Timothy - 34. Chapter 34

That evening Randy arrived with Mom and Aunt Clara. “Dad said for me to stay, but I need to get back home.”

“Well, you can’t go home today. Stay the night, and you can leave after breakfast tomorrow. I’ll call Dad and tell him.”

“Tim, we can set up a cot in your office for him, or he can…..

“No, he can’t sleep with us.”

“I wasn’t going to suggest that. I was going to suggest we set up a cot in Aunt Clara’s room.”

Laughing, “Let’s ask him.”

“Randy, do you want to sleep on a cot in Tim’s study or your Mother’s room?”

“Is there room in the study? There is a lot of equipment in that room.”

“There is room.”

“Call Dad and tell him you are staying the night. He’ll be worried if you don’t show up tonight.”

“Tim, let’s call the Pizza Shack and have the deliver dinner.”

“Can I order the pizza?”

“Sure, but you need to order three orders of spaghetti with meatballs, also.”

“Want to bet he orders a large with everything?”

“No, but he will be disappointed; those won’t be as large as the one he got back when we were at the university.”

“There will be enough spaghetti for him.”

Over dinner we had, what has been referred to as small talk. One subject and name were not mentioned. I was curious about Ann Marie’s reaction when she received the letter from the lawyer. But this was a family dinner, so we discussed Eva’s wedding, Parker’s selling, what we would do with that farm, and Randy’s plans for the future.

“Randy, what are your plans for your future?”

“I haven’t decided between commuter technology or raising goats.”

Everyone laughed. It was evident that Randy had a sense of humor.

“Seriously, have you given much thought as to what you are going to do when you graduate high school?” Everyone laughed.

“Yes, Dad and I have had a few serious chats. There are a lot of options.” Looking at his mother, “I think I’d like to be a doctor.” He no sooner said that when Aunt Clara had him in her arms.

I realized the bond that had developed over the years between them was strong. Looking at Stephen, I mouthed the words, “He would be a great doctor.” I got a smile back.

A knock on our door announced the arrival of our dinner. Before Stephen could answer the door, Randy opened the door, took the pizza and spaghetti, and walked away, leaving Stephen to pay. Mom started the coffee. Aunt Clara was taking the makings for a salad from the refrigerator. It seemed like in no time, the table was set. Randy placed the containers of spaghetti in the center of the table and the pizza in front of his seat.

We watched as he opened the box. Why do people smell the aroma of pizza before taking a slice to eat? He smiled; we heard a hmmm, then the first bite. He was enjoying that bite when he looked around the table, “What?”

Laughing, “We were just watching you as you fell in love with your pizza.”

“Just enjoy it, son.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

It felt good to be eating together as a family. We told Mom how when Randy had a good report card, we would go to a pizza place, and he could order whatever he wanted. Leftovers we took to his apartment. Eventually, we just started to do take-outs.

“I think this is the first time we did this since we were married.”

“We should do this more often.”

“Yes, at least once a week.”

“I figured you would go for that. You’d have to drive up each week.”

“Unless I find a good Pizza place back home.”

“I don’t understand why there isn’t a pizza place there now. High school kids would guaranteed success.”

“I wonder if I could turn the Parker farm into a pizza restaurant?”

“That would be great, and I could work there.”

Laughing, “We wouldn’t make any money. You would eat all the profits.”

It was nice sitting there and just talking. It reminded me of a time when we sat around the table chatting and laughing. I miss those times, and hopefully, we will be getting back to those times soon. I looked at Stephen, and he was having a good time. I listened as he teased Randy. They are close. Stephen has known Randy for a long time. I couldn’t think of a better role model for Randy.

That night lying in bed, after our shower, “Randy looks up to you. You are a role model for him. What do you think about him becoming a doctor?”

“He is level-headed, and once he sets his mind to something, he follows through. He’ll be a great doctor, you’ll see.”

“As long as they pay him with pizza.”

I didn’t fall asleep right away. I thought about Randy and Stephen. I hadn’t forgotten my dream of Donnie telling me that my first son was to be called Donnie. How would Stephen react, and more importantly, how would Randy react? “Donnie, if you are listening, I hope you are right, and everything will work out. I snuggled in Stephen’s arms and fell asleep. Donnie wasn’t finished with me. “Tim, offer Dad 170,000 for the farm.”