Within a few months, it became clear to Steve and Danny that Mike was particularly strong on public relations. He insisted on attending all of the trade shows and conventions applicable to the interests of Worthington Industries. In so doing, he brought in so much new business that plant expansion became necessary. Although Mike was now president of Worthington Industries, Danny retained his position as CEO and, in order that they might maintain oversight of the entire firm's operations when Mike was away on extended business trips, he and Steve moved from the lakeside cottage back into the guest house with Mike.
At least once and sometimes twice a month, Mike made long weekend trips to call upon the owner of a smaller firm whose products complimented a Worthington line. He quickly became good friends with the owner who was near his own age, and with the owner's eleven year old twin sons who loved playing soccer and, in bad weather, building train models. Mike became an instant 'Uncle' when he introduced them to the modular concept for HO gauge, inviting them to come to see the layout he and his dad and Pop, as he now called Steve, had built.
Now that visit was at hand. "But Danny and I can certainly do what little is necessary," Steve protested when Roberts insisted that he and Lang would cook their meals and running the household while the visitors were present.
"Indeed not, Sir. Master Michael will wish to include you in the activities he has planned, especially when he takes Mr. Ellison on a tour of the plant. In any event, I'm certain Mr. Danny will be spending some time running the trains with the boys, as I've heard they are quite keen on models."
"That's true. Thank you, Roberts. You are always so considerate I feel as if we take advantage of your kindness."
"Not at all, Sir." Roberts smiled. "For lunch, shall we try the ostrich burgers on the young men?"
"Why not? We all like them and it's easy for you to fix."
A dark blue Lexus pulled up in front of the cottage. Before the driver could open his door, the rear door was flung open and identical boys tumbled out, screaming, “Uncle Mike!"
Mike stooped down just in time for four arms to wind around his neck, his breath crushed in the fierce hugs. Steve walked over to their father and introduced himself.
"I'm delighted to meet you at last," Tom Ellison said, shaking Steve's hand. "The boys are so excited they've forgotten all of their manners."
"That's quite all right. I'm sorry Danny isn't here at the moment, but there was a small problem at the plant that demanded his personal attention. He'll return in time for lunch." While he was speaking, Steve was taking in the gaunt appearance of their visitor. 'He looks seriously ill,' Steve thought to himself as Mike managed to free himself from the boys and join Steve in greeting their guest.
"Tom, how good to see you. Pop the latch on the boot of your car and I'll get your bags."
"Thank you. I expect Steve will need to help with the boy's bag. I think they would have brought everything they own if I hadn't put my foot down. They did manage to sneak a train model or two in that they want to show you." He shook his head as Steve lifted the larger of the suitcases out. "I should be doing that, but I'm just not up to it. Thank you."
"No problem."
"When can we see the trains, Uncle Mike?" The boys demanded in unison.
"We're going to have lunch first. If you behave nicely, then I'll take you up to the museum to see them."
"They're in a museum?" Tom asked surprised.
Mike nodded. "The museum is the house I grew up in. After I went away to school it was too large for just dad and Pop, so they moved into this cottage and the house was made into a museum of architecture. Our trains are in a special room in the basement. The club we belong to has their big layout in another room. I don't think they will mind if I show the munchkins their layout also. It's HO scale like the boys'."
"Thanks, Uncle Mike," they said in chorus. "Can we play some soccer, too?"
"Boys! Enough!" Their father said. "We'll be here for a couple of days if Mr. Harmon can stand us that long. Don't wear him out before we even have a chance to settle in."
"Not to worry," Mike replied with a grin. "Come in and take time to freshen up and rest, if you wish. Lunch will be in just over an hour."
"I will take you up on the opportunity to get a short rest, if you don't mind. The drive was a bit more strenuous than I anticipated." Tom said quietly.
"I'll show you your room." Mike told him, picking up the man's small suitcase.
When he left the room after helping Tom settle in, Mike was accosted in the hall by the twins. "Where's dad, Uncle Mike?"
"He's getting some rest before lunch. He needs quiet, so why don't we go take a look at my layout now and save the club layout until after dinner. Maybe Pop will come with us to help run it."
"Kewl."
"Oh, wow!" The twins' eyes popped wide open at the sight of the assembled modular layout.
"They're so little," one twin said.
"Yeah, but look at 'em go!" The other replied.
With a wink at Mike, Steve switched on the animated figures and watched in amusement as the boys discovered each animated scene.
"Man, I wish we could make the cars on our set move like these," one twin said.
"Dad worked out a way to do that when he was just a little older than you are now. He developed real mechanical skills for making these tiny figures move." Mike moved to his favorite spot and pointed, "See the woman hanging out clothes to dry?"
The twins stared in awe. "Shit, bro, our trains are crap compared to these!" One said.
"Better not let dad hear you say that word, he'll warm your butt good." The other said, before Mike could correct the one who swore.
"Uncle Mike, can you show us how to do some of these things so we can make our layout better?"
Steve grinned at Mike who understood he was saying 'you got yourself into this, now let's see you get out of it.'
"If we have time, perhaps we can stop at the hobby shop and get something like an HO fire truck and fix it so the ladder goes up and a fireman climbs it."
The boys were jumping up and down in excitement. "Oh, thanks, Uncle Mike. You're the greatest."
Steve glanced at his watch, then began to switch off the layout. "It's time for lunch, guys. Mike and I will show you the club layout later on."
With surprisingly little complaint, the boys waited until Mike and Steve had completed closing down the trains then followed them back to the cottage.
Their father was relaxing in Steve's recliner when they entered. The twins ran to him.
"You gotta see Uncle Mike's trains, Dad, they're awesome!" They said in unison.
"Perhaps later on."
"Gee. I wish we lived here so we could see them every day," one said. "Uncle Mike said he'd take us to the hobby shop and maybe his dad would fix us something that works like some of his." The other chimed in.
Tom smiled wanly. "I think you would exhaust Mr. Harmon's patience and Mike's if they were around you every day, so enjoy your time while we're visiting. It's very nice of your Uncle Mike to offer to help you with your trains, but our business discussions with his father are vital to his interests and mine, so don't be disappointed if there isn't time for them to do all the things you want."
"Aw, gee, Dad," one of them began.
"Enough, Erik. Go get washed up for lunch. Mr. Harmon is here."
"We have something special for you," Steve added.
"Oh, boy, hamburgers!" One said as Roberts served.
While the boys prepared their burgers from the selection of side dishes offered, the adults were served their burgers without bread and topped with a sauce. Accompanying were twice baked potatoes and steamed broccoli. Tom tasted his burger tentatively. As he chewed, he began to smile. "This is not an ordinary hamburger. It's delicious and the sauce is superb."
"True," Danny said, "it's an ostrich patty with bourbon sauce. Roberts put us onto it. Ostrich has a lovely flavor and no cholesterol. We use it in every form it is available in. In fact, we've virtually stopped eating beef and don't miss it. Besides, it helps the economy of North Carolina since it comes from a nearby ostrich farm."
"Don't ostriches run real fast, Uncle Mike?" One asked.
"Very fast. Why?"
"Maybe if we eat lots of it we can run faster, too, then nobody can catch us in soccer."
"Sorry, Derek, but it doesn't work that way. Enjoy your lunch for what it is and not wish for the impossible. If you keep up with your running every day, you'll get faster like you want." Mike told them.
"Another burger, Sirs?" Roberts inquired of the boys.
"You bet. These are super good."
Roberts smiled at Danny and served them. None of the adults wished another, for the three-quarter pound servings they were served were ample. As soon as the twins had finished, Roberts served cherry cheesecake to the adults. One of the twins turned up his nose.
"Erik, do we need to have an attitude adjustment?" His father asked.
The boy's face dropped. "No, Sir," he said quietly.
"That's quite alright, young man. I am aware that many young people do not like cheesecake, so I have prepared something special for you and your brother. I hope you saved room for it." Roberts returned a moment later bearing two huge chocolate nut sundaes. The boys squealed in delight and dug in.
"Thank you, that was very kind and thoughtful," Tom said to Roberts.
"Not at all, Sir." He permitted himself a slight smile. "Master Daniel was not a lover of cheesecake either, when he was younger."
Danny shook a finger in Roberts direction.
"No more revealed secrets, Sir," Roberts said before disappearing into the kitchen with a smile.
"You are so fortunate to have such a wonderful butler," Tom said.
"Yes," Danny replied, "But Roberts is a man of many talents. He was my grandfather's butler, but he's now the director emeritus of the museum. His knowledge of architecture of the period is virtually endless. In fact, he teaches an occasional class on the house to the architecture students the professors bring over to tour it."
"But he was serving us!" Tom cried in amazement.
"Roberts insists that it's a part of his heritage with the place. We've finally gotten him and Lang into retirement, but if we have guests, Roberts insists on 'keeping his hand in,' as he says. Frankly, he spoils us terribly and we love it."
Steve stood up. "If you're feeling rested, Tom, shall we move to our office here in the house and have our coffee while we begin our discussion."
Once they were seated in the comfortable office and coffee had been brought in by Roberts, Tom began. "Mr. Harmon ..."
"Steve, please. And Danny also."
"Very well. As I was about to say, the conditions I set for your purchase of Power Control Systems have had to be changed a bit. No, let me finish," he said as Mike prepared to speak. "As I was about to say, I am willing to sell my company to Worthington Industries at the price we negotiated previously. However, now I am willing to lower the price by two million provided that you, Mike, are willing to become the guardian of my sons and raise them as your own. My doctor has found that I have a particularly fast growing form of cancer. There is nothing that can be done and the estimate is that I have perhaps three more months at most. My affairs have been put in order and all proceeds from the sale of the firm will go into a trust set up for the boys."
He paused to sip at his coffee.
"Tom, are you sure the boys would even accept us, much less live with us on a permanent basis?" Mike asked.
"There's no one else they will even hear me speak of. They were overjoyed when I told them we were coming to see you. I heard Erik when he said he'd like to live here."
"I know it must have hurt to hear him say that," Steve said.
"On the contrary. I have been trying to wean them away from our close family relationship so they won't be so dependent on me when I go."
"I admire your bravery, Tom. I'm not certain I could handle your situation so well as you are doing," Danny said.
Tom gave him a slight smile, "It's not bravery, it's desperation, my friend. I know you need to discuss all of this among yourselves and I need to rest again, so I will leave you. Perhaps you will be able to tell me of your decision at dinner."
After Tom had left the office, no one was surprised to feel a tear or two trickle down their cheeks. Finally, Danny cleared his throat and said, "It's time to make a decision. We have two separate issues to explore. One is the original price without any conditions. The other is for Mike to accept guardianship of the boys, raise them as our sons, and obtain the plant on most generous terms. Which shall it be?"
"Mike, how do you feel about becoming an instant father?" Steve asked. "You are aware that dealing with boys their age after the shock of their father's death will take time and dedication, and more love than you thought possible. If this is what you want, Danny and I will back you in every way possible. I know we will come to love them as we love you."
Mike looked up with tears in his eyes. "I know, Pop. They're going to need a strong hand with discipline, but no longer than I've known them, I've come to love them both. Yeah, I don't know a damn thing about raising kids, but you guys did a great job with me and I'm counting on you to surround these little guys with the same love you gave me."
"You know we will, Son." Danny hugged Mike, Steve quickly making it a three-way.
"I guess I can give Tom his answer then," Mike said.
Danny nodded. "Let him tell the boys in his own way and time. A change in their lives this drastic must be told to them by the one they love most, and they certainly love their father. We will act as if we know of nothing other than the purchase of the plant."
"Let's round up the munchkins and show them the club layout. Tom said he thought they brought their favorite locos, so we'll let them run them."
After having them admired by Mike and Danny, the boys each proudly held their favorite locomotives tightly in anticipation. Both Danny and Mike had to smile remembering when they each experienced the same emotions.
As Danny was unlocking the entrance to the basement, a member of the club walked up. "I'm glad you're already here, Danny. Saves me having to hunt up a key. I'm going to do a little work on one of my modules. The trains seemed to hesitate a little."
"You should keep your track clean," Danny retorted in jest.
"Clean my a...." he caught sight of the boys. "Company?"
"Sons of a friend of mine and devoted modelers. They brought along their favorite locomotives for me to see and I was going to let them run on the club layout for a few minutes since they're in HO and our layout is N scale."
"Hey, I'll be glad to help them. Always good to find youngsters interested, so I like to encourage them." He held out his had to the twins. "I'm Dix, who're you?"
"I'm Erik and he's Derek."
"Good to meet you. Say, are your engines DCC or just DC?"
"I guess they're just DC. We wish they were DCC, but dad says our layout is too small to go to the expense." Derek said.
Dix looked disappointed. "Sorry, guys, but the entire club layout is set up for DCC." His expression brightened at their downcast faces. "I've got four modules you can run your trains on because I wired them for both, then I'll let you run a couple of my trains so you can see how DCC works."
"You will! Gee, thanks Mr. Dix." They yelled together.
While Dix was supervising the boys each running a train, Danny and Mike examined Dix's modules. Finally Danny stood up with a grin. "Found it. Cold solder joint on one of the feeders. Once a train leaves Dix's modules, they get power from another booster. Get my gun and a roll of solder, would you, Mike?"
"Sure."
Mike returned within a few moments and handed Danny the connected soldering gun. A few seconds later, Danny handed the tool back to Mike and called, "Hey, Dix, run those trains over your modules and see what happens."
"Got ya," Dix replied. "Hey, smooth as silk. What did you do?"
"Bad solder joint on the feeder. I was just teasing you about keeping your track clean, I know how you are about that. Some of the other guys should be so conscientious in their maintenance."
"Thanks, Danny. I owe ya." He glanced at his watch. "I'd better get going. Those are great kids, wouldn't object to them being at a meeting."
"They may be, before long. Thanks for giving them such a good time. Life is a bit rough for them just now."
"Okay, guys, time to go. Dinner before long."
"Mr. Dix is really nice, Uncle Mike. He said if we got the decoder things, he'd help us put them in our trains and all."
"Dix is a nice guy. I'm glad you got to meet him. Maybe you'll get to see him again." Mike opened the door of the cottage. "Now go wash up for dinner." He swatted each affectionately on the behind as they passed him.
Dinner over, Danny got the boys happily settled in the den with hot chocolate and copies of his model railroad magazines, then joined the other adults in his office for coffee and business.
"Tom, we've agreed to accept your offer for Power Control Systems."
He regarded them warily, hopefully. "Which one?"
"As far as we are concerned there was only one. I love the boys and will do my best to raise them to be the fine men that you are. The sooner you get your lawyers with ours, the better. You know how they can drag out negotiations."
"Mike, Danny, Steve, God bless you all. The greatest weight in the world has just been lifted from my shoulders. I can enjoy my final days without worry. As far as lawyers are concerned, we don't really need them. I am the sole owner of Power Controls and my lawyer has prepared a bill of sale, including the provisions for the twins. If you are ready to hand me a certified cheque for the agreed upon price, Controls is yours, free and clear.
"The general manager has ample funds to cover all expense during the transition. Further, I have spoken with my employees concerning the sale and, Mike, all of them are willing and eager to stay on if you buy me out. You impressed them greatly when you spoke to each one and showed sincere interest in what they were doing when you visited the plant the first time, but you really bowled them over when you remembered their names on your last visit. While what I think no longer counts, I suggest you retain my people, because they are highly trained and loyal to the company.
"I can only say again, Mike, thank God I met such a man as you and your fathers." Tom stood and held out his hand. "Deal, Gentlemen?"
After they had shaken to seal the deal, Roberts appeared with a tray holding four crystal snifters. "Brandy, Sir?" He said, holding out the tray to Tom.
"Superb," Tom remarked after inhaling the fragrant fumes from the heated snifter, then sipping.
"From grandfather's cellar," Danny said. "There are a few things not meant for museum display. I mean to enjoy them."
Tom arose unsteadily. "I must apologize to you all, but the drive up was more strenuous than I anticipated. I need to take my meds and go to bed, if you will excuse me."
"Of course, my friend. I'll get the boys to bed a bit later. Go rest," Mike told him, then added with a smile. "I need to get into practice, don't I?"
Tom smiled. "Won't hurt. They're usually good about going to bed, but you'll have to threaten to warm their behinds to get them in the shower. Of course, once in there, they won't want to get out."
"They will if they want me to fix something for their trains tomorrow. You sleep as long as you wish, and I'll keep them occupied."
"Uncle Mike, Uncle Mike, is it time to go yet?" The treble voices penetrated Mike's consciousness. He pushed up in bed and glanced at his clock.
"Good Lord, guys, it's only six thirty. I never get up before seven at the earliest and the shops won't open until nine. Go read or something until Roberts calls us to breakfast. And don't bother your dad, he needs to rest." Mike snuggled back under the coverlet as the boys left his room.
After breakfast and a hastily drunk cup of coffee, Mike and the twins climbed into his Jeep for a trip to the shopping center.
"Hey, Billy, how're things going?" Mike asked the young clerk he had hired to run the shop a year or so before.
"Pretty good. I'm kind of surprised at how well this place does, but I guess you see the figures."
Mike shook his head. "Not really. I have so much going on I can't keep track of it all, but I'll take a look. If they're good as you say, you might be in for a bonus or a rise in pay."
"That'd sure be nice, Mr. Harmon. I think I might be getting my girl a ring before long."
"Then congratulations, Billy. Keep me informed. I’m going to take a look around. The guys want me to help them animate something for their layout. Didn't we have some nice HO fire engines?"
"Yes, Sir." Billy bent and opened a showcase, handing the model fire engine to Mike.
"Just what I wanted. Figures?"
"Preiser has some nice firemen." Billy pointed to the top shelf in the showcase.
"Give me the one climbing the ladder, the one handling the hose, the driver, and one more fireman. Do you happen to know if my junk box is still in the back room?"
"It's still there, Sir. I put it up on the top shelf so it would be out of the way and not get lost. Hang on just a minute and I'll get it for you."
Mike dumped the contents of the box on top of the counter and rummaged through the tiny parts until he found what he wanted. He placed two miniscule motors next to the figures. "Charge the fire engine and figures to my account, Billy. These motors are my personal items."
"Yes, Sir. Ah, well, do you mind if I order the Heljan container crane and the bulk loader for stock, Sir? The loader is only about fifty bucks, but the crane is over seven hundred."
Mike thought for a moment. "Why not? Hell, I know a couple of HO fans who will love all that automation. I'll try to think to mention it at the next club meeting. If I don't, then you do it."
Billy's smile broadened. "Sure will, Sir. And thanks."
Mike shook his head. "No thanks to me, you're just trying to improve the product lines the shop carries. Heck, let me know if one of the shops on either side come up for rent and we'll do a little expansion."
"Thank you, Sir!" Billy all but shouted. "That's what I'd really love to do. I think it would pay off."
Leaving a happy Billy behind, Mike clutched the bag containing his purchases and ushered the twins out to the Jeep.
"Okay, guys, watch closely, 'cause here's how I'm going to make the ladder go up and then the fireman climb it." Mike said, both boys pressing in as closely as possible to Mike's worktable. As they watched, Mike detached the two sections of ladder from the body of the truck. He carefully placed one tiny motor in the cab of the truck, gluing it in place with a drop of super glue. He attached an almost invisible strand of monofilament to the pulley on the motor shaft, then placed the first section of the ladder in place. When he had the second ladder sliding freely in the gruves in the first ladder, he attached the cord to the bottom of the second ladder after passing it over the top of the first.
Cautiously, he applied power to the tiny motor. It ran opposite to his wishes, so he reversed the leads and tried again. As the little pulley wound the cord, the second ladder began to rise. When it was as high as Mike wanted, he stopped the motor and glued a tiny bit of plastic to keep the ladder from rising any higher. After reversing the motor, the ladder slid back down until it was almost even with the first.
"Gee, Uncle Mike, that's really kewl."
"If you've got some junk at home, try making something work like I've done my automations. I didn't have anyone to show me how, I learned by trial and error. Now, let's make the fireman climb the ladder." Within a few minutes, Mike had rigged the tiny figure of the fireman to the ladders and with the second little reversible motor, made the fireman climb to the top of the ladder and back down.
"Now all we need is a fire for them to put out," Derek said.
"Yeah, like a house or something," his twin added.
Mike frowned for a moment then grinned. "Got the perfect thing, Guys, come on."
They exited the cellar of the mansion, Mike carrying an HO model two-storey house made from wood. "But that ain't on fire, Uncle Mike," Erik complained.
"Wait and see." Mike set the model down in the middle of the driveway and took a butane lighter from his pocket. Carefully, he lighted one corner of the roof and blew the flames out after the roof was about half consumed. Once the smoldering embers died, Mike picked it up and looked it over carefully, then held it out. "Okay, Guys, here's your burning house."
"But it's already burnt," Erik said.
"Wait and see."
Mike placed the house on a square of foam board. Tearing a strip of tissue-thin clear red mylar into jagged points, he glued it to the burned hole on the roof. Screwing a red/yellow bulb into a socket mounted in the house, he switched on the light. With the red mylar echoing the colours, the flames appeared almost real. Mike put the fire engine next to the house and pressed a button to raise the ladder and then the fireman.
"Hey, stupid, hand the fireman his hose so he can put the fire out. What you think I'm paying you for," Mike growled teasingly at Derek.
The boy quickly placed the nozzle of the hose in the fireman's hand. Mike held it in place with a drop of glue. "Well, Guys, I guess you can add the grass and trees and whatever. So finish this up for your layout and try something on your own. You aren't always going to be successful, but when you are, it's worth all the work. Gee, I bet I busted a dozen or more figures trying to make that woman hang out her wash, but I got there." He stood and hugged the twins.
They returned his hug. "Can we use some of your stuff to finish this up tomorrow, Uncle Mike?"
"If I have time, I'll show you how I do it, but, Yeah, you can use my stuff. Maybe dad or Pop will help you. They're both great at making ground look realistic."
"You're kewl, Uncle Mike. We really love you."
Bubbling with joy and enthusiasm, the twins regaled their father with descriptions of Mike's work and how they planned to finish the diorama the next day. Tom smiled indulgently at his sons then spoke to Mike. "My judgment in choosing you is confirmed, Mike. Anyone who can tame these terrors for an entire afternoon has to have infinite patience. Bless you."
"Uncle Mike is fun, Dad." Derek said.
"Yeah," Erik echoed. "He even called Derek stupid."
At a shocked look on Tom's face, Mike looked sternly at Erik. "Okay, you started this, now tell your father how I really said it."
"Well, yeah, it was a joke," Erik admitted.
"That's better," Mike said. "I wouldn't want your father to think I was picking on you guys after you've been here only one day."
"I would love to take you on a tour of our plant tomorrow. I think you would enjoy it, Tom," Danny said, changing the subject.
"I would like that, but there's no way I can walk that much."
"No walking involved, my friend. I use an electric golf cart to get around the plant. It saves time and a lot of energy as spread out as the plant is."
"Oh, good. I may just feel up to it, then."
By the time they were back in Mike's Jeep, Tom was tired, but elated. "I can't believe you can remember the name of every employee, Mike. How do you do it?"
"I'm lucky enough to have a photographic memory when it comes to names and faces."
"It's more than that, though. The way even the janitor responded to you was wonderful. No wonder you're so well liked. I wish I had had that kind of rapport with my people. They'll love you."
"I hope so. If they're happy, they're turning out good work."
After breakfast the next morning, Mike wanted to wait for Tom to awaken and then talk over some thoughts he had had about the business, so it was Danny who indulged the twins, taking them over to the work area he and Mike had built near their layout. He showed them how to mix Sculptamold then spread it around the diorama and up to the edges of the model house. While it dried, he put down a concrete street from his supply, adding a streetlight on the corner, and a wooden fence around the backyard. They were unconscious of the passing of time until the phone rang. It was Roberts calling them to lunch.
"Ah, heck," Erik moaned, "we wanted to finish this up to take home with us."
"You will. The Sculptamold should be dry by the time lunch is over, then we can plant the grass and add some details. I think you will like it when it's finished." Danny told him.
"We already like it. You and Uncle Mike sure are nice. I wish we lived closer."
Danny patted Erik on the back. "Who knows, maybe some day you will. Now get your butts inside and wash for lunch."
"Dad, you won't believe the model he," Derek pointed to Danny, "is helping us build. It's awesome."
"Son, he has a name, it's Mr. Harmon."
"Can we call him Uncle Danny like we do Uncle MIke?"
Danny smiled at his promotion to 'uncle' status and answered, "It will be an honour to have you guys call me Uncle Danny. Thank you."
"As long as you're certain," Tom said.
It was two elated boys who carefully climbed into the backseat of their father's Lexus so as not to dislodge even one tiny speck of the completed diorama for their layout. Mike drove as Tom was clearly too weak to undertake driving the distance involved. In any event, Mike was going to facilitate the final transfer of Power Control Systems into the Worthington Industries family. Danny would drive down after a few days to integrate the computer system with Worthington's and give the Power Control office staff the minimal training needed.
After dinner when their father had retired, the twins conscripted Mike to help them with their train layout. As he had feared, the module he had helped them build made the rest of the small layout look shabby and amateurish by comparison.
"See? I told you our trains would look like shit compared to Uncle Mikes." Erik said.
Both turned pleading looks on Mike. "Help us, Uncle Mike, please." They said together.
Mike looked over the layout and thought for a few moments before answering. "Well, guys, you sure have a lot of work ahead of you to make this look really good. If it were my layout, the first thing I would do is trash the whole thing and start over with modules. Wait," he held up his hand to stem the cries of protest, "let me finish. We can down load the HO module standards from the net. I think you would do better by going Free-mo. It looks more realistic."
"What's that, Uncle Mike?"
"It's a module with a single track and maybe some sidings, so its' more like a real railroad. I think we can salvage a couple of things you've done rather well. We can take sections of your foundation and make them into modules without much trouble."
"Geez, Uncle Mike, we won't ever get to run our trains any more if we gotta do all that."
"Hold it, guys! That's why I like modules, you do a little at a time, finishing it then going on to the next one. Pretty soon you'll have enough to start running again. You can use basic modules for that, even though they won't be very nice looking." He looked at their disappointed faces. "Don't give up before you start. Dad and I will help you. Okay?"
They rewarded him with a hug.
When Danny arrived, he was delighted to find the personnel at Power Controls enthusiastic about the integration into Worthington Industries. That evening, he helped Mike finish construction of the fourth module from the lumber in the former layout. To speed things and reduce weight, he and Mike used extruded foam as the working surface of the module. The twins were ecstatic and eagerly working on one of the newly constructed modules under Mike's supervision.
Both Erik and Derek were on the verge of tears as they said 'Goodbye' to Mike and Danny four days later. For their part, Mike and Danny were extremely worried about Tom's rapidly deteriorating condition. A male nurse was already in attendance, though Tom could still walk, though slowly. With effort he bade the Harmons goodbye after tearfully whispering to Danny and Mike, "Take good care of my boys. I love them so much."
Fifteen days later at six in the morning, the phone rang. Danny answered, listened briefly, then pressed the end button. He turned to Steve who was awakened by the phone. "We've got to wake Mike and get going. Tom's gone and the boys are crying for us."
When they arrived at Tom's house, their pastor was with the boys. Instantly, they were clinging to Mike and Danny. Steve spoke with the pastor to find that Tom had prepared well. The next morning there would be a memorial service at the Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity.
The boys consoled, Steve and Danny distracted them by helping them work on their modules, while Mike attended to details.
The service was beautiful but brief, as requested. Following a delicious dinner prepared by the women of the church, the boys, with Mike, Danny, and Steve sat in Tom's study with Tom's lawyer. When he mentioned the boys and where they should live, they immediately jumped up from their seats and climbed into the laps of Mike and Danny, sticking out their tongues at the lawyer.
Danny chided them gently, asking them to listen to their father's wishes first. They cheered when the lawyer told them they would be living with Mike. Tom had prepared so well that it took only another week to complete the settlement of the estate. The boys shed some tears as they left their old home, the furnishings placed in storage as the house was to be rented, while their personal belongings and precious modules were already on their way to the guest house of the museum.
"Welcome home, guys, we love you," Mike said as he opened the door to the cottage.