Chapter 68
“Really, Papa?”
“I told you so last night, didn’t I? I’m determined to rescue your mother who raised you from the clutches of a woman who sounds like something out of Wizard of Oz. So you better eat hearty if we are to do battle with the Munchkins; because if you don’t eat everything on your plate, you’ll find it piled even higher at your next meal.”
“Yeah, I’m sure Aunt Mary could pose for both of the Wicked Witches at once, along with a few dozen Munchkins,” Brian commented snidely.
“Does she have a weight problem?” Bear asked, waiting for the punch line.
“No, she has a ‘see’ food problem.”
“Is she allergic to seafood?”
“No, she sees food and then it goes directly into her mouth.”
“Not too respectful of Aunt Mary, I see,” Bear chided. “She did take your mother into her home.”
“Papa, she took my mother’s money into her home. If she had a Harry Potter-like closet, my mother would be in it. I guess I better call the old witch and tell her we are coming.”
“Brian, wait. Your mother will be there whether we call ahead or not, right?” Bear asked.
“Yeah, she can only walk as far as the neighbor’s house where Mary sends her if she’s going to go out. It is only three doors down. Since I come and go all of the time, they don’t ask me for a pass at the gate anymore, or bother to call her and let her know I’m coming. She grumbles about it but won’t give the gatekeepers a tip on the holiday, so she bitches in vain,” Brian said with a slight upward curve to his lip.
“I’m hoping they don’t tip her off today. Maria,” Bear called.
“Get Junior to ready the big limousine. We are going to use it today. Oh, and tell Mr. Santore I’d like to use the Cobra one night this week, so he will need to take it into town to be washed and hand waxed.”
“You have a Cobra?” Brian asked, wide eyed.
“Yes, I do, a 1967 AC Shelby 427 red Cobra rag top, with a white racing stripe, in pristine condition,” Bear answered with pride.
“Would you give me a ride in it, Papa?” Brian begged eagerly.
“Maybe, but right now we have business to transact.
Remember, baby, I live a very good life here and so will you. Nevertheless, we have to work to support it. I intend to cut back on my hours, but it is important to keep your hands on the wheel or you may find someone else driving.” Bear looked at Brian and was pleased to see the cub not only absorbed what he told him, but also was thinking about it
“If that’s the case, Papa, maybe you should clean house a bit before you cut back,” Brian said. “There are some people over at Drummond who’ve made gold bricking into an art form.”
“Would you feel uncomfortable pointing them out to management, Brian?”
“Not really, Papa. I was afraid of Robbins, but the rest of them are all bluster. I can see some of the older employees taking a somewhat longer break, but they always get their work finished. The ones who hang out with Robbins, however, they always bullied someone else into doing most of their share. Since Robbins backed them, they would get away with it. Those are the ones who should be put on notice.”
“Those are the ones whose ass Mavis is going to fire first,” Bear growled.
Brian giggled. In complete agreement with one another, they seated themselves in Bear’s black limousine and headed to the senior living development in Allentown.
Brian’s aunt was about to leave her residence as Bear’s limousine pulled into her driveway. Brian could see she was all done up for one of her trips to Atlantic City.
“What is the meaning of this, Brian Murphy? You know you are supposed to call before you come here, and who is this man with the vulgar limousine? You will have all the neighbors talking and I will not be able to hold up my head at bridge on Tuesday. Well, young man, I asked you a question. Who is this man?”
“My name is Donald K. Drummond of Drummond Realty.
You may recognize the name, because I own many of the shopping centers and strip malls in the area. You must be Brian’s Aunt Mary.”
“Yes, I’m Brian’s aunt, but what does it have to do with you, Mr. Drummond? Brian visits this house on family business. I don’t see him socially. Nor do I encourage these weekly pilgrimages to see his mother. They only upset her. Yet the boy continues the practice as if it were her home and not mine.” Aunt Mary gave Bear a high sniff and a raised brow.