June cooking in the kitchen.

"What's in the paper, Ward?"

Ward said, "Well, you have to read it before you know there's nothing in it."

June said, "Oh. Good morning, Wally."

Wally said, "Good morning Mom. Hi, Dad. Hey, could I see the paper, Dad?"

Ward said, "There's nothing in it."

June said, "Do you want one egg or two, Wally?"

Wally said, "Two, and a couple hunks of bacon, please. Hey, Dad, look. There's a picture of the mayor standing with a girl in a bathing suit."

Ward said, "I guess that's one of the hazards of political life, Wally."

June said, "Here you go, Wally. Two eggs and couple hunks of bacon. You want milk?"

Wally said, "Yeah, okay."

June said, "All right."

Wally said, "Oh, uh, by the way, Beaver's sick."

June said, "He's sick?"

Wally said, "Yeah. I don't think he's faking it or anything because he's got all of his homework done."

That's when June decided to check on Beaver since Wally said something. Ward offered to drive Wally off at school, which he accepted.

"You run off to school now, Wally," she said.

"All right, Mom. See you later. Dad's driving me today."

"Have a nice day, Wally."

"I will, Mom. Tell Beaver to get better soon."

"I'll pass it to him," June said as she headed up to the bedroom.

June saw the door was open before checking in to see if Beaver was awake or not.

"How are you feeling, Beaver?" June asked.

"I don't feel good, Mom."

"What's wrong?" June asked.

June saw Wally was right about Beaver not faking to be sick.

"Let me take your temperature. Then I will call the principal."

"Okay, Mom."

She found the thermometer. That's when she heard Ward's car drive away. Before June returned with the thermometer, Beaver did sound sick. He was happy to stay home from school today. Then June walked in.

"Put this under your tongue while I call the principal."

"All right, Mom. Are you going to call the doctor too?"

Beaver felt his throat was hurting when he said that.

"We will."

Beaver was like a lot of kids - isn't a fan of seeing the doctor. Beaver didn't feel like getting out of bed anyway. He'll have to do what she tells him.

Ward said, "How's it going, Beaver?"

Beaver said, "Not so good, Dad. I really feel rotten."

June said, "He seems to have a fever, and his throat hurts."

Ward said, "Well, you better call Dr. Kirby."

Beaver said, "Would he stick that gagger down my throat?"

Ward said, "Beaver, all you have to do is open your mouth wide and you won't even notice it."

Beaver said, "Well, last time I opened real wide, and he tricked me and pushed it down further."

Ward said, "Now look Beaver, when Dr. Kirby gets here, I want you to behave yourself."

Beaver said, "Yes, sir."

Ward said, "I'll see you tonight."

June said, "Bye, dear."

Ward said, "Bye, honey."

Beaver said, "Good - bye, Dad. Hey, Mom? When Dr. Kirby gets here, I hope he doesn't tell me to be a little solider."

June said, "Why not, Beaver?"

Beaver said, "Because when he tells you that, it always means you're gonna get a shot."

Ward said, "There you are."

Wally said, "Hi, Dad, how's the Beaver?"

Ward said, "Well, he seems to have a sore throat and a temperature."

Wally said, "Hey, that's pretty good."

Ward said, "Good?"

Wally said, "Yeah, he might have to miss a whole week of school."


That Morning around 10 AM

June said Beaver, "Dr. Kirby's here. Look who's here, Beaver."

Dr. Kirby said, "Hello there, young fella. I hear you're a little under the weather."

Beaver said, "No, sir. I just don't feel good."

Dr. Kirby said, "Well, we'll have a look at that."

Beaver said, "Well, you're not going to stick that gagger down my throat, are you?"

June said, "I took his temperature about an hour ago. It was 101."

Beaver said, "You're not gonna jam that down my throat, are you?"

Dr. Kirby said, "No, I'm just going to listen to your heart. This won't hurt you."

Beaver said, "What's that matter? Can't you find it?"

Dr. Kirby said, "Oh, it's there, all right. Here, you listen. How's that?"

Beaver said, "Boy, am I really doing all that?"

Dr. Kirby said, "Sure. That's your heartbeat."

Beaver said, "Gee, it sounds like an Indian war dance just before they scalp everybody."

June said, "His throat was quite red this morning.

Dr. Kirby said, "Well, let's have a look."

Beaver said, "I knew you were gonna do this."

Dr. Kirby said, "Come on, come on, Beaver, open your mouth wide. This won't bother you."

Beaver said, "Is that a new one, or did you use that on some other kid before me?"

Dr. Kirby said, "Now this is a brand - new one. Now, come on, be a good fella. Wide. Atta boy. Now give me a big ahh."

Beaver said, "Ahh."

Dr. Kirby said, "Atta boy. Well, his tonsils do seem to be a little inflamed."

June said, "Oh? He's had a lot of colds lately."

Dr. Kirby said, "Maybe he's better off without them."

June said, "Colds?"

Dr. Kirby said, "No, the tonsils. Now this isn't gonna be bother you at all. Now just turn your head. That's a boy. See, that doesn't hurt. How's that? That's fine. Now the other side."

June said, "Doctor? Um, when would they have to come out right away?"

Dr. Kirby said, "No. I think we should watch them for a while and wait until this infection clears up. Then we can decide."

Beaver said, "Well, maybe you could just wait until they rotted out by themselves."

Dr. Kirby said, "I don't think we'll wait that long, Beaver. I'll call the drug store and order a prescription. In the meantime, young fella, you take it easy and keep warm."

Beaver said, "Yes, sir."

June said, "Well, Beaver, I'll come back up in a little while and I'll bring you some lunch, all right?"

Beaver said, "Okay, Mom. Good - bye, Dr. Kirby."

Dr. Kirby said, "Good - bye, Beaver."

Beaver said, "Thank you for not calling me little solider."


That same evening, Wally and Ward were both asking June how it went with Dr. Kirby.

"How did the visit with Dr. Kirby turn out?" Ward asked.

"Beaver was pretty chatty the entire time the doctor was over. He even found something," June told him, and then added, "Beaver has tonsils."

"The tonsils, huh? I had the same problem when I found out about it."

"Can you share the story, Dad?"

Of course both June and Ward were born in a different time.

"You can hear about it when I see your brother."

"All right, Dad. Times have changed since."

Both June and Ward agreed.

"How was school, Wally?" she asked.

"Fine. Nothing new with Eddie and Lumpy, and they don't have to hear about the latest with the Beaver."

"You're exactly right, Wally. You know how they are. They think they need to hear everything that goes on with us," Ward agreed.

"Hey, Mom, did the doctor say what happens next?"

"I'm glad you asked about your brother, Wally. Beaver has to be out of school for a week."

"I told you so."

Neither June or Ward said a thing. After they finished eating dinner, it was Wally's turn to wash the dishes. Then he will go upstairs and work on homework. Beaver would be happy to have company.

"I'm going to check on your brother, Wally."

"Okay, Dad. Tell him I'll be on my way."

"I will."

June turned on the television and wanted to see what was on. There was nothing, so no reason to keep the television on. Ward made it to the bedroom.

"How are you feeling, Beaver?"

Good thing the door was open.

"The same, Dad. I was this to be over with."

"I understand, Beaver. Would you like me to bring you something to eat or drink?"

"Yes, please."

"I'll go see what we have left over."

Beaver sneezed.

"Bless you."

"Thanks, Dad."

"I will be back shortly."

Ward walked into the living room where June was sitting on the couch.

"How is he, Ward?"

"You are right, June. He doesn't look very good," Ward said, and then added, "he's hungry now."

"I made some orange Jello to make him feel better. You can give some to him."

"Thanks, June. Glad the door was open."

Wally was just walking into their bedroom when Ward was in the kitchen.

"How are you, Beaver?" Wally asked.

"The same. I get to stay home for a whole week."

"I figured that out this morning, Beaver. Dad has a story to share with us."

"What kind of story?"

Beaver got interested in the story.

"Let him tell, Beaver. I never heard it either," Wally said.

"I wonder what kind of story it is."

Wally shrugged his shoulders.

"No clue. I'm hanging around for that story too."

Ward finally showed up with a tray for Beaver.

"Here you go, Beaver," he said.

"Thanks, Dad. Wally was just telling me you have a story to share with us," Beaver told Ward.

"Of course I have one," he replied.

"I told you that I was going to hang out for the story, Beaver. Why would I want to miss out?" Wally asked him.

"I don't know, Wally. Tell us the story, Dad," Beaver begged.

"Here we go, boys. I won't share the entire story. I will just share with what I do remember," Ward said.

"I was telling your brother that I was just his age when I had the tonsils," Ward said.

"What happened, Dad?" Wally asked.

Flashback:

"It was a good thing there wasn't a school day. I was an average student. I woke up on Saturday morning, feeling horrible. I was just fine the night before. Sometimes things happen when we don't expect them. My father came in and asked me why I wasn't out of bed immediately as I usually was. He figured I wasn't feeling so hot.

"Ward, are you coming down for breakfast? Your mother is making waffles," Dad said.

I had always loved waffles.

"I don't feel so good, Dad," I told him.

"What's wrong, Ward? You look sick to me. I'll have your mother come up to check you out."

"Thanks, Dad," I replied.

"You're welcome, Ward," he said.

Dad walked into the kitchen where Mom was at the stove.

"Kathy, would you mind coming upstairs for a bit?" he asked.

"Ward doesn't look so good," he told her.

"He can't be sick on a weekend, Ernie. What's wrong?" Mom asked once she finished the batch of waffles.

"I don't know, Kathy. Just follow me," he said.

She followed him upstairs. Good thing the oven was off. She was thankful for that and have the waffles get burned.

"Ward, what's wrong?" Mom asked me.

"I don't know, Mom. I just feel lousy," I answered.

"Let me look at you," Mom said as she felt my forehead.

"Looks like you have a fever, Ward. I'll go take your temperature," she said as she left my bedroom.

Before leaving, Dad asked her about the waffles.

"Kathy, did you turn off the stove?" Dad asked.

"Yes, Ernie. I don't want the waffles to get burned," she told him.

I could smell the waffles from my bed.

"I want one," I said.

"We'll check you out first, Ward. Then we can have those waffles," he replied.

"Okay, Dad. If you say so," I told him.

Dad didn't bother to say anything after that. Mom arrived shortly.

"Open your mouth, Ward," she told me.

I did it without complaining. My throat hurt too much for that, and I wasn't going to waste time complaining to her.

"Ward wants waffles, Kathy. Do you want me to bring up a tray?" he asked.

"I don't want them to get cold, Ernie. Just give Ward the small ones," she said.

"Thanks, Kathy," he said as he left my room.

Mom took out the stick from my mouth. She read the number that popped up.

"It's a fever, all right. Since you don't have school, Ward, I'll call in on Monday," Mom replied.

"Okay," I said as my throat was still hurting.

Dad returned with a tray of two waffles and water.

"Ernie, this thing says 102. We should have the doctor to come over and check out Ward for himself," she said.

"Isn't Dr. Mason off for the weekend?" he asked.

"I forgot about that. Thanks for the reminder, Ernie," she replied.

"We can contact the doctor who works on weekends," he suggested.

"Why didn't I think of that? You're so smart, Ernie," Mom said.

"You're the smart one, Kathy," he told her.

No complaint there. No need for one. She was more worried about me.

End Flashback

Beaver said, "Is there more to the story?"

Ward said, "I think my sister Pearl remembers what happened in between the days that lead up to the hospital."

Wally said, "You mean Aunt Pearl the one who liked to play with boys' stuff playing baseball and junk like that?"

Ward said, "Yes, Wally. I will see if she can stop by tomorrow night to finish the rest of the story."

Beaver said, "I never met Pearl."

Ward said, "You will like her, Beaver. I see you had finished your Jello all right."

Beaver said, "Yes, during the story."

Ward said, I'll go give Pearl a call tomorrow morning and see if she could take over from the story. I'm sure she might remember some more of it."

Wally said, "That should be fun seeing her again after for so long."

Ward said, "Yes, Wally. It would. Let's go. We'll check on you later, Beaver."

Beaver said, "Okay, Dad."

Since there wasn't anymore hearing more about the story, Beaver decided to try going to sleep and see what happens later.