Let Me Call You Sweetheart Chapter 4, Page 29
Rosemary and Lee dropped off Dee at Faith's home and proceeded on to their home with Paul. When they got there Paul was wide-eyed surveying the row houses and looking at all the people walking around. "Paul, let's get you inside and show you around." Lee told him with a hand to help him out.
As Rosemary stood up to get out of the back seat, Paul imitated Lee and reached up too with his extended hand to help her out. "My Paul, you are quite the little gentleman!"
The three of them walked inside the house. Paul was so excited to look around. "Is this your own home?" he asked.
Rosemary laughed, "Yes it is, Paul, we want you to feel at home here, so please just ask us about anything."
Paul did just that. He went through the kitchen area and told Rosemary and Lee that it wasn't as big as the orphanage but bigger than his other home. "I didn't go in the kitchen too much because there wasn't much there. Dad and my brother were usually eating before I was called for dinner. I just had the leftovers."
"I bet your hungry!" Rosemary guessed. Paul nodded yes.
"Lee, why don't we take him to Billees and get some dinner. We can introduce him to Sam and whoever is there." Rosemary suggested. "Otherwise, it'll be awhile before I'd have a hot dinner."
"Okay with me," Lee agreed. "Paul, before we go, let's take a quick trip upstairs and show you your bedroom and put your clothes in your dresser."
Lee grabbed Paul's hand and they laughed as they ran up the stairs together. "Wow, there's a desk for me too?" Paul asked.
"Every boy needs a desk, right?" Lee answered. "You've got your own dresser, so let's put your clothes away. I hope you like the bed."
Paul was sitting on the bed and then fell back on the pillow. "It's so comfy!" He was grinning from ear to ear. Then he jumped up and straightened out the bedspread. "Sorry!" he murmured and looked away.
"It's okay Paul." Lee looked puzzled. "What happened?"
"I don't want to get in trouble, that's all." Paul answered quietly.
"You are NOT in trouble Paul." Lee reached over and gave Paul a hug. "Hey, I like to fall on my bed, especially after a long day at work. So, no problem okay?"
The three of them walked to Billees. When they walked in Sam greeted them and was introduced to Paul. "Hey great to meet you Paul. Do you like Chicken noodle soup?"
"Yes." Paul said as he followed Sam along with Lee and Rosemary to a table.
"Have a seat young man. We not only have homemade chicken soup, but we also have biscuits with honey and if you still have room in that tummy of yours, for dessert, we have ice cream." Sam grinned.
"Sounds great!" Lee said. We'll all have that.
"Hey, who's this young lad?" Bill asked as he walked over.
"This is Paul," Rosemary smiled. "Paul, this is the other half of Billees, Judge Bill Avery. See, Judge Bill and Mr. Lee own this place and named it as a combination of both their names coming up with Billees."
"This is going to be a busy place tomorrow!" Bill announced. "We will have the town Christmas tree put up outside in the center of town with caroling, so I expect more customers than usual."
"That sounds like fun, doesn't it Paul?" Lee asked. Paul nodded yes. "Of course, we'll be here!"
"Lee, just so you know, I told Nathan today that he should send Rick O'Neil over here because I know Sam can use the help. Nathan told Joseph and Matthew when he we rode out there where they were cutting down the tree. Matthew knows Rick and said he'd let him know to come over. I'm expecting him anytime now." Bill informed him.
Just then Sam walked up with the hot soup and biscuits.
"Yum!" Paul was happy!
Sure enough, just as Bill just told them, in walked Rick. Bill talked to him for a little while, then took him over to meet Sam. They all shook hands and Rick was smiling as he walked out the door while saying, "See you tomorrow."
After they finished, they walked back home. "So, Paul," Rosemary began, "tonight you can stay up a little longer than usual if you'd like me to tell you a story before bed. Let's get your pajamas on."
The two of them went upstairs and after Paul snuggled up in his comfy bed, Rosemary told him a very dramatic and lively story that had Paul giggling. Lee came in the bedroom and reminded them it was getting late. Rosemary and Lee taught Paul their goodnight prayer, "Now, I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep, keep me safe in the night, and wake me in the morning bright. Amen."
Paul reached up and gave them both a hug. "Goodnight." Paul smiled.
Rosemary and Lee said Goodnight and walked out. "I'm so happy Lee," Rosemary said teary-eyed.
"Me too, honey, me too." Lee gave Rosemary a hug as they walked to their room.
