There Must Be A Mistake Ch. 31

"I've been working on something. It's nothing yet, but if it turns into something, and I need your help I'll let you know."

"I'll always be here for you baby. It would be marvelous if you could patent something the day before we leave. A sort of 'Goodbye Earth', we are leaving two Luck's behind to carry on our name."

******************

The house phone rang. "Luck residence."

"Hi Doctor Luck, it's Zoey how are you?"

I signaled everyone at the table to keep their voices down, as I said, "I'm fine Zoey how are you?"

"I'm fine, lonely, but fine."

"Does your mother know you are calling?"

"No, she would kill me if she knew. That's why am using the house phone. She checks my cell phone to see if I'm calling my dad or anyone else she doesn't want me to have contact with."

"Has your dad made contact with you?"

"Yes, I know what you are going to try to do, and I thank you for it. I think she would rather see me dead then gone."

"Don't say that Zoey, your mother may be misguided, but she still loves you very much."

"Do you think Gordon would talk to me for a little while?"

"I think Gordon would walk through fire for you. I'll get him."

I opened the kids' door and signaled Gordon he had a phone call. When he asked, "Who," I'm mouthed, "Zoey."

He jumped over both his brothers, without touching a hair on their heads, and took the phone from my hand. He was in his room, closed, and locked his door before I could breathe another breath. I think he was excited to hear from her.

The next thing I heard was the phone being thrown up against the wall, and Gordon saying words he very rarely uttered. Jen came running down towards me wondering what was happening, and I didn't know. I knocked on Gordon's door, and he yelled, "Leave me alone."

I ordered him to open the door leaving him no option this time.

When he opened the door his face was full of tears, and Jennifer grabbed him.

"What happened sweetheart, what did she say?"

He cried out, "She wasn't there, she just hung up. She didn't want to speak to me."

"Gordon that's not true, she wanted to speak to you. Her mother must have come home and she had to hang up quickly. Her mother checks her cell phone to see whom she calls. She will call back when she can. I promise you son she will call you back."

"I'm going to get her dad. Her mother cannot keep her from me. She's 18 years old. She can make her own decisions. If she looks at me, and she looks at her mother, she will choose me. I know she will."

"You will start a war Gordon, and you don't want to do that now. Her father and I are working on some things to get her to you. Do you trust me?"

"Yes I trust your dad, but I want her with me now."

"It will not be now. You will have her on Christmas Day. I swear to you she will be with you on Christmas Day, one way or the other."

"I won't leave without her dad. I will grab her out of her mother's arms if I have to, but I won't leave without her."

"Your mother and I agree on it. You've been moping around too long, and she is the reason why. We will get her for you son. I promise you she will be yours on Christmas Day. If you want, you can go shopping with your sister, and buy Zoey clothes for the trip. If you'd rather not, you can send your sister and your mother on a shopping trip to Dallas, where they can buy all those pretty girly things. Remember, she can only take one suitcase, so don't buy her a small suitcase."

Gordon left his mother's arms and climbed into mine. "I would buy her the world if she wanted it. Since were leaving, I'll let mom and Delicious by her big travel trunk, and fill it with pretty things. Mom, you have carte blanche, by her only the best and smallest there is."

"You are going to get her pregnant Gordon, and you are going to do it in a hurry. Tiny things are only going to last a little while, and then she's going to outgrow them."

"By her the prettiest maternity outfits there are. Delicious said we are all going to lose weight, because of our diets. I don't think Zoey is going to get as big as you think she is. I don't believe you or Delicious are either."

"What a blessing that would be Gordon. I gained 32 pounds with you. I gained more with Richard and Holden."

"That's because I kept you active during your nine months of pregnancy dear. I kept you hungry from all that activity."

"If that's the reason why Even, consider yourself cut off until this baby is born."

"Do you remember Newton's question dad?"

"At this moment, I remember it too well."

"I think it's a little late for you to remember not to get into an argument with mom. She is a woman you know."

"Yes my son, that's why she's pregnant, and I am not."

"Even consider yourself cut off for the rest of your life."

"Why, what did I say that wasn't true?"

"It wasn't what you said to our son, it was the way you said it. One more remark like that and you will be sleeping on the couch."

"How did this discussion start with a phone call for Gordon, and wind up with me sleeping on the couch?"

"I think we will call it Newton Luck Thyme's law dad. It seems fitting at this point."

"I think you should go shopping for Zoey with a lunch bag, at Walmart."

"I didn't get you in trouble dad, you did."

"I think I'll go talk to Gray, I may have better luck with him."

"Stay away from me Even; I do a good job getting into trouble all by myself."

Delicious asked, "Was that good daddy, or bad daddy Teddy?"

"Very good daddy."

"Do you see Gray; your daughter even knows when you're being good."

"All I did Delicious was revert back to Newton's law. Never get into an argument with a woman, you will always lose."

"Daddy's getting very smart baby."

"Smart like me."

"Hey, what about me?"

"You me both smart. I grow up, you grow up."

"Not one word Grayson or your days have just run out."

"Can I say something about that?"

Jennifer, Delicious, Gordon, Gray, and Teddy said, "NO!"

"I didn't think so, but I'm going to anyhow."

They moved as one towards me, while I turned and started running towards the front door. The five of them started running after me in earnest.

Teddy was laughing as she was being bounced around in her mother's arms. I threw the front door open and nearly knocked over the delivery girl, who was bringing our dinner from the Italian restaurant. She jumped to the side, as I leapt off the porch onto what the Texans called grass. Gordon's speed was hampered by the women in front of him. As soon as I reached the first SUV parked in front of the house, I jumped in, and locked the doors. By the time they arrived, I was safe, smug, and secure; at least I thought I was until Gordon dangled a key fob before my eyes.

I yelled, "Traitor."

The next sound I heard were the locks disengaging. I looked to my right and Jennifer was glaring at me. I looked to my left, and my daughter was looking at me. She no longer had Teddy in her arms so I felt safer going up against my wife. I was wrong.

As I went to push open her door, she pushed back keeping it closed. She grinned as I realized my daughter now had free access to my back. Delicious was on me in an instant, and motherhood had made her stronger than ever before. In the close confines of the vehicle there was very little I could do to get her off me without hurting her, or myself, but I had to try. Then I remembered she was ticklish. There was no way on earth I could get her into a compromising position as I did the first time, when she was only 16.

I reached my right hand under my left arm, and contorted my body as much as I could and felt for hers. When I found her ribs, I forced her back against the cushions, and I began to tickle her.

She screamed as if she had been hit by a cattle prod. "Daddy, that's cheating!"

As she wriggled and twisted her body to move it away from my probing digits, the grip she had around my neck loosened, and I was able to reverse my position, and hers. She was now on her back looking up at me, but I had stopped tickling her.

I said, "Once, a long time ago, I did this to you and I wound up in the position I didn't like. I'm glad we've moved on since then."

"I remember dad. I told you then I knew you would never hurt me, and I was right. Even through all the shit I've gone through, all you've ever done is love me, and help me grow. I still think you're an asshole sometimes, but it doesn't mean I don't love you."

"Thank you my darling daughter, and the next time your mother comes calling, ask her why she didn't do a better job cleaning herself after our mistake. I wouldn't have as many gray hairs as I do if it weren't for you."

"If it wasn't for me dad, they wouldn't be an egg in the nest."

"Do you mean I would be a humble billionaire struggling through life paying my taxes, flying all around the world in my private jet, attending private parties with the Who's Who of the World, with doe eyed young girls fawning all over me? Is that what you're saying darling?"

"Yes dad, that's exactly what I'm saying. However, in reality, you would be holed up in your laboratory, in Idaho Springs. You would be growing mold behind your ears, and between your toes, and driving that God-awful car of yours. The only fun you would have in life is arguing with Rod once every two weeks. The only woman you would ever see is Rosalynn, and that is because you are too lazy to get your own mail, and she already knows your codes.

That thing between your legs will shrivel up and die an unnatural death, just like a snake sheds its skin, and it would just fall off from lack of use. You would never know if it's day or night, because I am not going to be there to keep you on a schedule. My mother may visit you since you are close by. She may actually hasten your arrival time at her side. I think I'll put you on top of one another, instead of side by side. Neither of you enjoyed yourselves, while you created me."

As I was exiting the car, and holding her hand helping her out I said, "Look at you, Delicious, who could possibly have a good time creating you."

She screamed, and I started running again. Two ingrates grabbed me after I took a few steps.

Gray smiled at me, the type of smile where he knew I was in so much trouble I would never be able to dig my way out.

"Dad, what has gotten into you tonight? You are a dead man, and you deserve to die."

I didn't have time to say anything, as to professional linebackers crushed my spine. I looked up from the floor, and about 10 feet in front of me were Liz and Monty making sure nothing got out of hand. After all, tomorrow was payday, and I still signed their checks personally. It was something I did for almost 2 dozen people, who had been with us for many years. I wanted to make them know how much I appreciated them, as well as their service. I wouldn't have minded if they stepped in at this moment either, but I knew they wouldn't, because this was a family affair, and if I wanted to stop it I could."

"Finally I shouted, did anybody remember to pay for the food?"

Holden peeked down at me and said, "Yes dad, I paid the girl. She asked me if this went on all the time."

"I told her no; just before dinner, and before sex." She blushed and ran away."

Jen yelled, "Holden, you are to stay away from Gordon, until we leave. He is a bad influence on you."

"It's not me Mom, have you checked Richard's reading material lately?"

"Richard, bring me those books."

"What books?"

"The books Gordon is talking about."

"Mom, you have to start expanding your mind. When have you ever taken me to a library, or a bookstore? I read from my computer, I can get anything I want in a matter of seconds, and no one asks how old I am."

"I'm going to put a parental lock on your computer."

"I love you mom, but it would take you an hour to figure out how to do it, and 10 seconds for me to undo your work."

"I will use a password."

"I included that in the 10 seconds."

"I think I'm going to give you a spanking."

"I think I will blow up your bed."

"Just make sure I'm not in it."

"That all depends on how hard you spank me."

"When was the last time you got a spanking Richard?"

"I don't remember ever getting spanked."

"You have a very good memory."

"In that case maybe we'll just use Gordon's invention, and bounce your bed off the ceiling."

"I'm sorry guys, my invention doesn't work that way. It needs a force approaching it, so it can react, and repulse it. Now if you want to put huge speakers on mom's ceiling..."

"That will be quite enough out of you mister. You may stop your explanations if you wish to continue living."

"Yes mother, I have received your message, and I will desist from all further discussion of putting speakers on the ceiling and sending one large burst of sound downward, towards your bed to activate my system."

"The next time Zoey calls Gordon, I'm going to hang up."

"You wouldn't do that to me mom."

"Watch me Gordon."

"I take it all back Richard. The space between the ceiling, the bed, and the floor where my system would be is too short. It would not have enough time to react properly."

Richard replied, "I understand. I won't try it until after you leave, and I bet you it will work."

"What am I going to do with the three of them Even?"

"When you and Delicious let go of my arms, and get off my back, I'll tell you, but not before. I believe you've gotten your pound of flesh for this evening. Dinner is on the table getting cold. My back is going to ache during the wedding tomorrow, because of an innocent statement I made today. And the two of you have forgotten how to act like ladies. Acting as you have been today, you will probably want to go to the wedding in roller skates."

Jennifer asked, "What did you eat at work today Even? What ever it was, don't eat it again. Every time you open your mouth, you get in more trouble than you were a second ago."

"Gordon do you remember what it was called? It had a really funny name, but they were out of everything else so I tried it. It had several kinds of meats, and onions and vegetables in it, surrounded by a pale skin. I think they called it "HAGGIS."

The girls jumped off me as if I was a leper yelling, "Haggis?"

Delicious closed her nose and covered her mouth, as Jen said to me, "You're not sleeping with me tonight. If you fart, and it ignites the room will be totally engaged in less then a second. Neither of us will have a chance to get out of it."

I pulled Jen towards me, kissed her, and trapped her arms as I said, "One day you are going to figure out when I am telling a joke, and when I am telling the truth. I know what haggis is, and I would not touch it if it was the last thing in the commissary."

Jen brought her foot down hard on my toes. I don't believe she was in a forgiving mood today.

Delicious started moving towards me, but Gray saved me from her. As she stared menacingly at him.

"The appropriate party has already dealt out the punishment for his last error in judgment dear. Your job now is to bask in her glory, not to add to her punishment."

She seethed as she processed his statement, and became more angry as she realized he was correct. As Gray kissed her earlobe, and her lips, the anger dissipated, and her head joined Teddy's on Gray's chest.

Teddy looked her mother straight in the eye. "Good mommy, very good mommy."

"I know."

"I love my mommy."

"I know."

Delicious watched as Teddy's eyes closed and went back to sleep. She couldn't believe her daughter was going to let her have the last word, before she went to sleep.

Delicious continued resting her head against Gray's chest, but was about to say something. Teddy beat her. With her eyes still closed she said, "Mommy eat, I sleep a little bit more."

"Okay Teddy, I'll save three meatballs for you."

Teddy didn't answer, she just went back to sleep.

**********************

153. Saturday (8:00A.M.)

The five food trucks were lined up side by side, on the south side of the walkway, as close to the kitchen as possible. The eight food preparation trucks were lined up on the north side of the walkway, and every inch of them was spotless inside. One large propane tanker sat 30 feet behind them, with hoses connecting directly to their tanks. There were several other things you normally didn't want to see at kitchens for parties this size and this important, but they were requested by Chef Maximilian for this event.

Fire marshals crawled all over the event hall, the kitchens, and every asset that was outside to make sure everything was at code or above.

Health inspectors were also running around making sure everything was sanitary, and met or exceeded Austin city codes.

Multiple cleaning crews were hired to pressure clean the entire kitchen from ceiling to floor, but especially the grease pits, the food preparation trucks that waited outside. The vents, employee locker rooms, and every bathroom on the first floor were spotless. At times there was two inches of water floating on the kitchen floor, but by this morning, it sparkled like new.

As soon as the Fire Marshals, and the Health Department Inspectors were done, and the paperwork was signed and stamped, copies were made, and placed in public areas near the main ballroom for all to see. Maximilian was leaving no stone unturned.

Classwork started at 8:15 AM. Anyone who would be going to the exterior refrigerators or freezers was given a plastic card showing them exactly where each piece of meat, veal, chicken, or fish was located. The freezers held ice cream, and shells for cookies or torts that could be baked in as little as 10 minutes.

The interior refrigerator was stuffed with vegetables of every kind imaginable. From $90 an ounce truffles to button mushrooms, it was in that huge refrigerator, along with six varieties of lettuce, celery, reddish, rutabaga and everything else to make what was on their evening menu.

Maximilian was about to adjourn the meeting when he pointed to Chef Metzler.

"This is Chef Roland. He will be floating around today, as will I. If you have any problems, call him or me. The only person that has more authority than Roland is me. If two of you get into an argument, and Roland steps in, his word is law. Do you all understand this?"

There was a chorus of yeses, and Maximilian said, "Okay let's get to work."

It was 9:30 in the morning, soups had to be started, salads had to be prepared, garnishes had to be made ready, potatoes had to be baked, and the thousands of little things that made meals look more enticing than just a slab of beef sitting on your plate had to be sorted out. Preparations for the Finch wedding were now in high gear, and would not end, until the last cup of coffee was served.

At 10 AM, 130 servers were lined up on the dance floor, 10 deep by 13 across. They had never been told to do this before, and wondered why they were doing it now.

Chef Maximilian, with Roland at his side, walked into the room and greeted them. Without a preamble, he started, "The Finch wedding is the single most important wedding you will ever have the privilege of working. 12 of the wealthiest people in the world are going to be here. However, one of those people is named William Zabo. That name alone can make or break a President. He can cause a country to fail by withdrawing his money from their banks. He has more power than most Senators and Congressmen in Washington. The 12 people that are here today can push through any law they want within 90 days. You may think I am overstating my case, but they have already done it, and the skies are bluer because of it.

Now for the reason you are standing in the positions you are in. You are about to be inspected from the top of your shoes to the top of your head. If you are not in pristine condition, you are going home. Men if your hair is too long we have a barber here who will give you a Marine style haircut at no cost to you. Ladies, if you have green hair, you may as well leave now, because that is unacceptable for this event. There is an event-taking place in the West Room, you can see if they need help there.