It seemed people were all over the place, chatting, eating and just enjoying what turned out to be an absolutely beautiful California morning. Ian had long gotten tired of opening the front door and finally just left it open. He was just refilling a pan of scrambled eggs and contemplating putting out “lunchier” foods when he heard a familiar happy voice say…
“Knock. Knock.” He turned to see Susan and Jeremy Tyson, two little boys in tow, smiling before him.
Ian immediately hugged them both. “I am so glad that you made it!”
Jeremy got down to his son’s level and said, “And I have some people here that want to meet you. Boys this Ronnie’s Papa, Ian this is Jeremy, Jr…”.
“Please. Mr. Ian, call me J.J.” The little blonde man stuck his hand out and gave Ian a very surprising mature handshake. “I’m five.”
“And this one is Charlie. Charlie say hello to Mr. Ian”
“He’s our shy one…” Susan nodded quietly.
Ian crouched down and rubbed the little boy’s jet black hair. “Hello Charlie it’s so great to meet you…” Ian was stunned at how much he looked like his father right down to the square jaw and the unruly mop of hair.
“You, too.” He mumbled and mushed his face into his father’s shoulder.
“Mr. Ian, can we go play in your back yard?”
“Of course, Ronnie’s out there somewhere.” He pointed toward the kitchen door. “Just go right through there. Be sure and ask Miss Tippy to get you both a donut. I’m sure she has some hidden somewhere.”
Four eyes lit up and they squealed for the door.
“Boys!” Jeremy barked. The boys stopped dead in their tracks. “Turn around and listen to Daddy for a minute.” They did, looking at each other’s feet, Charlie trying to hide a blue blankey behind him. “You don’t get into anything.”
“We won’t Daddy.” J.J. promised, Charlie nodding his head in agreement. They turned to make a made dash for the door.
“Ah ah! One more thing. Look at Daddy and repeat after me…We will have naked time when we go home, not before.”
Both boys sighed and kicked the floor. “Say it with Daddy, we will have…
“…naked time when we go home, not before.” The boys repeated verbatim and then ran out the door.
Susan turned to Jeremy. “That will last twenty minutes.”
Jeremy got up off his knees and grinned sheepishly. “They’re boys, can’t keep ‘em in clothes. Don’t know where that comes from…”
Susan looked at Ian incredulously, “Haven’t a clue. Looks like you’ve got a houseful. I hope the boys—all three of them---won’t be more than you can handle.” Susan apologized.
“Oh no, I can handle it. Tippy Shores is my neighbor.” He saw Jeremy smile. “Just relax and have a great day with the rest of us.
They heard the sliding glass doors open, and Billy strode in carrying an empty pan. “Hey, Ian, here’s another empty. Should I clean it and start filling it with the cold cuts?”
“Probably a good idea. Billy I want you to meet to friends of mine, this is Jeremy Tyson and his wife Susan Andrews. Jeremy, Susan—my best buddy Billy.”
Jeremy shook Billy’s hand and Susan extended hers. Billy kissed it. “It is such a pleasure to meet you. I’ve been a fan of both of you for so long. I couldn’t believe it when Ian told me that he’d actually met you…”
J.J. came buzzing to the door, already down to his Spiderman underpants. “Daddy! Mr. Ian has a big dog. Can we play with him?”
Billy and Ian looked at each other, “Ralphie”.
“Neighbor’s setter, always finding a way to get out of the house.” Ian told them. “He’s harmless.”
“Okay” Jeremy said, “but be careful.” He said and the boy was off like a shot. Jeremy quickly yelled. “And don’t try to ride him!” Susan looked at her husband. “I’d better go out there…” he headed for the door.
“Honey?” Susan called after him. Jeremy stopped and turned to her. “Repeat after me…we will have naked time when we get home and not before….” Jeremy rolled his eyes. “I mean it!” Susan warned and Jeremy scampered out to find his children.
“That’ll last an hour---tops!” Susan sighed.
Ian laughed and then heard another familiar voice. “Sounds as if I’d arrived a few minutes later I’d be over dressed.”
Standing before Ian and his little group was a smiling Pearce Warner, dressed in a white Polo shirt and smart Bermuda shorts. He thrust out his hand and Ian shook it. Ian introduced him to Susan. Pearce smiled broadly introduced himself to Billy.
Just then Ian saw Tippy turn and make an announcement just outside the door, “Alright everybody, if you are under eight nudity in this pool is permitted, otherwise go next door,” she said as Susan looked for a place to hide.
“Is that long or around, Miss Tippy?” Some one asked.
“And that means you, Colton Shores!” She said.
“Gawdang!”
“I’d better get out there.” Susan excused herself as Tippy came in.
“Sweetie, you came!” Tippy kissed Pearce on each cheek.
“Of course, I did. How could anyone in their right minds turn down a Saturday with the Ian Justyn, and you to boot?”
“Flatterer.” Tippy shook Pearce’s hand. “Let me walk you around like my prized pig.”
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