"Martha, dear, I can't find my razor," Wayne called out.
"It's in the bathroom marked 'soap and things,'" she replied.
"Ma, can you help me with this dress―Thanks," Julie asked.
"Will, are you boys about ready up there?" Ma yells at the bottom of the stairs.
"Yes, Ma."
"Martha quit worrying. Everything will be fine," Aunty M. replies.
"I know, Aunty M., I know," she said as she tried to help load things into the cars for the trip to Salt Lake City. "I just have the feeling that something's wrong," Martha said as she looked down the road. For in her gut she knew that something was wrong.
Everyone was dressed in their best clothes, ready for the trip. The suitcases were loaded in the cars, and Pa checked the list again. "Robert?" He asked.
"Yes, Pa?"
"Make sure Ned and the boys are fine and tell them we're leaving now," he said.
"Ok, Pa."
Martha walked around the house to say goodbye to Mr. Stringham. "Mr. Stringham, we are leaving now," Martha said, kissing him on the cheek. "Thanks for all the hard work you've done." Looking at the house, she said. "We just love it," and sighs.
Everyone piled into the cars. It was snug, but nobody minded as they drove out of town that morning to a big city. Leaving the small cities behind them in the distance, it was nearly an hour's drive as they reached Salt Lake City.
The children, led by Aunty M. could see all the towers and buildings from the freeway. The first place they visited was the Marriott Hotel. Pa thought it was too fancy for them, but Aunty M. marched them right in and got them all rooms for the night. The hotel had two beds per room, except for the girls' and Ma's and Pa's rooms, which Aunty M. shared with them. The three small boys shared one bed, while the others had two boys per bed, making seventeen beds and five shared rooms. After they checked in and settled in, they brought in two extra beds for the larger rooms for an additional five dollars.
Aunty M. took the three boys to the park and zoo while the grown-ups did their thing. Everyone was excited when Aunty M. said the zoo, and they timed their watches to meet back at the hotel for lunch at one o'clock.
Pa took the list with the measurements and things they needed for the house and Ma's arm. Kollie took Renee and the children in front, marching down the Street. Anna pointed down the Street at a trolley that went by with her brothers inside, headed for the zoo, and waved. As they walked down Fifth and Second Streets, the buildings looked as big as skyscrapers when they touched the sky. Shop windows showed their finest wares and goods as people stopped and passed them by. It was a busy place in Salt Lake City, unlike their home in New Downing, where everyone knew everyone and everything. Here, you could get run over just by standing still.
Their first stop was a beauty parlor where Ma and the girls watched a woman cut hair and put it into a fancy bun from a storefront window. The boys thought it smelled funny, while Julie and Anna found some styles dreamy and rolled their eyes at them.
Pa smiled, watching Ma amuse herself in the window as he pushed them towards the door. "Why don't you ladies go get your hair done?" He said, seeing a barber across the street for the menfolk as he rubbed Robert's and EJ's heads. "And I'll take the boys to get theirs done, too," he said, looking at the list.
"Are you sure, dear?" Ma asked, looking at her daughters' faces and smiles.
"Yes, dear, now scoot." Kollie kissed his wife on the cheek, holding the door open for the ladies; Ma watched them go across the street.
Aunty M. was having her own fun with the three boys as they rode the trolley up the hill on Sunny Side Avenue to Hogle Zoo. The boys' eyes were wide as they looked at all the skyscraper buildings out of the window of their seats. They bounced from one seat to another to see everything as the bell on the trolley clangs up the hill. When the trolley came to a stop at the top where the zoo was, Aunty M. took Sam and Danny's hand. Sam took Ted's, and they went off to explore the zoo.
The first stop was the monkey cages, where Danny pointed. "Over there, Aunty M., on the tree eating a banana." Then Sam pointed to some monkeys playing in a swing as all three boys tried to act like monkeys, making Aunty M. laugh. Ted spotted the elephant and giraffe pins, and Aunty M. gave them each a bag of peanuts to feed them.
The elephant's trunk would swing back and forth, and the boys would toss peanuts to it. When the elephant reached its trunk to help himself, the boys would back away against the wall, quickly guarding their peanuts.
The next stop on her list was the train and the petting zoo as they made it around the park. The train would go around the park, over a hill, and through a tunnel. Aunty M. watched the three boys laugh as it came down the mountain. On the train, the boys saw all the different types of animals on the route as they went around the park before returning to the station.
When they got off the train, they all ran to the petting zoo around the corner, where a goat tried to eat Aunty M's flowery hat as the boys laughed, petting a baby camel with one hump instead of two, knocking her over. Then, saying goodbye to the zoo, they each got a souvenir of their favorite animal and rode the trolley back down the hill to Liberty Park to ride the carousel.
The boys, hearing the carousel music, raced to the entrance, finding each a horse to ride with Aunty M. right behind. Ted rode one of the painted horses, and Danny and Sam, right beside them, would pretend that they'd be running a race as the carousel went around the park. After a while, they played on the swings and the slides before heading back to the hotel for lunch and a nap for three tired little boys. And Aunty M. was exhausted, chasing three little boys all morning as she slumped in a chair, watching them fall asleep.
She kicked off her shoes. "Ah, that's better," rubbing her sore feet, then pulling out her list. "Now where was, I―ah, yes." With a knock on the door and checking to ensure the coast is clear, then slips a note under the door of room 308.
Please be advised that danger is on the loose. Morgan is in town, so meet me tonight at 1 a.m. Send SOS to Wells, Butterfield, Lenfind. Asap.
-M-
She was then sneaking back to her room.
* * * *
Wayne looked across the Street where the girls were sneaking over to peek through the windows, trying not to be seen. He watched for only a moment, knowing how long it takes for women to get their hair done compared to men, and then sneaked back to the barbershop.
"Alright, boys," he said, handing each of them a small list and laughing. "The coast is clear. You have at least an hour." He pointed to the ZCMI around the corner and gave them each an address to send the packages back to the hotel.
The boys made a run for it as soon as they got their haircuts and were out the door with Kollie right behind them. Pa remained behind to keep a lookout for the girls, laughing as they went out the door. Taking Pa's list of the sizes and the needs and wants of their sisters, the boys bought all kinds of gifts as they sneaked around the store, peeking and making sure the coast was clear when buying for each of them on their list.
There were a couple of times they nearly got caught, and said, "No, this is for Will, or this is for Robert, or do you think Pa would like this?" Or picking something else or going back to get it when they were not looking. Richard had been the best as Pa handed him a list of everyone, and he and Kollie would shop for and be on the lookout for each other. They had all their packages wrapped in brown paper tied with string and then sent to the hotel. "That's right, sir," each of them handed him the money and the address. "I need these sent to the Marriott Hotel." The man looked at Kollie on the side, giving him a nod and smile, then waited for all the boys to go outside to join Pa as Richard and he went through the counter and left a tip before leaving.
Martha, Renee, and the girls walked out of the beauty parlor, patting their hair. They saw the boys walking back around the corner with smiles on their faces. "And what have you boys been up to?" Martha asked.
"Nothing, Ma, just window shopping, that's all," the boys replies. Martha and Renee looked at Wayne and Kollie and their guilt-ridden faces. "I see," they said, putting their fingers to their lips as they tapped them. They watched the boys and their husbands' amused faces. "As long as you had a good time," they replied and laughed.
They did a little bit more window shopping before heading back, but only after stopping at K Phipps Photography studio to set a time to have all their photos taken after lunch. Martha and Renee batted their eyes at their husbands. "Please, dear, while everyone looks so nice and we are all together," how could they refuse?
"Alright, dear," putting down the time at three o'clock on the books.
The Whitmores were right behind them, hearing Renee telling Kollie. "This will be the first time I have a picture of you not wearing a Kitenge gown, dear," and loving every minute of it.
He just smiled and put his arm around her. "Yes, dear, I know," he said and kissed her right there on Third and Second Street in the middle of the crowded sidewalk.
Julie and Anna sigh, "Ah-ha," and the boys roll their eyes. Pa whistled in the air, looking at the time. "A hum," as they both came up for air. Renee, a little taken back, was lost in the moment for a second. Then she started giggling. "Oh my," she patted her hair. "Oh, yes, where were we?" Renee said, taking her husband's arm with a little color on her cheeks. Ma was giggling like a schoolgirl as she looked at Pa with wanting eyes.
After exploring the town, the family receives an invitation to a dance in the park sponsored by the Marriott Hotel Fall Festival. The invitation includes a carriage ride to and from the park. The children are excited and ask their father if they can go. Wayne agrees, and they are informed that everything has been arranged. They are also suggested to visit a dress shop and tuxedo rental store. They follow the usher to the dining room, where their Aunt Margaret awaits. A note is slipped into her pocket with the code word "Morgan," which says to meet at the ball near the bridge for a dance partner. Aunt Margaret then asks the children what they want for lunch.
The three boys had a great time at the zoo and the park, and they shared with Aunty M. everything they saw up and down the Street and some of the stores. Ma and Renee kept a close eye on the time for pictures. "Well, it sounds like you had a good time, but we need to do some more shopping if we're going to make it to that ball tonight. Yes, sir," Aunty M. said, looking at the invitation on the table. "We're going to need some head-turning dresses, Wayne. Let me see that list of yours again. What we need is a posse," Aunty M. said, cutting up the list into sections.
"Now that we are here, what time do we need to be back, ready to go, hmm? Six to change that gives us four hours, maybe five. Yes, I think we can do it, folks, with a little help from my friends," Aunty M. waved over to the doorman. "Everyone, meet Sir Drealin. He and I go back a long way. He's from Ireland. I've known him since he was a wee babe," she said.
Sir Drealin was a sophisticated, tall, slender chap, unlike the short and chubby penguin-like doorman dressed in a black suit with a gray bow tie and shiny black shoes. According to most people, including Aunty M., Sir Drealin was born and raised in Ireland. But in truth, he and his family are what we call visitors from behind the looking glass and live in a small town called Springfield. There are a few others like him where Derrick lives, such as Jaydan and Mr. Golden Eyes, as well as a couple of ladies like Ms. Lady Luck, to name a few.
Mr. Sir Drealin was tall as if he had stilts for legs, dressed in a grey penguin suit. His hair was dark brown with grey on the sides, and he had an Irish accent. "And I, her grandchildren," he said, dotting his eye with the back of his sleeve.
"Drealin, meet the Whitmore's, and these folks here are the Downings that you have heard so much about," Aunty M. replies.
"I'm pleased to meet you, fine folks," he said as he shook hands and wiped his hat. "I'd love to sit and gab, but I am still on duty," he said, eyeing the door. "So I'd better get back to my post. If you need anything, give me a holler, and Sir Drealin, that's me, will come running," he replied.
"Actually," Aunty M. said, putting her hand on his arm. "That's why I called you over here, Drealin, dear. I need your help," she said.
"Well, why didn't you say so in the first place?" He replied. Then, with a wave of his glove, a boy came over, and he leaned over to him.
"Yes, sir, right away, sir," and another man standing by the door.
"Now then," he said, folding his gloves into his hat and setting it on the table. "How can I be of service?" He pulled up a chair.
"As you know, Drealin, these folks are from out of town," she said as she smiled. "They would all like to go to this shindig," she said, pointing to the invitation. "And still get all this done," she replied, pointing to Wayne and Kollie's list.
"I see," he said as he nodded his head.
"And yet, see this great city of ours and have a bit of fun," Aunty M. said.
"My, that is a problem, I must say. It sounds like we need to do something about that problem, looking at these wee children and this here problem, then. You say four hours, maybe five tops, Margaret dear, hm?" He replied, stretching his legs and fingers.
"That's right, Sir Drealin," Aunty M. replies.
"Well then," he said, placing his hat on his head and his gloves in his back pocket. "Then we best get a move on it, dear. There's a barber for the wee ones just down the hall to the right. Tell them Sir Drealin sent you, then meet me out front," Sir Drealin said, clapping his hands, watching a runner come forward, then taking the list in his hand, hurries out the door screaming orders.
Groomsmen running this way, down the hall, down the ally. Aunty M. watched everyone while they finished their lunch. Pa took the boys down for their haircuts while the women freshened up, putting on their makeup for the pictures. The boys rolled their eyes, pacing the floor, telling them to hurry up as they all went down to meet Sir Drealin at the front of the hotel. Two large vans with logos were parked in front of the hotel, with Marriott Hotel on the side and Sir Drealin holding the door open for them as they got in.
He took the lead; the van drove them around the back to Gretchen Foster Dress Shop on Fifth and Third Street. Harry Lends Tux on Luxton Drive on 22nd Street. Gretchen himself came out to greet them. He closed his shop just for them for teatime, and he called it according to the sign on the door. "Wee, wee, Sir Drealin, not like this," Gretchen said as he pointed to the Downing and Whitmore's. "This won't do for such fine ladies of such quality as madam missals. Such fine young men. Back into the changing rooms." He clapped his hands twice. They said, pushing them back toward the rooms where he brought them fine gowns and suits to try on for their pictures and the boys' tux. "Ah-ha, that's better," he said, taking his fingers to a square and smiling.
"Then, little tucks here and there. "Pretty as a picture," Gretchen and Harry said as he dotted his eye. "And the wee one, yes," they added. K Phipps took pictures of the children while Ma and Pa smiled at them in their nice clothes. Sir Drealin and Aunty M watched the clock and passed notes with runners behind everyone's back down the road.
"Is everything set?" Aunty M asked, quickly nodding to Sir Drealin, who winked back. Sir Drealin made sure that dresses and tuxes were returned to the hotel for tonight's festivities, passing a note to K. Phipps and "GF" to be on the lookout for. Code Morgan. "P" Ronda view.
Everyone changed back into their nice traveling clothes and hopped back into the vans. They were off to their next place, according to the list. Sears Roebuck and Co. was down on 8th and 27th Street, according to Sir Drealin. There was a toy store for the younglings that they just got to see. There was a large fabric store, B. Burton, just around the corner that Martha and Renee would fall in love with. It would also give Wayne and Kollie some ideas about what to build for their shop.
Noting the time on his watch, 3:45, Sir Drealin pushed everyone into the van and waved, pointing at his watch. "Come on, wee children, lots to do, lots to do," as they arrived at the store. They broke up the list, with the girls receiving theirs with Ma and Renee and Aunty M. at their side. Sir Drealin and Richard took the three boys to explore the toy shop around the corner while the older boys went with Pa and Kollie to look at the appliances.
The women busied themselves with the rest of the store to meet back within an hour. They timed their watches to meet back on the corner by 4:45 with the list in hand. Then they all went back to the hotel for a night of fun with everything accomplished just in the nick of time, thanks to their new friend, Sir Drealin. The night was young as they sat down for a quick bite to eat at a local Sambos around the corner. Sir Drealin told them about the night's festivities as the girls giggled excitedly. He even taught them a few extra dances so they would all fit in tonight. "Like this," taking Madam Missal Julie's hand, EJ taking Ma's hand, and Robert taking Anna's, they practiced several times. Even though they had two left feet or two right feet as they tried to copy him.