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A/N: Happy almost spring! I hope the sun is shining and bringing you cheer wherever you may be.
As everyone knows, I don't own Leave it to Beaver – can you imagine if the Cleavers had Pam Puckett for a mother? Someone should definitely write that.
Oh! The Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss is referenced again in this chapter. (Can you tell it's one of my favorites?)
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Gum snapping, Pam stepped around the couch to hand dinner off to Sam. "Colonel, hmm? Sounds important. You got a first name - besides Dad I mean? Colonel is just so stuffy, especially for family."
Clearing his throat, the Colonel rose politely. "Of course. Steven Shay, pleased to meet you…ma'am."
"No ma'ams here Steve. That's just so –"
"Stuffy. Right. I should have picked up on that," Steven replied wryly.
"Anyway, sorry to have interrupted your very serious-like conversation, but if there's one thing I know, it's men. And men don't like to find out that they've been barking up the wrong tree. Figured I'd save you a headache, point you in the right direction."
Steven stared at her, trying and failing to fit her into a category of known archetypes. "I'm sorry, but…"
"Don't know what was said before I got here, and don't know what's going to be said after I leave, but I think I got the gist of what's going on in this moment. Probably not my business but I'm butting in anyhow – nobody ever accused me of having good manners. My girl's set on Spencer and as it happens, I think she made an uncommonly good choice. I don't know you, but I know him, and what I'm wondering is whether he is who he is because of you, or in spite of you."
Granddad hid a smile behind his hand; Steven was clearly astonished. "I'm really not sure what –"
Without taking her eyes off Steven, Pam waved in Carly's direction. "Don't just sit there girl – go help Sam set the table!" Carly scrambled up as she continued, " Napkin, dinner fork, salad fork, plate, service knife – facing left, mind you, spoon, and watch your spacing!"
"Oh, right! Yes, m – umm…Mrs. …umm…OK?"
"So Steve, I'll let you in on a little secret. I wasn't June Cleaver. Wasn't perfect – never claimed to be. I did the best I could do, on my own with twins. Frankly, my best wasn't all that. It's a freaking miracle that either one of my girls has her head on straight. I worried about them, you know? Their father, well, both of us really – left them with a lot of baggage. Didn't want to admit that but I can say it now because there's a lot of hard work being done on both sides to reduce it to carry on size. Sam says that she owes a lot to Spencer; I think that's a fair statement. I walk in and hear you saying that she can't see the forest for the trees and I think to myself - I know the type. Father knows best. Head of the household – lay down the law. Let me ask you a question. I'm betting you gave this man a job to do. What was it?"
"…Pam, I don't think…you really needn't concern yourself… "
"Don't they speak English in the armed forces Steve? Spit it out! It's an easy question. What job did you give Spencer?"
"You really don't know when to stop do you?" The Colonel's color was rising but Pam just laughed.
"Easy there soldier man. I'm just trying to move things along so you can enjoy your dinner. But if you don't want to play, I guess one of these other folks can give the answer just as well. So Spencer?"
"Sure thing Pam. Dad left me in charge of the household and in charge of my sister. That about sums it up." He smiled, clearly amused by the Colonel's discomfiture.
"The man in charge. Well then, let's see how good a job you actually did. Sam!"
"Yeah Mom?"
"You remember how many detentions you had freshman year?"
"Twenty-seven, give or take."
"And where were you, two months – summer between 9th and 10th?"
"That would be juvenile detention."
"Sophomore year – I asked you what kind of job you thought you wanted after high school. What did you tell me?"
"That I was going to make fries at Mickey D's."
"And you remember how many days of school you ditched last year?"
"Yes – nineteen. Principal Franklin said if I missed any more, I'd fail the year."
"And how many have you missed this year - since you took up with Spencer?"
"Just one. My birthday."
"Detentions?"
"None," Sam answered promptly.
"For the record, are you still planning on babysitting fry baskets?"
Sam smiled. "Only if Stanley needs me to." Turning to the Colonel she added, "I'm going to dental hygienist school."
"That's all well and good," Steven answered stiffly. "I'm…delighted that Spencer had such a positive influence on Sam. However, I didn't leave Spencer in charge of Sam. I left him in charge of Carly."
"Oh that's right. Carly. Carly!"
"Yes?" Carly answered cautiously.
"Dad seems to think maybe Spencer didn't do such a good job around here. I guess I must have missed something, so why don't you give me the run down. You been spending a lot of time in detention lately? Maybe you got a substance abuse problem? How about babies? Any babies around here I don't know about? Maybe you've been skipping out on school – gonna graduate on time? I guess the fries could be calling your name. Any of that sound like you?"
"No!" Carly protested. "I have perfect attendance. My GPA's 4.21 and I'm going to Pomona next year. I got a scholarship. I'm not sure what I want to do yet; I think there's plenty of time to figure that out. People should choose careers that have meaning for them, and I want to choose the right…one…" Her voice trailed off uncertainly at the end. Maybe not the best thing to say under the circumstances… "Umm…I think Spencer wants to choose the right one too," she added hesitantly.
The Colonel's eyed narrowed. "Indeed. I'm all ears. Please, enlighten us Son. What meaningful career do you have in your sights?"
"Well Dad, since you asked, I'm going into social work."
"SOCIAL work?" he asked incredulously.
"I believe I just said that. I'm hoping to work with kids in the foster care system. And I'm specializing in art therapy. I'm going back to school; classes start right after Memorial Day. The Dean's going to give me a break on the tuition if I agree to sit as a visiting artist during the fall term."
A slow smile grew on Sam's face as Granddad reached to pat Spencer on the shoulder. "Good choice Spencer, very good choice," he said quietly. "I'm really proud of what you've done here, and I can't think of anything better than for you to share this gift with other kids who can benefit from it. There is greatness in you. Your mother…would agree."
"Dad," Steven started sharply. "You're not going to-"
"Yes, Steven, I am. I'm satisfied that he has made up his mind. I'm satisfied with the decisions he's made. I'm satisfied that the funds will be used as his mother intended. Spencer – I should have turned these funds over to you several years ago. I didn't because frankly, I wasn't sure that it was in your best interest at the time. It's been held in trust – your share of the proceeds of your mother's life insurance policy. A portion was used to finish your undergraduate degree but a substantial balance remains; I think you'll find it adequate for your current needs."
Spencer closed his eyes for just a moment – thank you Mom…
Sam reached up to whisper, "Does this mean that plan A is done?"
"Mädchen, it does. This makes all the difference. We found the bright place where the Boom Band is playing – the banner's flip flapping and we're riding high; ready for anything under the sky. You're fond of saying that I made you who you are; I didn't. You did that yourself; I just helped you believe. But believing in you meant that I could also believe in myself; I couldn't have done this without you. I love you Sam."
Sam's smile was radiant. "Have I told you how much better I like two than one? We did it together Spence. We're on our way."
"I rest my case," Pam said quietly to Steven. "I'm sorry for you if you can't see what you have. My husband walked away from his children. I spent a lot of time trying to find Mr. Right – the guy who would be a good father for my girls. Encourage them. Be there to listen. Take an interest in their lives. Somebody to balance me out, show the kids what parenting is really supposed to be. I'd been thinking, isn't it funny – well, funny's not the right word. The kids would have a better one, but funny that I didn't find him until my girls don't need him anymore. But lately I've been thinking on that some more, and it could be I was wrong. They can make it on their own, sure – but isn't it so much better when they don't have to?" Turning to Sam she continued, "Hey Kid, c'mere and show me that ring. You didn't get to see mine either – don't wear it while I'm washing dishes. "
With her finger on the call button, Pam prepared to step back into the elevator.
"Would you like to stay Mom?"
"No, no – still gotta work on your sister this afternoon. That one's definitely a work in progress. You enjoy your dinner. For what it's worth, I think you tamed the beast." They glanced Steven's way and found him studying his family as though he was seeing them for the first time. "After all, who wouldn't love you?"
Sam hugged her mother tightly. "Thanks Mom. I love you! "
Just before the elevator door slid shut, Pam called out a parting comment. "Nice to have met you Steve. You know what they say – if you can't beat 'em…."
Steven shook his head. "Never seen the like…" He walked quietly to join his family. "Spencer, I think we should seat the ladies. It looks like dinner's waiting…"