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    CLJobe
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Stories posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 

Salvation - 12. Chapter 12

The first thing I noticed, David was helping Maria. The boys were sitting around the breakfast table. Looking, I think I may have to enlarge the table. I sat at the breakfast bar, and soon I had someone else on my lap. “Are you hungry?” He looked at me and smiled. “Gram will make us something good for breakfast.”

Breakfast was getting to be a big job, counting Maria and me, there were 9 of us. She handled it like a pro. Bowls of hot oatmeal with berries and maple syrup hit the table with steaming cups of hot chocolate. I ended up feeding Charlie as well as myself, from the same bowl. Each spoon earned me a smile.

With appetites somewhat tamed, the boys began to talk. “Steven, when you get a chance, show David his bedroom and bathroom.” I wasn’t going to make the same mistake twice. “Also, show him how to get around the house.”

I didn’t hear anything about dogs, “How are you boys doing cleaning the conservatory?”

“Come, and we’ll show you.”

I followed the boys to the conservatory. They had what looked like a pile of dead plants, leaves, and various material accumulated over the years. “Dad, we need to put this stuff somewhere.”

I thought that the gardening shop might have a suggestion. “Let’s leave it piled here for now. Maybe when we go and get some dirt for the tables, we can ask them.” The boys had two tables cleared of debris. We would need more dirt. “Keep cleaning the tables, and this weekend we can go and check out a few garden shops.”

I went to the office to see if there is a gardening supply store close. I found several, now to see if they sell or do they help to plan as well. I’m sure, for the right money, they’d come to the house and help the boys. I called several and finally selected a store that would come to the house and help the boys.

Now I need to find the keys to the door at the end of the bedroom hall. I looked through my desk and found nothing. “Maria, I am looking for a set of keys that fit the door at the end of the hall where the bedrooms are. Any help?”

“There is a set of keys in the ‘junk’ drawer, try them.”

Every home has a junk drawer, a place to put things you may not know what they are, but they look like something you should keep. Sure enough, there was an old fashion ring with several keys on it. None of the keys matched the house keys.

Just as I was going upstairs to check the door, Steven was coming down the stairs. I wanted to see Steven alone, anyway. Here was my chance. “Steven, if you aren’t planning on doing anything, come with me.”

I walked to the door with Steven, “There’s the possibility we may have more boys joining us, so we’re going to need more bedrooms. If I’m right, this door should lead to the attic. Let’s see if I’m right.”

As I opened the door, we were hit with a musty smell that would indicate that this door was closed for a long time. I saw a light switch on the wall. I flipped it, nothing happened. “Steven, could you please bring me the flashlight from the junk drawer in the kitchen, then we shall see what’s at the end of these stairs.”

With a grin, he fast-walked to bring me the flashlight. I thought if this is the attic, there might be a possibility to provide rooms there. Of course, that would depend on the conditions there.

“Here’s the flashlight, Dad.”

“Good, now let’s take a look at what we have.” Walking into an attic, you never know what you will find, except you know there will be cobwebs. I was amazed. The attic covered the entire house. Light bulbs were hanging from an electric wire, “Steven, remind me to get light bulbs. We’ll check out this room. I’ll need you boys to clean it, but I think we could get at least another ten rooms here. I have an architect coming next week. We shall see what he thinks.”

I was pleased, but I needed to get the house prints and the plat prints of the property. I’m sure the architect will want both. “Steven, let’s go and get some light bulbs.”

“Maria, Steven and I are going to the supermarket to get light bulbs. Do you need anything?” While she wrote out a list, the other boys heard and wanted to come along as well. Now I don’t have a big car, but they all fitted in.

Shopping with the boys was an eye-opener for me. I usually don’t do the shopping, Maria does. Steven took the cart, and we started. Anthony wanted some Italian cookies, so I said ok. They asked me what my favorite cookies were, I told them. They saw the various sausages and salamis, so we had to get that, then the cereal, there were several kinds, they wanted to try a few, and at last, we did Maria’s shopping, and I almost forgot the light bulbs. We had three bags. I laughed when Maria looked at me.”

“I’m never going shopping again. They ganged up on me.’ Maria laughed. We got the items on her list. The boys would eat the extra; there was no doubt about that. Steven took the light bulbs, and we headed for the attic. We now had all of the boys.

I replace the bulb at the front of the steps, thinking if it works here, it’ll work upstairs. Fortunately, when I threw the switch, we had light. Steven was smiling as he and the boys headed upstairs. Between Steven and David, they had all of the bulbs replaced in a short time. I was amazed at the space.

That night at dinner, I explained to the boys what was going to happen. Steven mentioned that we needed to clean the area of the dust and cobwebs. I suggest they take the electric sweeper and use it as much as possible. I wanted to keep the dust down. I certainly didn’t want the boys to get sick

Copyright © 2020 CLJobe; All Rights Reserved.
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Stories posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 
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Chapter Comments

Great chapter. After the attic is cleaned, hopefully the architect will be able to turn it into new bedrooms before more boys arrive.

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Another revealing chapter. This time, more.

More insight into Carleton's sons, from 8-year old Charlie who can't get enough time in 'Dad's' lap (I think whatever other information Alex provides may answer questions about Charlie's history), to David in his early teens, and Steven (at this time possibly the eldest). :glomp:

More, with the mysterious locked door that turns out to a a spacious (full height?) attic that Carleton thinks would fit 10 more single bedrooms? Even with 'Jack & Jack' shared bathroom between 2 bedrooms that's a BIG attic. Good thing the architects on the way.

Okay CL, we're solidly hooked for the next 23 chapters. :read:

TC-SS-SD-WTM (easier? ) :heart:

:thankyou:

Tony

 

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3 hours ago, Anton_Cloche said:

Another revealing chapter. This time, more.

More insight into Carleton's sons, from 8-year old Charlie who can't get enough time in 'Dad's' lap (I think whatever other information Alex provides may answer questions about Charlie's history), to David in his early teens, and Steven (at this time possibly the eldest). :glomp:

More, with the mysterious locked door that turns out to a a spacious (full height?) attic that Carleton thinks would fit 10 more single bedrooms? Even with 'Jack & Jack' shared bathroom between 2 bedrooms that's a BIG attic. Good thing the architects on the way.

Okay CL, we're solidly hooked for the next 23 chapters. :read:

TC-SS-SD-WTM (easier? ) :heart:

:thankyou:

Tony

 

'Jack and Jack',  awesome !

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Hope you are well!  Missed a chapter coming out last night and this morning.You have spoiled us with a chapter each morning and one at night.

 

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21 hours ago, Anton_Cloche said:

Another revealing chapter. This time, more.

More insight into Carleton's sons, from 8-year old Charlie who can't get enough time in 'Dad's' lap (I think whatever other information Alex provides may answer questions about Charlie's history), to David in his early teens, and Steven (at this time possibly the eldest). :glomp:

More, with the mysterious locked door that turns out to a a spacious (full height?) attic that Carleton thinks would fit 10 more single bedrooms? Even with 'Jack & Jack' shared bathroom between 2 bedrooms that's a BIG attic. Good thing the architects on the way.

Okay CL, we're solidly hooked for the next 23 chapters. :read:

TC-SS-SD-WTM (easier? ) :heart:

:thankyou:

Tony

 

How did you know there were 23 more chapters? You could be wrong, maybe more or less. HMMMMM I guess we have to wait to see.

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16 hours ago, Philippe said:

You remind me of the old smokehouse and root cellars of country pantries. The ranch is sprouting boys so quickly that we are looking at a shortage of pantry space. Likewise, I believe too many of the old ways are totally dismissed when relying on modern conveniences; yet when the power goes out, the time before spoilage is reduced so shouldn’t we combine the best of old and new? lol Hmmm, smokehouse, greenhouse, root cellar, etc.

I’m enjoying how the boys’ home is expanding. That life connection between boys who may or may not have crossed paths on the city streets, have certainly crossed paths on the streets of hard knocks; the immediate bonds between the boys surviving those trials are something of a beautiful rebirth born out of tragedy, This brings emotions so deeply sad but can’t help but end in tears of joy.

 @CLJobe Thank you for the heartwarming journey!

One thing life has taught me, when you are down and someone offers you a helping hand, the allegiance they get, is beyond understanding. The boys look upon Carleton, more tha a father, he is their salvation.

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6 hours ago, Buz said:

Its the 'They ganged up on me' for me :)

 

Son you are familiar when they "Ganged up on you". It's an old expression when the odds against you are overwhelming. And the boys are ready to do that with good intentions.

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@CLJobe. Hi Calvin, how are you? I and other readers as well were worried about you being MIA.

Welcome back and hope everything is all right.

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Just now, CLJobe said:

We had an electrical outage and I was off line till this morning. A new chapter is up.

Well, well Mr Jobe, since last night's chapter is still missing my guess is that your readers should gang up on you and DEMAND three chapters today. Fair is fair.😜

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20 hours ago, Philippe said:

You remind me of the old smokehouse and root cellars of country pantries. The ranch is sprouting boys so quickly that we are looking at a shortage of pantry space. Likewise, I believe too many of the old ways are totally dismissed when relying on modern conveniences; yet when the power goes out, the time before spoilage is reduced so shouldn’t we combine the best of old and new? lol Hmmm, smokehouse, greenhouse, root cellar, etc.

I’m enjoying how the boys’ home is expanding. That life connection between boys who may or may not have crossed paths on the city streets, have certainly crossed paths on the streets of hard knocks; the immediate bonds between the boys surviving those trials are something of a beautiful rebirth born out of tragedy, This brings emotions so deeply sad but can’t help but end in tears of joy.

 @CLJobe Thank you for the heartwarming journey!

You are welcome. I sometimes have tears when I write this. I have met some off these boys, my heart went out to them. When I was visiting NYC, a young boy, possibly 16-18 years old. Asked for money for food. I emptied my pocket, it wasn't much, maybe 30 dollars at most. His reaction will be with me forever. This happened about 50 years ago. I never have forgotten.

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2 hours ago, Tonyr said:

Well, well Mr Jobe, since last night's chapter is still missing my guess is that your readers should gang up on you and DEMAND three chapters today. Fair is fair.😜

I should gladly do that but the rules restrict me to two chapters. Maybe I can give you a very long chapter to make up for it. How's that?

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3 hours ago, Tonyr said:

@CLJobe. Hi Calvin, how are you? I and other readers as well were worried about you being MIA.

Welcome back and hope everything is all right.

Electric is back and so is a chapter 

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3 hours ago, CLJobe said:

Son you are familiar when they "Ganged up on you". It's an old expression when the odds against you are overwhelming. And the boys are ready to do that with good intentions.

"It's the....for me" is a Tik Tok thing, or at least that's where I originally saw its regular usage. Its when you want to highlight the part (in a story, video, whatever) that made you laugh or stood out for you, etc.

I thought that part was cute and that no-one anywhere would have believed him for a nano-second :)

Glad all is good in your hood...

 

Edited by Buz
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3 hours ago, CLJobe said:

Son you are familiar when they "Ganged up on you". It's an old expression when the odds against you are overwhelming. And the boys are ready to do that with good intentions.

Yes, I'm familiar with that phase as well.Thanks, Dad

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2 minutes ago, Buz said:

"It's the....for me" is a Tik Tok thing, or at least that's where I originally saw its regular usage. Its when you want to highlight the part (in a story, video, whatever) that made you laugh or stood out for you, etc.

I thought that part was cute and that no-one anywhere would have believed him for a nano-second :)

 

With you on that. It was good nature

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