Ask Me

Ask Me Chapter 95

Maxieplus

When we got settled at nan's, Jack's legs were banging against the high chair rails and his mouth was dribbling. I got some cake and he got a big spoon. Curtis smiled at me and I received a text from Con `where are you?"

I replied and told him I was at Nan's, it was busy so he should wear his disguise.

Jack destroyed his froth and was starting on Curtis's treat, he watched on

with pride. He doesn't mind if his brother steals things from him, and he watches because he thinks it's funny, so I cut a piece of cake and handed it to him to chew on, he likes that better.

Two guys came up to the table and pulled chairs out, one started playing with babies the other kissed me, then also played with his sons. Geoff talked to him for a few minutes when he went to order some more cake. I waved to Gina, Geoff's sister, Brae's mum, then she was in on the small meeting with Con.

He came back with paperwork in his hands and put it into his backpack.

"Paperwork for Ray baby, Ted's statements." As I said before Teddy owns the buildings, Geoff and Gina are now business partners and between both of them, they also run the restaurant, and bars. The showroom upstairs is Conners, Geoff and Gina sublease it from him and he pays rent to his son Teddy. It's pretty involved but works, so every month Geoff gives Ray paperwork for Conners and Ted's investments.

So Ted gets a big slice of this business which is busier than ever. The one thing that remains of the old cafe is the small flat out the back, just three rooms, although it's been renovated it hasn't lost its charm, we are leaving that for Teddy to decide what to do with when he gets older. He lived there with his nan for some time, and he used to go out the back to remember his good times, but he doesn't do that now. The major change is the two shops being made into one big restaurant and bar downstairs. The enormous showroom across the top of the three buildings extends over Di's shop also which Ted also owns. When Conner performs he does get paid, and of course his manager Marty, he leaves the other performance nights to Gina to organize, he's very generous to his friends. If I was to go one further Conner pushes the money side of it, all aside, he doesn't want to handle it, and that's where Ray comes into play. Con just wants to perform and write good music.

"Now that's all done, what did you do today?"

"I looked at some mail, played scrabble, toured John and Ray's museum, and called into Di's for a while. I ended up here because you know who wanted, you know what." I laughed.

"Did you win?"

"Win what Conner?"

"At scrabble."

"No." I blushed, I hardly ever win, Johns is so much more educated than me.

He told me about his interviews and he has some more tomorrow, He had a few phone calls from overseas, but put them through to Marty. Las Vegas is after him again for six months, a couple of million or more a show, I doubt his voice will recover from that. He ate his cake feeding his boys in the process, he can't resist their pleas for more. No bill today and we started clearing the table, sometimes we like to help the staff.

"We had better go Conner school will be out in a half-hour."

"Okay, Brent did you bring the car?"

"No." I never bring the car there's nowhere to park it. He got on the phone.

"John, how far away from nan's are you?"

"Okay slip by the cafe and pick us up will you?"

"See you soon." He gets things done, so I went about folding the stroller up to make it a little easier.

"We can stand across the road baby, that way they don't have to turn around." He got up and signed the bill then Grant escorted us across to a spare five-minute parking spot. John and Ray were only minutes away and it was a mad rush to get everyone in and belted up.

The babies chatted away, the dvd was playing for them so that occupied their time. At the park we set up, we had Fran but no Andy.

"Sam had the day off Brent." Fran grinned.

"Well I hope Andy had a good time, I can't remember the last one I had." Conner looked at me and laughed.

"You wear me out."

"Do I?"

"Yes."

"Well, I'll stop it then."

He laughed again and pulled me up, I think we are going for a run. The training started and Ted and his boys were hard at it, Con and I were also hard at it, in the bushes.

Back at home I sat at my desk for an hour while Conner played with the little ones, he had them in his music room and was taking requests, but mainly they were trying to show him how to play the piano. I could hear their giggles along with Cons as I started reading the more difficult notes. Some I put aside and some were downright filthy. I placed them in a separate stack and will destroy them with Ray's shredder, maybe tomorrow. The begging letters were the most difficult to read, you can imagine how desperate some people get tothe point that they have to write to perfect strangers for help, or they try to scam celebs all the time.

Some I could see straight through their words, and some others confused me because they were almost identical to at least another ten requests, I deemed them false flags so moved them over to my destroy pile.

There were some from teenagers and kids, I knew these were real because of the writing and spelling, so I made a separate stack. The rest were requests for personal appearances and some even had songs attached to them. I had five songs, so I took them into Conner's room and asked him if they were any good. He looked at the sheets and hummed the notes then played them, I couldn't even find a melody in the first two. He made a stack, and I went back to my reading.

I had put aside ten letters I deemed genuine, mainly money was requested so they could buy cd's or skateboards, things kids would request. I then rang Adam.

"Adam what do you do with genuine requests, like does Con send these kids stuff."

"You can't help everyone Brent we usually just send them a signed photo or a cd depending on how their letters are formed. If you deem them genuine, send a voucher for K-mart they should be in the box with the photos."

"Okay, then I needn't worry about the five requests I have for food, I'm only asking because it seems an odd request for kids to ask."

"It's difficult Brent, I usually place them on Conner's desk at Marty's and he deals with them."

"Right, so he doesn't ignore these kids?"

"No, he deals with it, you need to talk to him."

We hung up after a few minutes and I took the letters into Conner. He was still tinkering with the music sheets.

"Anything outstanding?"

"No Brent, I have made some notes and suggestions, could you send them back to the owners?"

"Yes, I can put them in my outbox."

"What are those?"

"Food Con, these are requests for food, one only wants bread and jam another wants a supermarket voucher so she can feed her brothers and sisters. I rang Adam he said you usually deal with them."

"That's right baby, just leave them here, I will get Grant onto them."

"Grant?" He looked up at me and said.

"Brent, I have to believe these letters are genuine. I give these to Grant and where possible he gets his team to investigate them. If any of the kids are being abused or are starving we try to fix it."

"Fix it?"

He took a deep breath and continued, he knows I won't let this go.

"We try and find out if they need more than food, if they need school fees paid for, or their parents need work, or if they have parents at all. When a kid writes to his idol for food, something is very wrong."

"So Mark who lives in Brisbane is looked after?"

"I send it on to Cody Mitchells foundation and they investigate, discreetly. children's services are not involved at first for obvious reasons. If the request is genuine we fix it. Money, food deliveries weekly, or God forbid emergency accommodation." He shuffled through the letters and read Mark's.

"This one is urgent I will get Grant on to it now, this boy is desperate he not only wants food he wants a warm bed." He pulled his phone out and talked to Grant.

My stomach dropped because I had been putting off reading these, god only knows what's happening to the little fella by now.

"He will get onto it now, the address is a caravan park maybe he's got a mate that lets him stay, we don't know until we get there."

"I feel awful now I should have answered this days ago."

"It's not that old Brent, by the time you answer, it will take another two days to get to him, this way is quicker."

"Brent there are very few letters like this so don't go all bat shit crazy until we get the full story, leave these with me. I will get them all investigated but mostly we send gift certificates out so they can buy food. Adam and Jill leave these on my desk at Marty's, it's the first thing I pick up when I go in. The overseas ones we can't do much about but we try hard to get in contact with the kids there."

I kissed this wonderful man with so many hidden secrets, he has never forgotten his boys at the church and still occasionally goes there to give music lessons, but this is a whole new ball game I didn't know about. I had a restless night and woke up several times. I had worked myself into a panic and had to calm down because there was nothing I could do, I had to leave it to the experts. At one stage in my dreams, I heard a baby crying I need to be with him. I lay in the quiet and listened, my babies were all sound asleep so I deemed the nightmare just that, a nightmare. There was one thing I had decided, I would sort the mail as soon as I get it, I can't have kids out there in need.

He received a phone call early the next day it was Cody, he told Con that initial contact has been made and the boy is being moved from a very drunk uncle to his halfway house outside of Brisbane. He will get children's services involved only as a last resort. They talked for a few minutes then the phone was passed to Teddy, he nearly pissed himself on the spot his hero Daniel Lawrence was on the other end. Conner grabbed coffee and sat with me while our son raved on about his football, I think the babies wanted a word they were trying to grab the phone off him.

"That was quick?"

"Kids Brent, he's thirteen he's a kid in distress, Cody's men move fast. Sometimes it's a false alarm but sometimes it's urgent, thank you for picking it up so quickly." He kissed me.

I resolved never to dismiss any letter he gets from fans no matter how small the requests are. I was dead on my feet by the time Ted was taken to school I needed to sleep some more, and I heard John whispering to Conner who was playing with the babies, he got off the floor and pulled me up off the chair and said.

"Let's go."

"Where? I wanted to have a nap."

"That's where we are going." He hauled me up the stairs and got me into bed, He was holding me close, his comforting arms sent me off to the land of nod immediately.

It was nearly noon by the time I woke again and Conner wasn't in bed with me, I could hear his laughter coming from downstairs so I showered and dressed and was feeling so much better, then I went to find my family. After many welcomed kisses, I thanked John then sat at my desk to finish the mail. One hour and I had a stack of letters to post so I asked Con if he wanted to take a walk to the post box. He told me to give them to Grants men they will do it, I told him I wanted to go for a walk. He didn't argue and even held the door for me, we walked up towards Mary's drop-in center where there is a mailbox out the front. Con helped me to post the letters and then we walked back home arm in arm. I like walking with my husband in the open, especially in our street there's never anyone around so we can be us.

"Can you bring home another bag Con?"

"What, I thought you stored that behind the couch."

"Yes, but it's all done I need another bag." He stood at our front gate and stared at me.

"It's impossible to go through that mail in a few days Brent, what have you done?"

"It's called work Con, you should try it sometime."

I left him standing there on his own then turned and beckoned him inside.

"Follow me." I walked upstairs.

"Brent, what are you up to?"

"Drop 'em." I dropped to the carpet and he gladly dropped his shorts.

John and Conner were talking when I finished cleaning up the kids and our bedrooms so I grabbed coffee and looked at my now empty desk, my babies were happily playing.

"So what's the news, has anything happened today?" I looked at John.

"No news Brent, I was just telling Conner how brilliant you are."

"Thank you John."

"Brent, you didn't throw them in the bin did you?" Con was still confused.

"No, of course not."

"Then how?" I will tell him it's not all that much of a secret.

"I delegated Conner, I have a team who are doing the bulk of it they should be finished by tomorrow, when is payday again?"

"So you didn't do them all?"

"You didn't expect me to Con, did you?"

He blushed and John laughed as he grabbed the picnic basket and rummaged around in the fridge."

"Who did you hire?"

"The kids that do the Iris Wilson shows mail, they were more than happy to earn two-fifty a letter."

"But you get five."

"That's business Conner, and I believe I got a very fancy signing bonus also." I grinned at him. He walked off and last I saw him he was on his phone with someone in the music room. Probably Marty to find out if there's any more mail.

It will get less and less as I catch up with it not bags and bags and he's only getting them because of his new album, but mostly it's emails.

Life goes on and when Conner is back to his old self the swagger nearly disappears, unless he is trying to impress someone that is. On one such occasion, he swaggered up the hallway with a big bunch of beautiful flowers and a smile to die for.

"These are for you, from Cody."

"For me, they are gorgeous Con."

"He said Mark is now in a better place, he has had his uncle charged with neglect, and children's services placed him with a very trustworthy local family. By all accounts, he's doing very well at school and he's going to write to you and me to say thank you."

I opened the small card and it said.

"Well done." With a small gold heart stamp with Never Give Up written on it.

I know the story behind that heart, and Cody has done very well to pull himself out of that horrible experience he had before Dan got involved. He and my life were so similar in ways I can't describe here because it's in the past. I get along with him because we have much the same nervous sense of humor, and we have so much fun when we meet, much to Con and Dan's amusement.

I pulled out a big vase and filled it with water, Con's arms were around my waist and he was trying to nibble on my ear. After arranging them I placed them on the kitchen bench. I cant put them on the coffee table they will inhibit Ted's line of sight to his tv shows, and the babies will somehow find a way to knock them over. The safest place is on the kitchen island.

"Do you want mine now?"

I shuddered because his hands were now playing in my shorts.

"Yes please." If John only knew how we used his bench sometimes he would go into shock, but I did bend over it today, it was my turn.

When they came back from Go ship they sat at the table with us, the babies were napping they have had a very busy day. Ray said the airline has been scrapped permanently and they will keep the company as it is.

"The new ship will be arriving next week so we can take the kids to watch it dock."

"They will love that we might tag along also, I need to see how Jenny is going."

"She is doing fine Brent, they are almost at the stage of buying that house and building. It should be finished by the time bubs arrives."

"I need to get the address so I can go see it."

"Look over your back fence Brent."

"No!"

"Yes, the old house behind us, we can put in a gate and you can visit anytime." I was shocked because I thought it was further up the street.

"Was it yours?"

"Yes Brent, it belonged to the company we bought it along with three more many years ago." It doesn't surprise me, between Antonio's family and our grandfathers they must own most of Prahran.

"So we are going to have a lot of building out the back?"

"A lot, we are doing the other two properties at the same time."

"We might move into the apartment for the duration Con."

"If you want to baby."

"The dust will annoy me, and the noise." John cleared his throat and replied.

"What dust? I run a very clean ship Brenten Richards and the cleaners come in every fortnight. But I do suggest your wash day should be moved to the weekends when there are no workers around. Also, we will put in a new fence, you can do what Antonio is doing at the florist shop and leave a gap where the kids can watch the trucks come and go."

"Good thinking John that will occupy them for a few hours a day."

"Well Bobby and Jenny are so excited to move over this way, little Conner is almost kicking goals at his kindy, apparently he's another one for Ted's team." Ray laughed. Little Conner, Jenny's baby, was a huge Teddy fan, they play kick to kick whenever they get together and that kid is good, so Ted says.

"Now we have to have a real meeting."

"I thought we just did."

"An official one, there's something we want to do but we need both of your approvals."

"Okay meeting started, what is it?" I said.

"We have to name the ships it's the law of the sea." I giggled at Ray's face, I have never heard of such a law.

"But they will have Go ship written on them."

"We want to name them, The Teddy, The Jackson, and The Curtis across the bow."

"What a great thought John, the kids will have their very own ships."

"Not quite Brent but close, it's just we want to start including them at this early stage, you don't mind?"

"Not at all, we are very happy with that, and thank you for thinking of it." Conner was chuffed and when he went to grab the coffee pot he swaggered into the kitchen smelling my flowers as he passed.

"Are those flowers for me Brent?' John asked.

"Yes, a thank you gift from us." Conner cracked up but he didn't say anything.

John was all over them and moved them up the other end of the island, they looked much better and they were out of his way.

Our meeting came to an end and Con had bought the biscuits out with the coffee pot, they can smell them even in their sleep. Jack was the first up and he was giving his snack orders. Conner broke one in half and gave him a piece, Curtis was still trying to play catch up and it took him some time to move next to his brother.

Marty called in a half-hour later he had more mail for me, but only half a big bag this time, my team will breeze through this one.

"Conner I have slotted you in for an interview filming Thursday, it's for the upcoming Brit Awards, something about you being nominated." He grinned.

"Great, do I have to appear?"

"Not if you don't want to, three categories Conner and six for the Grammy's, and Brae got a nomination for best songwriter." He laughed.

"Well, we should win them all." Con laughed also. He has won so many awards his stash in the upstairs flat is a testament to that. I don't think he polishes them they are there gathering dust alongside his other treasured possessions. But his most loved ones are down here with us, his happy cat constantly waves at us from the mantlepiece, it sits next to Beth's photo and his sunshine is still hanging on the back of our bedroom door. The other four are me and his kids.

"So it's a day of interviews then."

"Yes, only thanks for the nominations, nothing too stressful."

"Okay, I will bring Brent along he can amuse me in between takes."

"Leave me out of it, I have too much work to do."

"Sorry baby I forgot you are working now." He kissed me.

By this time Jack wanted more biscuits and was rattling the playpen, Conner picked him up and dumped him on my knee then went back to get Curtis. John gave them a treat and Jack ate his while he stared at me, he then did something very unusual, he offered me a bite.

"Daddy."

I took a little and made a fuss, maybe he's finally learning about sharing.

John started rattling through the kitchen, he was getting the picnic basket ready and Marty left with a smile on his face, he was going home to play with his kids.

"Scrabble Con?"

"Okay." I got the board out and within seconds John was sitting with us, Ray laughed then grabbed the paperwork Con had received from Geoff then went to do some bookwork.

We played two games and Conner accused John of cheating so I put it away, I couldn't stop laughing Con was so red-faced he never loses.

I fixed the kids up and let them play for a bit, then it was time to go get our other son. In all the confusion that was the Richards, Walsh household, I have never felt so loved and so secure in my whole life.

The following day Conner was starting on his work again, he was banging away on the keyboard so much I had to go into Johns to read my letters. I didn't use his good table just his kitchen one. I made stacks as usual and the biggest one was for the kids to do. I put aside the sick ones and pleas to look at them later on. I was looking for that one note that said desperation.

The house went silent and I looked behind me Conner was standing there stark naked.

"What the hell?"

"I've finished for now."

"Okay, you need more inspiration, here or in our room?"

"Just here will do." He grinned I helped him out, then he went back to his composing. This happens quite often especially when John and Ray are out.

My kids were having their naps they can sleep through anything except a packet of biscuits being opened. I cleared the table and relocated the stacks to my desk, I will get Grant to courier the biggest stack to the kids.

John and Ray came back and all of a sudden Conners composing was forgotten. The coffee was on and John proceeded to get lunch ready, just fresh salad rolls today, they are always nice.

"Did you write a hit?" I asked.

"Nearly but not quite good enough, I need more inspiration." He giggled. Jack was the first to wake and he was very antsy, no he didn't want his rock star daddy today he wanted the boring one. I rocked him in my arms and he told me all his troubles, I think he may have had a mini nightmare. I softly talked back to him and he nodded his head then I eventually got a smile out of him.

Whatever I said he understood completely.

I gave him half a biscuit and he sat up, then destroyed it.

Conner got a phone call and passed Curtis over to John he walked back into his music room and closed the door behind him. I could still see him he was arguing with Marty I think, and from the smile on his face, I think he had a win.

When he came back he told us that Marty wanted to do an Australian city tour, he wasn't ready for any tours yet he was busy working on some new songs.

I will write all that into my memo book, I like to be on top of it all.

The rest of the day went without a hitch, it was a hot day so Conner and Ray took the kids for a swim, Benny, as usual, was playing lifeguard, if he ran from end to end once he did it twenty times, then he rested under the small shady tree John had planted a few years back. I tied up the bundle of letters and put it all into a carton then took it across the road to the security van, no Grant but John and Matty were there today, a handsome Australian man and a gorgeous New Zealander who was covered in tattoos.

"Hi guys can you help me get this to the school kids?"

"Sure Brent we can drop it off on the way home, our shift ends around three.

"Thank you." I walked back grinning to myself, I think I just disturbed them, Matt's zipper was half undone. I knew they were a couple, but they haven't said anything to us yet, so we play the game.

Grant arrived at three-thirty and his offsider will sit in the van while he comes to the park with us. I tucked our boys into the car and we all left to go get our other son. We weren't there for more than five minutes when Bubby did his thing by standing and staring at Ray.

"What is it today Mr. Bubbie?"

"We have to talk when you are ready Mr.Ray." I knew this wasn't official football club business because they weren't standing behind him today.

Ray moved over on the bench and Bub's sat with him.

"Did you bring it, mummy?"

"Yes son it's right here." She pulled his Ipad out of her bag, the kids are banned from bringing them to school it distracts them, so Mrs. Green says.

He turned it on and found the site he was looking for.

"Can you tell me about buying gold?" Ray smiled, I guess he knows about it. He took the pad and found the site he uses then he asked.

"How much do you want?"

"But how does it work?"

"You can buy actual gold and leave it in the seller's storage, or have it shipped out to you so you can put it in your safe. You can also buy shares in gold it's not that hard to do just watch it as you do with your other stocks."

"Show me."

With that, I took Con's hand and we started our daily run through the tracks, Conner needed more inspiration and I need to get a clearer head, all that reading is doing me in.

They were still at it when we arrived back, Ray was explaining the intricacies of gold and silver, I heard him say.

"At the end of the day Mr. Bubbie it's a long-term investment. I agree you should do this, let's say, for twenty years then you can reassess your options."

"So how much should we buy?"

"You have enough in your slush account to buy one kilo, I would do that."

"Okay." He stared at Ray for some time while he stuffed a roll into his mouth then handed him one.

"Oh, you want me to do it?'

"Yes, show me."

"I will open an account with the company I use, wont be a minute."

He tapped away a smile curled on his lips and I wanted to tell him to buy two kilos Conner and I will fund it.

By the time training was over Bubby had a big smile on his face, he walked over to Shaun and Ted and I overheard him say.

"He fell for it, two kilos, one for free." They slapped hands and the giggling started.

I don't know whether Ray knew he was being conned or not, but he did enjoy the exchange because that lip smile was now a full-on one.

I was exhausted when we came home but I wasn't to rest just yet, my sister rang. She was checking we would be home tomorrow she and Bobby will be calling in they want to go and have one last look at the old house behind us. She said they will look for anything that can be incorporated into the new house, as a tribute to the old long-standing one that's quite run down.

I told her we would be home no problem and they were to bring little Conner or there will be hell to play from my Conner.

The giggling started then and she promised that will happen, he will make an appearance.

The next day I was so excited to see my sister Jenny and her gorgeous husband Bobby arrive with their spitfire, little Conner. He screamed for my Conner and they both went through the `I haven't seen you for age's emotions.'

Little Conner was very fond of mine so they had a lot to catch up on. He was adorable, blonde curls olive skin and now talking his head off, he's only just past two and a bit, but he always makes me feel he's been around for years. While Con and the bubs all sat on the floor to catch up I kissed my sister and hugged my brother-in-law, he smelt wonderful, but as much as I loved him I wasn't in love with him, my sister was.

"How are you getting along with Sarah?"

"Good Brent, she's a bloody good negotiator and takes no nonsense off anyone." I giggled, yes Sarah's a bit full-on.

"Well, she and Jill are a gorgeous couple," John said.

"Now, coffee then we take a walk?"

"Yes please, I see I have lost my son again, hey, Conner the elder, don't forget he's mine." Bobby laughed

"Not forget daddy, you are the best one." Little Con sang out.

"So are you son." He replied.

We talked about the new baby, Jen wasn't showing much but it's early days yet. She said she didn't want to know its sex she wants that surprise after the birth. I understood but was uncertain because my sister wasn't a very patient lady.

We decided to leave the kids at home they were eyeing off the pool anyway, John and Ray got the job of babysitting and we four walked up the corner then around to the next street. There wasn't anything much worth saving as the floorboards bounced up and down when we walked through it. Jen did think the old mantlepiece could be saved and restored to make a feature, and I agreed with her. Conner and Bobby started pulling it off the wall but the whole thing collapsed, white ants had attacked it and under the years of paint, it was almost dust.

The land is big the house was about to fall, so we looked outside and Conner leaned over the back fence to talk to the kids. Ray had said it had been fenced in a while back and hadn't seen a tenant in ten years.

Like most of the houses in this street, they need demolishing, I believe the Italians are buying them up to build but I will have to talk to Antonio about that rumor.

Back at home, we ate while the kids played with Benny, the pool had been forgotten. Little Conner was having a good talk to his uncle about his music I think because Bobby said.

"He has all your albums Conner he listens to them in the car."

"Really?'

"Yes really, sometimes I feel like tossing them out the window." He laughed.

"That's not very nice, I will have to give you a second set baby, just in case."

Little Conner looked at Bobby and said.

"I told you, daddy, no!" He screamed.

They are coming to the park to see Teddy then they will head home from there. John had their dinner in containers and we all piled into the cars.

Little Conner screamed when he saw Ted and they hugged then started doing some training, my small ones followed wide-eyed, they loved their cousin and brother. He was such a delightful little boy he even wanted to come on our run with us, Conner grabbed the baby's stroller and told him to get in. He then looked at Bobby and started singing one of his kid's songs, I couldn't stop laughing as he pushed that stroller around our track at the top of his voice.

They left us about an hour later, then we drove home with love in our hearts, poor Bobby I guess he's getting an earful of Con's songs on the way home. Before they left my ever-beautiful sister pressed a small object into my hand, it was a snip of a blue ribbon, I chuckled to myself because as I said she would have wanted to know, another boy in the family I'm surrounded by them.

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