...Continued
Danny nodded.
“I just hope it works. By the way, speaking to the twins, what are you getting them for their birthday on Friday?”
“I don’t know I haven’t given it much thought.” Danny said. “Maybe I’ll just get them a paint set or something. We were in a store the other day they kind of liked those paint by number sets.
“Danny, that sounds like a great idea. We could use that for ‘art class’ Jaime was excited. “If I were you that is what I would get them.”
“Yea, maybe I will. Leave it to you to turn it in to school work.” Danny laughed. He picked up one of his books and started reading.
‘Just like Oscar ‘ Jaime said to herself.
Upstairs the twins and Joey were in Joey’s room. Matt and Marc were taking turns reading Joey a story. Jaime could hear them from the kitchen. She was still listening when Oscar and Rudy walked through the back door.
“I still say it’s a good idea Rudy.” Oscar was saying. “We use one car and go back and forth to work together.”
“It would be a good idea Oscar but I leave earlier than you sometimes. Or you go to work before I do. I don’t think it would work out.” Rudy finished.
“Well I guess you’re right.” Jaime could tell that was not the conversation they had
started..
“Well” she said. “I need to get going. I will see you tomorrow. Did you get the cakes ordered Oscar?”
“Where are the twins?” Oscar whispered.
“Upstairs reading to Joey.” Jaime told them.
“Good. Yea they are all ordered. I’ll pick them up Friday on my to work. You and Steve are still planning on coming right.”
“We wouldn’t miss it.” Jaime stated.
“That’s good how is their school work coming?” Oscar asked.
“It’s coming great. They are smart kids. Well I’ll see tomorrow.
“Yea” Oscar interjected, “See you tomorrow.”
“Oscar, it’s going to be ok believe me.” Jaime assured him
After she left Rudy turned to Oscar. “Did you call Joe Thompson back.”
“Yea I did. I told him no go. He called me back a few minutes later. I guess Millie is fit to be tied. Well she can be mad. She can be as mad as she wants. I’m going to go change and get dinner started. Go ahead Rudy make your self at home. You can go in the living room and watch TV.”
“Thanks. But I think I’ll go talk to Marc. If that’s ok?”
“That would be great Rudy, maybe we can get this settled.”
Rudy went up to the twin’s room. “Hi guys. Listen Matt why don’t you and Joey go into his room for a minute. I want to talk to Marc.”
“N no p problem R Rudy.” Matt said.
He turned to Marc “We have to talk son.” Rudy started.
Marc had been sitting on the bed got up and moved to the window.
“Marc, Dan told me what happened before you moved in with Oscar. He told me about the accident in the park.”
Marc turned and looked at him.
Oscar had just finished changing his clothes when the house phone rang. It was the guard at the front gate.
“Yes Ralph, what is it? Oscar spoke into the phone.
“Mr. Goldman, there is a woman here. Says she’s from the county can I send her in?”
Oscar didn’t know what to think. Had Millie called someone and made a false report, just exactly what was going on?
“What does she want Ralph?” Oscar said after a long pause.
“Something to do with the kids education sir.” The guard said.
“Ok send her up.” Oscar thought for a moment then added. “But stand by.” Oscar ordered.
“I will sir.” The Ralph assured.
“Rudy!” Oscar called from the living room. “Could you come down here for a moment?”
“I’ll be right back Marc. I want to see what this is all about. I’ll be right back.”
Relieved, Marc nodded.
Rudy walked downstairs and joined Oscar at the window.
“She says she’s from the county.” Oscar explained as the two of them watched the car slowly drive up the driveway. ‘If you think you’re going to take these kids out of here you are sadly mistaken.’ Oscar thought to himself as he the car pulled to a stop in front of the house.
Oscar and Rudy met her at the door. “Mr. Goldman?”
“Yes what can I do for you?” Oscar asked.
“I’m Sheila Rothman I’m from the Board of ED. I was out here the other day and spoke to the children’s tutor. I suppose I missed her?” She said placing a large box on the coffee table.
“Yes she left a while ago.” Oscar breathed a sigh of relief. Wondering what was in the box.
“I was afraid of that. When I was here she ordered some materiel for the children. I got so far behind today. I was hoping to catch her. Oh well I’ll leave this with you. She’ll know what to do with it.”
“Thank you Ms Rothman. I’ll see that she gets it.” Oscar assured. Oscar was still a bit shaken but only Rudy knew that he was.
“Tell her the test booklets are there also. She’ll understand.” Shelia explained as she turned to leave.
“I’m sure she will,” Oscar noted.
Before she left she turned once again to Oscar. “You will be receiving a report from me soon. She is doing a wonderful job with the children, they are all well above grade level. Usually when children are home schooled, as your sons are, they are way below. Well I’m sure your getting ready for dinner. I’ll be going. Have a lovely evening.”
“I will. You too.” Oscar opened the door for her, “and again thanks for stopping by.”
“No trouble, it’s on my way home. Good bye.”
“Good bye.” Oscar closed the door and looked at Rudy. “Well Rudy that took about ten years off my life.”
“I’ll see if there is something I can do to replace it.” Rudy teased. “Listen I need to finish my conversation with Marc if you don’t mind. We had just gotten started.
“That’ll be fine Rudy. I’ll call when it’s time for dinner. This.” He pointed at the door “kind of backed us up a bit. I’ll fix something quick.’ Oscar said.
“Not to quick, give me time to talk to Marc.”
“Ok Rudy I will. By the way where is Danny? Maybe I’ll go talk to him some more while your talking to Marc.”
“Good idea. He’s in his office.” Rudy stated as he once again headed up to the twin’s room. He knocked before he went in. “Sorry about that Marc your dad needed me for a moment.” Once again he had to kick the other two kids out.
Marc was sitting at the table in his room coloring Rudy sat next to him. He grabbed a coloring book and started to color also. Marc continued to color. ‘Well at least he didn’t move away from me’ Rudy thought.
“So like I was saying. Dan told me about what happened when you fell off the swing and hurt your knee.” Rudy continued to color but was watching Marc.
Marc looked up for a moment. “He was mean.” Marc whispered.
“That’s what Dan said.” Rudy tried to read Marc’s facial expressions but he still wouldn’t make eye contact.
“You know Marc, not all Doctors are like that. I know I’m not.”
Marc turned to him. But didn’t say anything.
“Marc you and your brothers are very special to me. I’ll admit I wasn’t so sure when you first became bionic if I wanted to be the one to take care of you. But now I wouldn’t have it any other way. I care about you and your brothers.” Rudy told him.
“Really? You do?” Marc asked
“Of course I do. You, all four of you are very special to me.” Rudy explained. “Marc you’ve seen me with Dan when he is sick, right.”
“Yes.”
“Have I ever mistreated him?” Rudy asked
‘No. You haven’t “ Marc replied.
“I wouldn’t be that way. I would never hurt you or any of your brothers. Do you think I would?”
Marc thought for a long moment. Rudy was almost afraid of the answer. “Well I guess not. Not now anyway.” Marc said.
“Marc, it’s important that you trust me not just a little but one hundred percent. Now I’m sorry if I blew some of that trust on that last mission we went on…”
“I know you didn’t mean any of that Rudy.’ Marc looked him in the eye. “I’ll try. Maybe it will come with time, but I do feel better.”
“That’s all I want right now Marc.” Rudy smiled at him. “I’ll try to show you that you can trust me. Ok?”
“Ok.” Marc answered.
Rudy stood to leave. “Any time you want to talk, my door is open ok. Now I’m going to go see what your dad has planned for dinner.”
“Ok Rudy see you downstairs.” Marc began to finish the picture he had been coloring.
Before going back downstairs, Rudy knocked on Joey’s door. “Ok Matt you can go back in if you want.” Rudy told him.
Oscar was just finishing dinner when Rudy joined him in the kitchen.
“How did it go?” Oscar asked
“I think it went great. He is talking to me at least anyway. And he doesn’t move to the other side of the room when I sit next to him. That’s a start I guess.”
“Anything is better than the way it was before. Maybe Steve could talk to him again too.”
After Rudy had given the ‘all clear signal,’ Matt went back to his room.
“W what w was that all about?” He asked joining Marc at the little table in their room.
“He just wanted to talk to me. He’s really a pretty nice guy I guess. Marc stated. “I guess he’s ok.”
“Did you talk anymore to Danny?” Rudy asked as he started setting the table for dinner.
“I tried, He says he’s ok with everything. I have my doubts though.” Oscar started for the door. “I’ll go call the kids. You want to tell Danny?”
“Yea I’ll go and get him.”
Oscar started up the stairs. “Hey guys, dinner is ready.” He called. He walked into Matt and Marc’s room “You guys coming?”
“I just want to finish my picture.” Marc stated. “I’ll be right down.”
‘You can finish it after dinner. I want you to eat before it gets cold.” Oscar directed.
“Ok I’m coming.” Marc laid his crayon on his book and followed everyone downstairs. On the way down Oscar put his hand on Marc’s shoulder. “I understand you and Rudy had a little talk?”
‘Yea, we did.” Marc answered.
Do you feel better about him?”
‘Yea I do. He’s really pretty nice.”
“He sure is Marc.” Oscar patted Marc’s shoulder.
That night after the little ones went to bed, again Dan and Rudy played a game of chess. “I talked to Marc tonight.” Rudy began as they started their game.
“Really, how did it go?”
‘I think you were right. I think that was a better share of it anyway. We’ll just see how the next few days go.”
“I’m sure it will all be just fine.” Dan assured.
“I hope so.”
smdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdm
The next morning Oscar waited for Jaime to arrive while Rudy gave Dan a ride to school.
“Morning Oscar I’m surprised to see you here.” Jaime said as she took her coat off. You are usually gone by now.”
“Yea I know. Your friend a Shelia Rothman stopped by. She left a box for you. She said it was…”
“Oh good I was hoping it would come yesterday. Then when she didn’t show up I assumed we would get it today.”
“So you were expecting her yesterday.” Oscar wondered
“Yes I was. What did you think of her?”
“She is very nice. But she almost scared me to death.” Oscar informed her.
“I’m sorry I should have told you she might stop by.” Jaime apologized.
“That’s ok it’s just after my run ins with Gretchen Winter I tend to be a little leery of people who work in that department.”
“I don’t blame you, I’ll be sure and give you the heads up next time she stops by.”
“I would appreciate that. Well I better get going I’ll see you tonight, and don’t forget about tomorrow, the big party. I just wish the twins had some friends they could invite.”
“I haven’t forgotten I’ll be here.”
After he left Jaime called the kids down for their lessons. “Do you guys remember the lady who was here a few weeks ago? Well she brought our stuff by last night. Now we can really get to work. We have workbooks and tests to take. So we need to get started.
“This will be just like real school now.” Marc said.
“Come on guys let’s see what we have to work with.” Jaime started opening the box Oscar had left on the coffee table.
It had everything she had ordered. There were textbooks, worksheets and workbooks. Jaime was elated.
The twins ‘helped’ her carry it into the dinning room where they set it on the table. She removed the reading books and workbooks and handed one of each to the twins.
“I’m going to work with Joey, I want you two to read the first story and answer the questions that go with the story in the workbook.”
“Ok “ The twins answered. They started reading the first story in the books they had gotten.
“I can hardly wait for tomorrow” Marc said looking up from his book.
“Why? What’s tomorrow?” Jaime asked trying to hide her smile but not having much luck.
“It’s our b birth d days.” Matt answered.
“Your birthdays? That’s funny, nobody said anything to me about it being you birthday.” Jaime started laughing.
Marc and Matt who had taken her seriously at first started laughing too.
“Well let see how you did on those workbooks. While I check them why don’t you guys get started with your math? We have math books too. Now we won’t have to write out our problems all the time.”
“Ok W we l like m math.” Matt stated.
“Now since tomorrow is your birthdays I’ll let you guys chose I have to give you these tests, do you want to take them tomorrow, or Monday?”
“Monday!!” They said together.
“Ok then Monday it will be. Get started on your math.”
The twins started working on their math books. No one saw Marc reach up and rub his shoulder…
The twins continued to do their school work And Jaime worked with Joey.
By three they were finished. "Does Dan come home today?" Marc asked.
"No he works with Rudy tonight. did you need something Marc?"
"No, I just wondered. Can I go up to my room?"
Jaime walked over to him. "Are you sure you're ok honey?" She asked. "You've been awful quiet this afternoon."
"Yea, I'm fine." Marc replied.
Jaime reached over and felt Marc's forehead . "Ok, you go on up. I'll send your dad up when he gets home."
"You don't need to do that. I'm fine really."
"Well you feel a little warm to me." You just go rest."
Marc went up to his room his shoulder really hurt but not as much as his ear.
smdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdm
That night on the way home Oscar and Danny discussed what Dan wanted to get the twins for their birthday’s “If it’s ok I’ll have Russ stop at the hobby shop tomorrow on our way home. I think the twins will like them. We were in there the other day they said they were neat.”
”I don’t care Dan, if that’s what you want to get them. You have enough left in your allowance?”
“Yea I do.”
“Then go ahead.” Oscar said.
“What time is dinner dad? Dan asked as they walked in the back door.
‘In a while Why? Do you have homework?”
“Just a little. I’ll be down in my office.”
“Ok, I’ll send someone to get you when it’s ready.”
“Sounds like a winner.” Danny headed down the stairs.
“HI Jaime. How did everything go today?” Oscar asked.
“It went great. The twins love the new workbooks. But I'm a little concerned about Marc. He has been real quiet today. He's up in his room. He felt a little warm to me too. It could be nothing, but then on the other hand...”
“Well I'm glad they are enjoying the new workbooks. I’ll go check on Marc.”
“I think you should. Well I have to get going I’ll see you in the morning.”
Oscar gave her a wave as he started to get dinner underway.
He walked up to the twin’s room “So how is it going Marc? Jaime said you spent most of the afternoon up here.”
“I'm fine really dad. We have to study. Jaime is giving us a test on Monday.” Marc informed him.
“Well that’s good, now we’ll find out how smart you are.”
“Is Rudy home yet?” Marc asked.
“No but he was right behind me when I left.” Oscar explained.
“Good.” Marc stated.
“So tomorrow is the big day huh?” Oscar smiled at them.
“Yea!” the both cried.
“Well I’ll pick up the cakes before I go to work. I’ll try to be early.”
“Who’s coming to our party?” Marc asked.
“Just us, guys.” Oscar said.
"Dinner will be ready in just a little bit. I'll give a holler when it's ready."
"I'm not really hungry." Marc stated.
Oscar reached over Jaime was right Marc felt very warm. "I'll send Rudy up when he gets here."
Oscar went on down stairs to get dinner ready.
When Rudy came home Oscar told him what Jaime mentioned about Marc. "He felt warm to me too Like Jaime said. It could be nothing but...
"I'll go check on him" Rudy said heading up the steps.
He entered the twin’s room. So what's up Marc?" Rudy asked
"I'm not sure anything is Rudy. My ear hurts." He didn't say anything about his shoulder. He knew what that was all about and didn't want to be in the hospital on his birthday. He would tell Rudy that as soon as the party was over.
Rudy looked in Marc's ear. "Ouch" Rudy exclaimed that does hurt. I'll get you some medicine that will make it feel better, ok?
Marc nodded.
"How about you Matt. Does your ear hurt?"
Matt shook his head.
Rudy turned back to Marc. "You just stay here. You have an ear infection we'll get it cleared up. Ok?"
"Sounds good." Marc replied.
smdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdm
"So what's with Marc?" Oscar asked when Rudy came into the kitchen.
"He has an ear infection. We can clear it up with antibiotics." Rudy informed him. "I'll run to the pharmacy and get some thing for him. I'll be back in a while."
"Ok Rudy. See you when you get back. Do you want me to save dinner?"
"No I'll grab something in town." Rudy exclaimed as he went out the door.
smdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdm
The next morning Marc's ear was feeling better but his shoulder still hurt. He still wouldn't say anything though
Jaime could hardly teach the twins they were so keyed up “Listen I’ll give you the day off, but I want you to spend part of your time studying for the test on Monday ok?"
"Ok the twins called as they ran upstairs. "Marc, do you feel better today?"
"Yea I feel much better." Marc lied. He and Matt went up to their room to play and study for the test.
After picking up the cake Oscar went into the office. He carried the cakes inside with him. When he got to his office. Callahan asked to see them “I want to see if they are right anyway.” Oscar observed as he opened the boxes.
The bakery got it right. Matt’s was white with chocolate frosting, and Marc’s was Chocolate cake with white frosting.
“They look delicious. Callahan commented
“Callahan I thought I extended the invitation to you. You’re more than welcome to join us tonight.” Oscar offered.
‘I would love to.” Callahan accepted.
“Around seven.” Oscar said.
“I’ll be there.”
smdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdm
Oscar finished early and headed home. He called Jaime first to let her know he was on the way.
“Hi Oscar.” Jaime greeted. Here let me take those.” She took the cakes from Oscar so he could get in the door.
“I’m not going home. I’m just meeting Steve here. I hope that’s ok.”
“That is just fine.” Oscar conceded
Rudy and Steve came together. Jaime’s car was already at Oscar’s so Steve would ride home with her.
They walked in the back door together. Steve carried the two boxes containing the dump trucks.
Rudy had an envelope with a picture of the gym set that was waiting outside to be put together.
“I invited Callahan to stop by after dinner for cake.” Oscar informed everyone as they ate corn dogs the twin’s favorite meal.
Again everyone was wrapped up in the excitement of the party. No one noticed Marc wasn’t having a good time. If they had been paying attention, they would have seen Marc seemed more than just a little tired. He was also in a lot of pain. But not wanting to spoil it for everyone he kept quiet. He didn’t even say anything to Steve.
As the evening progressed Callahan arrived and gave the twins her gift. A box of dinosaurs.
The twins took their presents upstairs to play.
“Come back down in a while for cake.” Oscar called after them.
“W will y you c call us?” Matt asked
“Of course I will you have fun.
They hadn’t been upstairs to long when Marc rubbed his shoulder again.
“You b better tell R Rudy. I think y you’re g growing again.”
“I will after the party. I don’t want to spoil anyone’s fun.” Marc replied.
Oscar was just getting ready to cut the cake when the house phone rang followed shortly after by the doorbell.
“I’ll get the house phone Oscar.” Rudy offered. “If you want to get the door.”
“Thanks Rudy. I can’t figure out who it could be. Everyone I asked to come is here.”
Oscar opened the door. A tall woman stood there. She was dressed in pale pink pants and a heavy dark blue over coat. She held a small baby in her arms. “Are you Oscar Goldman, Uncle to the Jenkins boys?”
“Yes, may I ask who are you?”
Before she could answer Rudy came back into the living room. “Oscar, that was Ralph. He said she broke security. He’s on his way up. He thought she was invited to the party when he went to check your list she just drove on in.”
Oscar turned back to her. “You have some explaining to do and do it fast.” Oscar demanded.
“May I come in?” She asked. “It’s cold out here and I’m afraid the baby…”
Not really wanting to invite the strange woman into his home but thinking of the baby He replied “By all means come in.” Oscar invited. He felt very safe with Steve and Jaime there. “Now what is the meaning of this intrusion?” They both walked over to the woman and stood on either side of her.
Ralph arrived and Steve let him in.
“My name is Laura, Laura Mills. I was seeing Tom Jenkins for some time. I just thought the boys would like to see their baby sister.”
“What!!!” Oscar shrieked bringing the Matt and Joey running from the twin’s room where they were playing.
Jaime stopped them before they could come downstairs to far. “Its ok boys go back upstairs.” Joey and Matt did as they were told. There was a strange person in the living room and going by what had happened in the past they were more than happy to obey.
”You have a lot of nerve!!” Oscar shouted. “I want you out of my house and off my property. NOW!!!”
“It’s not fair, the boys got all that money from the sell of the house and everything. My daughter gets noting?” She cried. “I will see to it that she gets what’s coming to her. She is a Jenkins also. She has just as much of a right to that money as the boys do.”
Trying to control his temper in front of Danny and the baby Oscar began. “Ms Mills. You and Tom had an affair behind my sister’s back. Tom cheated on my sister with you. I’m not about to give you a single penny, do I make myself clear?”
“Yes you do, but Kim is a Jenkins too. She entitled to at least a fifth of that money.” Laura seethed.
Calmly Oscar turned to Ralph. “I want you to escort this woman out of my house and off my property now! Ralph.”
“Yes sir Mr. Goldman” He took Laura gently by the elbow, “come Ms. Mills I’ll see you to the gate.” He turned to Oscar “I’m sorry she got by me sir.”
As she left Laura turned around “You haven’t heard the last of this I’ll see you in court!!” She screamed as Ralph led her down the path.
Oscar turned to Steve, Jaime and Rudy. “What else can go wrong?”
His answer was soon in coming. Matt came running down the stairs. “Dad, dad!” He cried something is wrong with Marc. He hurts a lot. It’s just like the last time when Rudy had to change him.”
"Why didn't he say something?" Oscar wanted to know
"He did 't want to spoil the party but now..."
Oscar, Rudy and Steve ran upstairs. Marc was lying on the bed. Steve ran over to him. “Hey partner, what’s wrong?”
“It hurts Steve, it hurts a lot, just like before. “ Marc cried.
“It’s ok we’ll get you fixed up in just a moment.” He turned to Oscar and Rudy “I’ll carry him down to the car. Is everything ready Rudy?”
Yea it’s been ready for about a week now.” Rudy told him.
They took Marc downstairs and Steve carried him out to the car. “Jaime you stay here with Matt and Joe. Danny you’re coming with me I want you to assist me.” Rudy called as they ran out the door.
Oscar stopped for just a moment. “Are you letting Danny help you?” He asked.
Danny grabbed his coat. “Dad the proper word in this situation is assist.”
“Is that a good idea?” Oscar wanted to know as they got into the car.
“He has to learn sometime.” Rudy stated as Oscar pulled out of the driveway. Rudy and Steve rode in the back with Marc.
They raced straight for Rudy’s lab when they arrived at OSI. Rudy prepared him for surgery.
Oscar and Steve observed the procedure from the observation deck. They waited for Rudy to come in and give them a report.
Six hours later Rudy and Danny stepped into the observation room. “He’s going to be fine Oscar. We had another problem though"
"I noticed something was going on. I heard you say something about his ear infection, then you turned the audio off."
"The infection was worse than I thought. It was actually Dan who discovered it. Anyway His eardrum burst. So I..."
"Replaced it with... Marc has bionic hearing now?"
"Yes I really had no choice."
"I understand Rudy. Is it full strength?
Rudy nodded. "Listen I want to keep a close watch on him for the next several days. I want him to stay here for a few days. You can take him home in about a week.
“Thanks Rudy. Did you use Danny’s theory? I mean the bionics that ‘grow’?”
“Yea I did we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”
THE END
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