They went on like that for some time, until Vern interrupted saying, "You guys are getting a little heavy in there. Come on and eat, the food is ready. Taylor , Lil' Monty! Come and eat your dinner."
When Taylor and Lil' Monty got to the table, Gerry said, "man, these don't look like the two babies that I remember. And why are you calling this man Lil' Monty? He's as tall as his father."
Taylor said, "Taller. He's an inch taller than my father, and he's only 14 years old."
"I see you're still proud of your little brother. I remember when you two were about two feet tall--well, he wasn't but about a foot and a half. Even then, you used to say, "My little brother can count to ten. My little brother can say his ABC's."
Taylor began to blush.
"Don't be ashamed. There's nothing wrong with loving your brother. That's one of the things that sets this family apart, makes it special--you’re full of love. Most of the world is full of something else, but we won't get into that."
After dinner, and after Gerry finished raving over Vern's enchiladas they went back into the living room to have a few beers, laugh, and talk the night away. Monty had persuaded Gerry to stay over, promising to take him back to L.A. on the way to the airport.
Monty said, "I see you're still smoking those old nasty Pall Mall Reds."
"If I remember correctly", said Gerry, "they didn't use to bother you that much when you were bumming ‘em off me at United. I had to bring an extra pack every morning just for you. I bet you owe me 32 thousand dollars, just in cigarettes."
They all started laughing, then Monty said, " Aw man, you're making me sound like a bum. The only reason that I use to ask you for cigarettes is because I was trying to quit smoking."
"Yeah", said Gerry, "and from the cigarette in your hand, I see you're still trying." He look up toward the ceiling and said, " ten years later, Lord, and he's still trying to quit--but, at least he has his own cigarettes."
That's when Vern chimmed in, "uh uh Lord, 'dem my cigarettes."
"Take it from an old red-neck", said Gerry, "he'll never change, Lord." Then they all fell out laughing.
They stayed up laughing and partying until the wee hours of the morning. It had been years since Monty and Vern had enjoyed anyone so much.
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The next morning Vern got up early. She thought it might be nice if they all got up to an early breakfast and maybe take Gerry on a little outting. Maybe they could go to Puttingstone Reservoir, he'd probably like that. They might even be able to persuade him to stay another day. She'd like that. She couldn't remember when she had enjoyed a house guest so much.
When she got up and went into the kitchen she was suprised to find that the kitchen was spotless. When she went to bed it was a mess. She was enjoying Gerry so much that she hadn't found time to get to it. She knew the kids hadn't done it because they were already asleep and it was after 3 in the morning when Gerry, Monty, and herself had turned in. Maybe one of the darlings had gotten up early to do it, knowing she had stayed up late and might be too tired to face it this morning. She loved those kids, they were so thoughtful.
She went to Lil' Monty's room to check on them. Lil' Monty had bunkbeds, so whenever a guest stayed over the guest used Taylor's room. Taylor would take one of the bunks in her brother's room.
"Monty, Monty!"
LiL' Monty looked up sleepily from his bed.
"Where's your sister, Monty?"
"She's in her room."
"She can't be in there, Gerry's in her room."
"Who's Gerry, moma?"
"You know, your daddy's friend--the one who stayed over last night."
Lil' Monty was becoming wider awake, now. "Moma, there wasn't anyone over here last night."
"Monty! the man who had dinner with us last night!" Vern was becoming irritated, now. The boy must still be asleep.
Lil' Monty was wide awake in earnest, now. He looked concerned. "Moma, nobody had dinner with us last night. You and daddy were supposed to be going to the airport, but when daddy got out of the shower you guys went in the room, layed down, and went right off to sleep. We tried to wake you, but we couldn't, so we just let you sleep. We put a pizza in the oven, watched T.V. for a while, and then went to bed."