Marty, Sam and I arrived at Paddy's a few minutes before noon. Ozzie came in about ten after, apologizing and explaining he'd had a last minute emergency. But I told him there was no need to explain. We all understood that the life of a doctor is not really his own.

Today was Marty's fiftieth birthday and I'd found the perfect gift for him. Marty was a dedicated pipe smoker. As revenge for his "Star Spangled Banner" musical toilet paper dispenser, I bought him a pipe with a toilet for the bowl. Marty loved it and promised to take it for a "test drive" right after lunch. Ozzie shook his head, laughing while uttering his traditional "tsk, tsk."

We always teased Marty about was his refusal to keep up with modern technology. For example, it was only a couple years ago when Marty finally relinquished his old record player for a cassette tape player. We decided to help him further along and for this birthday we all chipped in and bought him a new state-of-the-art CD player. Since Marty is a big Country and Western fan, we threw in a dozen assorted C&W CDs, too. He was flabbergasted, and we offered to show him how to set up the CD player.

"Tell you what, guys," Marty said, "Gertie and I were thinking of having a cookout at the house this weekend. Why don't y'all come with your families and you can fight over showing me then?" He promised to get back to us with the details.

Paddy again emerged from the kitchen with a huge birthday cake as we were finishing lunch--pretty much a re-run of my birthday bash. When Paddy said "Sing!", Sam saluted, saying, "Yessir, I know I'm Irish and I'll sing!" At that, we broke out in laughter.

The next morning I got an early start editing my manuscript. As I went into the kitchen to get a second cup of coffee, Maggie was sitting at the kitchen table reading a story to Becky. I reminded them about the picnic at Marty's.

"Oh, that's right. What time are we supposed to be there?" Maggie asked.

"Marty said around noon," I answered, and Maggie agreed that was fine with her.

Mom, Maggie and Becky piled into Dad's van. Dad was considering "downsizing" as they didn't need the wheelchair lift any more since Jeanne passed away.

Josh and I went in my van, "just in case" of a squad call, God forbid . . . I'd had my fill of emergencies for the month!

Marty and Gertie really know how to put on a spread. They both love cooking out . . . even more so when there's a crowd.

Sam and his wife Sue were already there with their teenage twin girls when Dad and I pulled our vans up to the curb. A few neighbors had joined the party as well, and Ozzie arrived moments later with his wife, Debbie. Although Ozzie and Debbie were the only childless couple there, all the kids seemed to gravitate to the Martins. It was a shame they never had children of their own, as they would have made wonderful parents.

Marty sported a tall chef's hat and an apron with a large pocket labeled "Tips Welcome." He had two grills going simultaneously, one with steaks sizzling and the other with hot dogs and hamburgers. Gertie had several picnic tables covered with red and white checkered tablecloths nicely laid out with all the fixings. She hadn't missed a thing.

As we were eating, Marty made an announcement to the group about the awesome CD player he'd received from his pals and thought it would be fun to put on some sing-along CDs he'd purchased since. "We can all join in and sing after lunch, maybe even do some dancing," he added, ". . . that is, as soon as one of you show me how to work the thing." He and Gertie loved to entertain, and always went out of the way to make sure their guests had a good time.

As it began to get dark, the crowd started to break up. It was unanimous . . . the cookout had been a spectacular success and a good time was had by all.

When we arrived back home, I immediately went to the den and got engrossed in my editing project again. Maggie came in to kiss me goodnight and I told her I'd come to bed a little later. I was "on a roll" and didn't want to stop yet. Despite all the interruptions with squad call emergencies and outside activities, I still wanted to have the manuscript ready to send to the publisher before the trip.








Continue to Chapter 21


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