Picket Fences! Part 39

Picket Fences! Part 39


Over at the church . .


After Joseph talked to Jonathan on the telephone, he told Nathan "He's on his way over."


Jonathan soon arrived and walked into the paronage.


"Hello pastor, where's the person who wants to see me?", asked Jonathan.

"He's waiting for you in my study, but there's something I need to tell you before you see him", said Joseph.


"You sound kinda serious. What is it?", asked Jonathan.

"This person is a teenage boy who thinks you're his father", said Joseph.


"I don't have any kids!", said Jonathan.



"That very well may be, but I think you should listen to what the boy has to say. Nathan, that's his name, seems to be pretty sure about it", said Joseph.

The preacher called Nathan over and introduced him to Jonathan.


"Alright, now tell me what makes you think I might be your father", said Jonathan.

"My mom told me just before she died", said Nathan.

"What was your mom's first name?", asked Jonathan.


"Her name was Elizabeth. That's her in this picture with you", said Nathan.



"Yes, I remember her now. I rented a room from her folks for a few months", Jonathan said.



"When's your birthday?", he asked the boy.

"April 5th", said Nathan.


"
Yes, that's about right. I reckon I am your father", said Jonathan.



"Are you going to take me home with you?", asked Nathan.


"Yes, I reckon so. Let me call my wife", he said.


Jonathan used the telephone in the study to call Shannan.

"Sweetheart, I'm bringing home a houseguest. I'll explain when I get home", he said.


"Well . . . it's kinda short notice. I wish you had let me known sooner."

"I'm sorry but I just found out myself", said Jonathan, "We'll be there in a few minutes.



"Did your wife get mad when you told her you were bringing me home?", asked Nathan.

"No, she's pretty understanding about things", said Jonathan. "At least I hope she is", he thought to himself.



"Thank you Rev. Woods", said Jonathan.



Then Jonathan left with his son to go home.




"Wow, this is where you live! This is a cool place", said Nathan.


Shannan was sitting on the sofa when they walked in . . .

"Sweetheart, I want you to meet someone", said Jonathan.


"Shannan, this is Nathan Jordan. Nathan, this is my wife Shannan", said Jonathan.

"I'm glad to meet you Mrs. Henry", said Nathan.

"Please, call me Shannan", she said, "Mrs. Henry makes me sound so old."



"The guestroom is all ready for you. You can put your things in there", she said.

"Thank you, but I ain't got no things", said Nathan.

"Oh . . . well alright", she said.



"You go have a look at your room while I explain things to my wife", said Jonathan.



"Jonathan, who is that boy?", asked Shannan.

"Nathan is my son. I knew his mother when I lived in Pleasantview. I swear I didn't know he existed until today", said Jonathan.



"Where is his mother now?", asked Shannan.

"Apparently she died recently. I didn't get a chance to hear the whole story", he said.


"Jonathan, are you sure you're his father?", asked Shannan.

"Yes, I'm sure. I rented a room for a few months from Elizabeth's folks right after I left the orphanage. She and I were both young and . . . well you can guess the rest. Besides that, I was her first woo hoo. I found my own place and moved out shortly afterwards. I never heard from her again", Jonathan explained.



"I love you Jonathan and I would have married you whether you had a child or not. We both wanted childern, so you having Nathan has given us a head start", she said.

"I didn't think it was possible, but I love you even more for accepting my child as your own", he said.



Then Shannan's carpool arrived to take her to work.



She hurriedly changed into her business suit and ran to get in.



Nathan was relaxing on the bed in his room when he heard Jonathan calling him.



"Since you're going to be living here from now on, we're going shopping to buy you some school clothes and anything else you need", said Jonathan.


Jonathan called Transpotation and ordered a taxicab.


When they got in, Jonathan told the driver to take them to City Clothing on Main Street.


Jonathan and Nathan browzed through the clothes on the racks . . .

"I found some I like, but I need to try them on", said Nathan.


Nathan took the clothes and headed to the changing booth.


When he stepped out of the booth and looked in the mirror, he said "How about these threads?"

"Yeah, they look boss!", said Jonathan.


"I feel like I'm on "cloud 9" right now, but are you sure you got enough bread to pay for all this?", asked Nathan.


"Don't worry, you got a rich keeper", said Jonathan.

(Note: 1950's slang - cloud 9 means really happy, threads means clothes, boss means great, bread means money and keeper means parent)



After Nathan picked out a few more outfits for school, a formal suit for church, some pajamas and underwear, Jonathan paid the cashier.

"Keep the change", he said.

"Thanks Jonathan, you're the best", she said.



Then he called Transpotation to take them to the Pizza Parlor.




Nathan and Jonathan got in the taxicab.


When they arrived at the Pizza Parlor, Nathan asked "How come you're so hip?"



"You mean "someone in the know?", said Jonathan.

"Yeah that", he said.

"I'm a Professional Party Guest. I get paid a lot of money for being "hip", said Jonathan.



"That's a "boss gig" (great job)!", said Nathan.


"Let's go in and get some pizza", said Jonathan.

"OK, I'm starving", said Nathan.



"Do your grandparents still live in Pleasantview?"



"They're dead. It had just been my mom and me for the past few years. Then when she got real sick, she showed me that picture of you and her and said "His name is Jonathan Henry and he lives in Buford Falls. I want you to go to him after I die, he's your dad. So that's what I did."



"Well, I was definitely surprised to find out I had a son. I'm not gonna lye to you, I wasn't too happy when the pastor told me. But now that I've had time to get use to the idea, I'm alright with it."


Across town at Joy's house . . .



Joy answered the telephone and received some bad news.





"Joy, this is Dr. Brian. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but your mother was brought to the emergency room this afternoon. I'm sorry, it wasn't anything I could do to save her. Her heart was just too weak."





"What's wrong sweetheart?", asked Larry.





"That was Dr. Brian who called. My mom died this afternoon", said Joy.





"I'm sorry sweetheart", said Larry.



"Would you call Arlene and tell her? And call Rev. Woods about the funeral service. I don't think I can talk to anyone right now", said Joy.



"Alright, I'll call them", he said.





Larry called Rev. Woods . . .

"Pastor, this is Larry Anderson. Joy's mother Joyce Evans died today. Would you please make the arrangements?"





"Yes, I will. Please give Joy my condolances."





Then he called Arlene . . .

"Arlene I have some bad news. Your grandma died this afternoon."





"Tell Mom I'm so sorry and I'll see her at the funeral. Give her my love."





"Arlene, what's wrong?", Jimmy asked.

"That was my dad on the telephone. My grandma died this afternoon", she said.



"I'm so sorry", he said.

"Life's so short and I don't want to waste another minute of ours. I love you Jimmy", she said.



"I love you, too", he said, then he picked her up in his arms . . .


And carried her into their bedroom.



He sit her on the bed and joined her. He gave her a romantic kiss.



They madeout.



And they did woo hoo!

Afterwards . . .



Jimmy lay in bed and Arlene scooted up close behind him.


Even though Joyce is gone, she was still able, in a way, to help Arlene.



To be continued . . .