Nothing Ventured Nothing Gained Page 9

  Ed laughed. “I’m Ed Eberhardt and this is my wife, uh…Beatrice Lulu.” He knew better than to introduce her as Bea. She’d have a fit. “What else would you like to know?”

  “Why are you letting us stay here? I mean, why didn’t you let that lady take us?”

  “Because no one should stay in juvie detention if they have someone to stay with.” Bea took over. “My mother’s a judge, well she was a judge, she’s retired now, but she hated sending kids to juvie. Granted you broke into our house – actually, you didn’t break in, but you did come in uninvited, and you did steal our food. But it was for survival. You didn’t take anything valuable. You’ve had a rough time of it with your parents and grandmother passing away.”

  “Nothing of value except my peach pie, that is. I’ll never get over that,” Ed chimed in.

  “Oh. that pie was so good. Best thing I took,” Mark said.

  “Rub it in, why don’t you? You have no idea how I was looking forward to that pie.”

  “I’m sorry, Mr. Eberhardt.”

  “Do you have any kids?” Stanley picked up the questions again.

  “No. We married late in life. Too late to have children. We have a big family, though. Or at least Mrs. Eberhardt does.” Ed decided to stick with the Mr. and Mrs. The kids definitely had manners.

  “So, you and Mrs. Eberhardt live here alone?”

  “Yes. My turn now. Tell us about Uncle Otto.”

  “What do you want to know?”

  “Since he has a different last name, I gather he’s your mother’s brother?”

  “Yes, he is, but he’s nothing like she was.” Relief filled Stanley’s voice. Obviously, he wanted to talk, needed to.

  “Why do you think he doesn’t want you to live with him?” Ed wanted to find out as much as possible before the uncle came to pick the boys up tomorrow. He had an idea he wanted to run by Bea. Although he had a feeling she might be thinking the same thing.

  “He told us he didn’t know anything about raising teenagers. He always seemed angry, yelling, and telling us what to do. He had some crazy rules, like how long we could shower. He wasn’t home a lot, and we had to do our own laundry and cooking. We were pretty much on our own. Not that we minded he wasn’t there. At least no one yelled as us.”

  “Was he abusive?”

  “Not physically, but all that yelling bothered me. I think that’s why Mark eats so much.”

  Many kids ate when they’re upset, just like adults. Food offered comfort. Good thing Mark was thin. Otherwise, he’d be obese. “Do you think he yelled to be mean?”

  Stanley thought for a minute. “I don’t think he meant to be mean. He just didn’t know anything about kids. We didn’t see him much growing up. He’s out of town a lot. Plus, he’s a bachelor and we didn’t fit in with his routine. I think we were cramping his style.”

  “Who wants hot chocolate?” Everyone raised their hand, and Bea went off to make it.

  “I’m not sure if you boys go to church or not, but Mrs. Eberhardt and I go every Sunday. Since you’re staying with us tonight, we expect you to go with us in the morning.”

  “We always went when Mom, Dad, and Gram were alive. Uncle Otto doesn’t go. He said he doesn’t need God.”

  Bea came in with the hot chocolate, heard that comment, and raised her eyebrows at Ed. He got her meaning. Loud and clear.

  After the boys were settled in the guest room, Bea got right to her point. “How do you feel about the boys staying with us?”

  “I was thinking the same thing. We’ll run it by the uncle tomorrow. I’d expect him to appoint us as guardians, though. Besides enrolling them in school, we’d have to make other decisions for them.”

  Bea curled up next to him. “My thoughts, exactly.”

  ***

  Mark snuggled under the covers. “Sure does feel good to be in a warm bed, doesn’t it Stanley?”

  “Sure does.”

  “What do you think about Mr. and Mrs. Eberhardt?”

  “They seem pretty nice. I sure was scared when they found us. Figured they’d call the cops. Surprised me that they didn’t.”

  “Mrs. Eberhardt kinda reminds me of Gram.”

  “How so? She sure don’t look like Gram.”

  Mark laughed. “No, she doesn’t. But she goes out of her way, like making dinner, and hot chocolate. Even playing games with us. She’s fun.”

  “Yeah, and she didn’t let us win, either. She sure is competitive, even with Mr. Eberhardt. I really like both of them. Too bad we couldn’t have someone like them as our guardians.”

  Mark snuggled deeper under the covers. “Yeah, too bad. I’m gonna hate going home tomorrow.”

  “Me, too. Night.”

  Chapter 10

  “Morning, honey pot, did you sleep well?”

  “As good as a newborn babe, up every two hours. I almost stayed in bed.”

  Ed kissed her cheek. “A wee bit anxious, are you?”

  “Anxious, a bit excited, and definitely nervous. Are we doing the right thing? We don’t know anything about raising kids, especially teenagers, and boys at that.”

  “Come on, Bea, you’ve been around kids your whole life. You know more about them than their uncle does.”

  “Sure, I’ve been around them, but not every day. I didn’t have to discipline them, and I sure didn’t have to live with them twenty-four hours a day. Our lives are going to change drastically. We won’t be able to just pick up and go whenever we want. We’ll have two more people to think about. No more taking off to the cabin, away from everyone.”

  “What are you saying? That you changed your mind?” Ed sat on the bed and looked at her. She had some valid points. Their lives would change. He’d always wanted kids, loved his nieces and nephews, but it wasn’t the same.

  “Not at all. I just wonder if we’re jumping the gun. Maybe we should try it out for a week or so, make sure we’re the right fit for the boys. Make sure we’re ready for this.”

  As usual, Bea was right. There was just one problem. “Would that be fair to the boys? I mean get their hopes up, possibly change our minds, and let them down? I’m not sure I can do that. I’d rather not bring it up”

  “You’re right. They’ve had enough disappointment and heartbreak. So, what do we do?”

  “That’s your decision. I can’t, and won’t, make it for you.”

  “Let me pray about it. I’ll tell you after church.”

  “Fair enough. Want coffee or tea before we go?”

  Callie called just before they left for church. “Mr. Hagan said he’d be here by noon. I’ll be out to pick up the kids about eleven.”

  “We’re going to church at nine, and Bea wants to take the boys out for breakfast. Can you bring Mr. Hagan here?” If Bea agreed, they needed to talk to him. If not, no harm done.

  “I guess I can do that. What’s Aunt Beatrice Lulu have up her sleeve now?”

  “We’ll talk to you about it later.”

  After church, Bea took his hand. “Let’s do it,” she whispered.

  Ed squeezed her hand. He’d been praying she’d say that. Pastor’s sermon didn’t hurt. All about children and verses from the Bible pertaining to them. It was like he was talking directly to them.

  Ed and Bea agreed not to mention anything to the boys. Although they’d have to agree to the plan also, it was in their uncle’s hands first. Would he agree? From everything the boys said, Ed couldn’t see why not. Other than the fact the uncle didn’t know him and Bea from Adam. Didn’t matter Callie could vouch for them. Ed wasn’t sure he’d agree to such a harebrained scheme either.

  Still it would be best for all involved. He and Bea would have loved to have kids, and the boys seemed content there. Granted it’d only been one day, but he was pretty sure they’d like living with them. And Mr. Hagan could go about his business without having to worry about them.

  After church, they stopped at the Coffee Cup Café for breakfast. Mark shifted from one foot to the other while they
waited for their table. You’d have sworn he’d never ate in a restaurant before.

  “I can really have anything I want?” Mark scanned the menu.

  “Yep, anything you want.” Bea set her menu aside.

  Not that it surprised Ed. Bea always got the same thing, scrambled eggs, hash browns, and rye toast. “So, what looks good to you?”

  “Everything.” Mark laughed.

  “The closest you can come to that is the combination platter, two eggs, two pancakes, two pieces of bacon, two sausages, and two French toast. Think you can eat all that?” Bea opened her napkin and set it on her lap.

  The waitress came over and asked what they wanted to drink. “Coffee for me and Bea, orange juice for the boys.” Her puzzled look copied almost everyone in the restaurant.

  That was another thing about small towns. Most everyone knew everybody’s business, but no one knew who the boys were or where they came from and were probably dying to ask. Ed wondered who would be the first. Probably Doris Wilcox, in which case before they finished breakfast, the whole town would know. Obviously, Callie hadn’t told anyone. Just as Ed suspected, it didn’t take long.

  Doris approached their table. “Ed, Beatrice Lulu, how are you?” Not that she looked at either of them. She openly stared at the boys.

  Stanley lowered his head, but Mark stared right back. By gosh, he liked that boy. Liked his gumption. Neither he nor Bea introduced them. “We’re well, and you?” Ed answered.

  Bea stared. Ed knew exactly what she was thinking. Two can play the same game. Doris and Bea weren’t exactly friends. Pretty much they tolerated each other.

  Doris stood for a minute, obviously waiting either for an introduction or an explanation. When none was forthcoming, she returned to her table. “Well, it was nice seeing you.”

  “You, too.” Ed held back a snicker. He couldn’t help it. Doris was a worse busybody than Bea. At least Bea tried to help people. Doris was just plain nosy and a gossip.

  ***

  Ed tossed his napkin on the table and looked at his watch. “Time to go, boys.”

  The glum looks on the boys’ faces didn’t hide their feelings. Obviously, neither of the boys looked forward to seeing Uncle Otto. No doubt about it, they’d agree to the plan if their uncle did. The thought of having two boys in the house excited Ed. Sure, their lives would change, there might even be sporting events to attend. He’d not thought to ask the boys about their extracurricular activities.

  They’d no more than changed out of their church clothes than Callie arrived, followed by Otto, a short, thin man. Couldn’t have been more than five foot four at the most. Not at all what Ed expected, although what exactly he expected he didn’t know. Maybe someone gruffer, bigger, muscular. How did this little man frighten the boys so badly? Nothing about him looked intimidating. Not even his voice. Soft-spoken, almost hushed. Hard to picture him yelling. Were the boys lying? Or was Otto putting on an act?

  Ed debated whether he should have the conversation in front of the boys. A more awkward meeting, he’d never seen. Mark shuffled his feet, bit his lip and barely whispered hello. Stanley didn’t make eye contact, slumped forward, lowered his head, and didn’t speak at all.

  “I’ve been very worried about you boys.” Otto wrung his hands and looked from one boy to the other.

  “Sorry, sir.” Stanley shifted from one foot to the other.

  “Why did you run away?” Straight and to the point.

  Neither boy offered an explanation.

  Otto looked to Ed. For support? Reassurance? Vindication? Surprisingly, Bea remained quiet. Callie just observed as she was prone to do.

  “Boys, there’s some cookies and milk in the kitchen. Why don’t you go have a snack?” Bea said. “I’ll get us some coffee.”

  She didn’t have to ask the boys twice, they were gone before you could snap your fingers.

  “Mr. Hagan, please, sit down.” Ed gestured toward the dining room table. “Callie, please join us.”

  Once everyone was seated, and Bea returned with coffee, Ed looked at her.

  Bea nodded.

  “Mr. Hagan. I know you don’t know us from Adam, and what I’m about to propose might sound crazy, but Bea and I’ve really taken to the boys. We understand your job often takes you out of town and it’s difficult to care for them. For some reason, they feel unwanted.” Maybe he shouldn’t have said that, but it was true and no point beating around the bush. “We’d like to offer them a home, here with us.”

  Callie gasped. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing? You don’t know anything about these boys.”

  Bea waved a hand to shush Callie. “We’ve given it a lot of thought, talked about it, and prayed about it. We’re sure.”

  “I didn’t realize I was hurting the boys.” Otto rubbed his jaw. “I work long hours. I’ve never been around kids of any age. I didn’t know what to do. Heck, they scare me. I’m afraid to be around them, of doing the wrong thing, saying the wrong thing. I don’t even know how to talk to them. Doesn’t mean I don’t care about them. I don’t even have anyone to ask. None of my friends have kids.” Otto leaned his elbows on the table and rested his head in his hands. “You can’t imagine how much I missed them.”

  “I understand.” Bea reached out and touched his arm. “I’m sure it’s been difficult for you as well as the boys. Unfortunately, children don’t come with instructions, especially older children. I’ve grown quite fond of them in this short time.”

  “I don’t know what to say. How can I give them up? They’re all I have. Yet, I don’t know what to do with them, for them. You’re very kind to offer your home, but like you said. I don’t know you from Adam. How do I know they’d be better off with you?”

  “You’d be free to visit the boys any time you wanted. We certainly don’t mean to cut you out of their life. You might even get to know them better, bond with them. If, later, you want them back, we certainly wouldn’t stop you.” Ed shifted in his chair, glanced at Bea, and winked.

  Bea cringed. The thought of having the boys and then losing them didn’t sit well with her. But Ed was right. They weren’t her children. The most she hoped to get out of this was temporary guardianship.

  Otto sat there, staring, cracking his knuckles. He looked at Callie, who offered no opinion. He sipped his coffee, looked between Ed and Bea. “I need to think about this.”

  “I understand. It’s not an easy decision. We just want what’s best for the boys. Boys that age need constant supervision. We can offer that.”

  “Well…” Otto shook his head. “What do the boys say about this?”

  “We haven’t mentioned it to them. We wanted your approval first.”

  “I see.” Otto clenched his jaw, looked down, and picked at his nails. “I don’t know what to say.”

  Ed felt for the man, he obviously cared more about the boys than anyone realized. He just didn’t know how to show it. Certainly, the boys didn’t feel it. If only there was an easy solution. It about killed Ed to think of the boys going home with Otto, left to their own devices. This time they ran way, what might they do next? They needed supervision, structure, security. Granted there was nothing wrong with boys helping out - even doing their own laundry – not that Bea would allow it, but more importantly they needed security, need to know they were cared for, loved.

  “What’s your schedule like next week?” Bea poured him more coffee.

  “Fairly easy. I’ll be home every day. Why?” Otto sat back, crossed his arms over his chest, and narrowed his eyes.

  “Well, I was thinking, if you’re agreeable, of course, you stay here with the boys for a week. That way everyone gets to know each other, then you can make your decision.”

  “What about school? The boys have already missed a week.” Otto’s voice rose in intensity. He wasn’t exactly yelling, but Ed understood what the boys were talking about.

  “I’d see to it they got to school or you could take them on your way to work. It’s a win-win.”
Ed sat back, satisfied with Bea’s solution.

  “I’m not saying I’m for this whole idea, but if my aunt and uncle are determined to continue this course, and if you’re considering it, Mr. Hagan, this is a simple solution. No need to make a decision now.” Callie stood. “I have to leave. William and I have plans this afternoon. I’ve done all I can here. Good luck to all of you.”

  ***

  “What are they talking about?” Mark stood next to Stanley, trying to make out the conversation in the dining room. “I hear their voices, but I can’t make out what they’re saying.”

  “Shh, I can’t hear them with you babbling.”

  “What do you think is taking so long? I thought we’d be home by now.”

  “Quiet!” Stanley leaned forward. If he heard correctly Mr. and Mrs. Eberhardt wanted them to live here. It was hard to hear what Uncle Otto said, but he had a feeling he didn’t like the idea. That was the perfect solution, why wouldn’t Uncle Otto go along with it? He didn’t want them. Why did he say he missed them? Why was he lying?

  Mark pulled on Stanley’s arm. “What are they saying?”

  “Mr. and Mrs. Eberhardt want us to live with them.”

  “Really?” Mark grinned and hit Stanley’s arm. “That would be so cool. What did Uncle Otto say?”

  “I don’t think he likes the idea.” Stanley went back to the table and sat down.

  “Why not? He doesn’t want us.” Mark grabbed a cookie and shoved the whole thing in his mouth.

  “I don’t know. It was hard to hear him.”

  “I hope he says okay. Just think, we’d have a real family again.” Mark giggled. “What would we call them do you think? Mr. Ed and Ms Beatrice Lulu or do you think we could call her Ms Bea?”

  Stanley laughed. “You’re putting the cart before the horse. Uncle Otto hasn’t agreed yet. Maybe we could call them Uncle Ed and Aunt Beatrice Lulu. That’s what that lady police chief calls them.”

  “Yeah, that would be good. I sure hope Uncle Otto says okay. What do you think is taking so long?” Champ got up, walked over to Mark, and put his head in his lap. “You’d like it here, too, wouldn’t you boy?”