when Dale said that, and Jaiden arose and hugged his "brother."

 

Peyton had walked outside with the children and stepped into the den for a moment when he noticed Jaiden's tear-stained face. Never liking to see his husband upset enough to bring tears, he walked to Jaiden, put his arm around him, and asked what had upset him. "It was something Dale said, Peyton?" Was it that bad, love?" "No sir, he said that I could not be the man my dad was because I had already surpassed that point."

 

"Sweetheart, he told the truth. Your mom loves to watch you work with patients and has told me that it's as if your dad is inside you. She said he was so good with the children he worked with, but that you are even better than he was. Do you think your dad is your guardian angel protecting and helping you to be an even better man than he was?" "I don't know, but sometimes to me, it sure feels like it; I hope so."

 

It seems things are hitting the fan, so to speak, with the children; Alaina Noelle walked into the den and said, "Unka Jaiden, Abraham just puked in the backyard, but Daddy Charley is helping him." Jaiden and Peyton headed out the door, and sure enough, Charley was getting Nathan – and Abraham – undressed. Jaiden walked up to Charley and said he'd finish the nasty job. Charley told him he had Nathan under control but would welcome some help with Abraham. Jaiden got his son undressed, inside, bathed, and gave him and Nathan a shot of Phenergan to stop the vomiting. When the boys were cleaned up, the shot was making them very drowsy, so their dads put them in their beds.

 

Jaiden walked into the den, suddenly stopped, turned and looked at Charley, and asked, "Charley, would you like to join me on the deck?" Charley couldn't get yes out of his mouth as the two ran to the rail of the deck. If they had been on a boat in Lake Erie, they would have fed the fish well. Peyton looked at Jaiden and Charley, and they were green, so he prepared a shot of Phenergan for each and administered the injections before they realized what he had done. As they started getting drowsy, Charley said he needed to go to bed before he passed out on the floor. Jaiden said it was the same for him, too, and went to bed as well."

 

Dale came inside with the children, and Peyton told him he thought it would be wise if they slept in the downstairs bedrooms that night – the rooms that shared a bathroom so they could get there in time if the need arose – and it probably would.

 

Peyton called his office manager, Ashley, to let her know what was going on and said he and Jaiden might not be able to come in the next morning if the virus doesn't run its course over the night. She told him to call her the next morning if he and Jaiden needed to stay home and she would work the schedule out. With Richard in the office, and Peter and Leon just arriving in town, the office should run smoothly if Jaiden and Peyton had to stay home. Peyton said he'd let Jaiden know what the office manager said, but when he walked into the bedroom, Jaiden was sleeping quietly and comfortably, so he quietly closed the bedroom door and went back to the den.

 

"Dale, I hope we don't get sick like Jaiden and Charley because someone needs to stay sober so that if the rest of the children get sick, we can help them." "I agree, Peyton; I'll tough it out if I get sick, but if you need some Phenergan during the night, take it but let me know." "No, if you are going to tough it out, so will I." "Peyton, what about Ginny and Granny?"

 

"Dang, I forgot about them! Let me call them right quick."

 

"Ginny, this is Peyton. I'm sorry to disturb you, but the children are sick with a stomach virus, and Nathan and Abraham have been vomiting – among other things we have had to take care of, so you might not want to come tomorrow morning." "OK, Peyton, I'll call Geraldine and let her know."

 

Ten minutes later, Ginny and Granny walked through the door to the garage. Granny had a bag in her hand, and Ginny's purse was hanging on her arm. Peyton and Dale had a chuckle when the ladies locked their purses and keys in a kitchen cabinet. Purses and keys were two things that Nathan Robert and Charles Logan still loved to hide.

 

"What are you ladies doing here?" "Our grandbabies are sick, and chances are that you will be sick before midnight." "Ginny, we can handle it if we are." Granny said, "Nonsense! I brought some old folks remedy for nausea, and you are fixin to eat a dose." "Eat a dose, Peyton asked." "Yep. Chew this slowly, and when you have chewed it good, you can swallow it."

 

Dale and Peyton did as they were told and were amazed that their stomachs instantly felt better. "Peyton, where are Charley and Jaiden?"

 

"I gave them an injection of Phenergan, and they are in the bed asleep." "Well, if and when they wake up, give them some of this sushi ginger and make them do the same thing you did."

 

"Granny, how did you learn to take ginger for an upset stomach?" "Son, mommas have been doing that with their children for years. Only thing was, back in the day, we had to peel and pickle the ginger ourselves."

 

"Was that hard to do?" "No. You just rub the skin off the piece of ginger with a spoon, slice it very thinly, and then drop it into some hot apple cider vinegar and let it sit for a while. My momma always kept it prepared and in the refrigerator."

 

"This stuff is magic. I'm going to tell the ladies at the office about this trick and try it with some patients. I bet it would work reducing nausea in cancer patients; we're going to have to try that and see if it works." "Lord knows, Peyton, I hope it does; that chemo is something awful." "Yes, it is, Granny."

 

Several of the children got sick over the night, but Ginny and Granny were there to care for them, and their dads got a good night's sleep. As Peyton had wished, the virus seemed to run its course over the night, and all were feeling better the next morning. There were some sore stomach muscles from all the hurling some of the children and the dads did, but alas, all was better.

 

All the dads went to work as usual, and each told their staff about the virus visiting and making its rounds, so everybody took precautions. Dale and Charley put a large jar of sushi ginger in the office breakroom, and Jaiden and Peyton did the same. Peyton told Ashley what Granny and Ginny said about the stuff, and she started laughing.

 

"Guys, every momma knows that trick." "We know about it now, too, so just in case you need some, there is a big jar in the fridge. I don't know how long it will last because I discovered I love the stuff and have an urge to chomp on some when I pass the breakroom." "Dr. Jaiden, don't eat too much or you will regret it." "What do you mean, Ashley?" "Ginger is naturally hot and sometimes feels like a cure for hemorrhoids." "Oh! I think I'll be careful." Ashley smiled as the young doctors headed to their office to await the first patients of the day.

 

"Jaiden, I wonder what other old folks' remedies work as the ginger does?" "I don't know, but I hope you might learn something about that in Environmental Engineering and teach the rest of us about it." "Let's hope so, love."

 

"Richard and Peter walked into the office laughing their heads off. Peyton asked, "What's my brother and brother-in-law laughing about?"

 

"We heard about these four guys with ten babies in the house with them getting a stomach virus and feeding the fish in Lake Erie." Peyton shot the two a disapproving glance, and they laughed even harder. "Richard, just you wait! You have two sons, and when they get the virus, and they will, you'll be changing poop-filled sheets all night, and if it isn't poop, it will be regurgitated food. Just wait, your time is coming." "Peyton, if I apologize for laughing, do you think it might not come to my home?"

 

"Too late, Richard, you've already laughed, so you have to experience the same thing. The good thing is that it probably won't happen until one of your boys starts kindergarten. It seems all parents with children of any age in school experience this dilemma several times a year starting in September of every year." "Peyton, I forgot all about that. I bet we are about to get bombed with sick calls and increased appointments." "I'm sure, Richard. By the way, if the boys get sick, and you need to go home to help Sally, let me know so Jaiden and I can cover for you." "Thanks, Bro, I appreciate that. If I need to help with your children or our nephews and niece, let me know, and I'll help if the two of you can't break away." "Thanks, I will. Isn't it nice to have brothers who will do what brothers should do when a need arises?" "Yes, it is, and if it hadn't been for you and Jaiden, I wouldn't be so fortunate in life." "It's the same for us, too, Richard; that's what true love and family are all about!" "Hashem is an awesome God, Peyton! "That He is, Richard."

 

Peter got a call from Leon who was at home puking his head off. "Damn! I have to run to the house, and I have a full schedule this morning with rounds and the emergency room. By the way, Peyton, Leon just called, and he has the virus and is at the edge of the lake feeding the fish." "Peter, I am free until ten this morning. I arranged the schedule just in case I couldn't make it in. I'll run to your house and take care of Leon and then come back to the office." "Thanks, brother-in-law, I really appreciate that. Here is an extra key to the house. Keep it in case you need it again." "Be back shortly, guys."

 

Peyton went to Leon's and Peter's house and used the key to go inside. Leon called out, "Peter, is that you?" "No, Leon, it's your strikingly handsome brother!" "Peyton, what are you doing here?" "Peter has a full schedule at the hospital with rounds and the emergency room, and I had a break, so I told him I'd come to check on you." "Peyton, thank you. I have been puking my head off, and my stomach is really sore."

 

"Hmm, let me palpitate your abdomen to make sure everything feels OK. Peyton stared at the wall as he checked Leon's stomach and then said everything felt and sounded good with the exception that his stomach was empty and he was a little dehydrated."

 

"You know, Leon, I've never seen your ass, and Peter tells me you have a really cute ass, so roll over and let me see that cute ass!" Peyton knew Leon wouldn't take a shot unless he was tied down, so when he lowered his shorts and turned over, Peyton let him have it – he gave Leon the shot before he realized it."

 

Leon, in a few minutes, your stomach will calm down, and you'll probably get a bit dizzy and drunk. When you feel that happening, close your eyes and go to sleep. Right now, I want you to drink this bottle of Gatorade to get some fluids and electrolytes back into your system. I put some more in the fridge, so try to drink it when you wake up."

 

"Peyton, you looked at my ass, and it stung a little when you did, and then you told me I was going to get dizzy and a bit drunk; what did you do." "I gave you a shot of Phenergan to relax your stomach and stop the vomiting." "You gave me a shot, and I didn't know it?" "Yes, I did. It didn't bother you a bit, did it?" "No, it didn't, and I've never had a shot I didn't feel."

 

"Leon, I am a good doctor, you are my brother, and I wasn't looking at your ass thinking you are an ass as some doctors may have in the past; I didn't want it to hurt, so it didn't." "Peyton, have I told you lately how much I love you?" "No, but you have shown me. I have to get back to the office. Call Ashley if you need one of us to come back to help you." "OK. Thanks for coming, I owe you." "I know, you should get the bill in the mail on the first of the month." "Peyton, you wouldn't!" "No, I wouldn't, I just wanted to get to you a little as Dad does." "I'm going to tell Mom on you." "Go ahead, just remember I am her favorite!" "Damn." Peyton was laughing when he walked out the door.

 

A few minutes later, their mom called Leon and said she had a feeling something was wrong, but that when she asked Peyton if anything was wrong, he said he couldn't say. That tells me you are sick and he was helping you." "Mom, we all have a stomach virus, and I have been vomiting all morning. Peyton gave me a shot of Phenergan, and I'm starting to get sleepy. Peter is supposed to come home and check on me a lunch. I hope he doesn't get sick and can get something to eat for lunch." "I do, too, Leon. Do you know if the babies are sick?" "Yes, mam, they are, but it has about run its course with them. Ginny and Granny are with them, and Granny has a cure for nausea that Peter is supposed to bring me at lunch." "I bet I know what it is, son, but I'll call you back tonight to check on you, and you can tell me if my hunch is right. Get some sleep, and I'll check on you later this evening." "Thanks, Mom, love you!" "I love you too, son."

 

At noon, Peter walked in the door with some hot soup from Abramson's Deli. "Leon, I have some lunch for you." "I don't know if I can eat and hold it down." "You shouldn't have a problem after Peyton gave you the injection." Yeah, talk about that, you know I hate shots, and I didn't even realize he had given me one." "I know, and I told him. He and Jaiden are good at giving shots, so they do it themselves instead of having their nurse do it. I've never heard a child cry when those two have given one a shot." "I'll hand it to Peyton; I don't think shots will bother me anymore. By the way, what did you get for lunch?"

 

"Jewish Penicillin." "What!" "Jewish Penicillin. You've never heard of that?" "No. Really, what is it." "It is matza ball soup. It has a couple of matza dumplings, some carrots, chicken, and broth with chicken fat that coats the throat and sinuses with steam to help you feel better." "

 

Peter gave Leon the soup, and when he tasted it, he closed his eyes and said it was a gift from Heaven, that he had never tasted a soup so good. "Leon, before you eat much more of the soup, chew on this first and then swallow it, and it will stop nausea in its tracks. If you start to get nauseous later, eat some more of this. Jaiden sent you some, and I put it in the fridge. It is something you have told me before that you love."

 

"Ginger! And sushi ginger at that. You're right, I could eat this stuff like candy." "Well, just eat a little, don't overdo it or it can give you the runs." "Yeah, I know. Thanks, sweetheart, I hope the rest of the day goes well for you." "I do too, babe, but it would be a better day if I could stay home with you."

 

When Peter got back to the office, he entered the back hall door rather quietly and was walking up to the door to the breakroom when he heard Jaiden say, "Peyton, I am feeling so much better that I would like to go to a rodeo tonight." Peyton looked at Jaiden and smiled as Peter walked into the breakroom and cleared his throat.

 

The children were feeling better when the guys got home, but after dinner, they said they were tired and wanted to go to bed early, so the dads looked at each other, smiled, and accommodated the children's wishes. While Peyton was tucking the boys into bed, Jaiden went to his and Peyton's bedroom to get ready for bed. When Peyton walked into the room, he asked Jaiden, "Why is the song from Rawhide playing?"

 

Before Jaiden could answer Peyton, the song ended, and the theme from the Rifleman started playing. "Jaiden, what is it with the western songs?" "Babe, remember our conversation in the breakroom at the office, I told you I'd like to go to a rodeo; welcome to the rodeo arena!" "Dang, babe, I think I am going to enjoy this rodeo!!!

 

I apologize for this chapter being so late; however, bi-lateral eye surgery has kicked my rear-end for the past month.