Michael Castro
Chapter#13
THIRTEEN
The Family Business
July 28, 2008
It’s nice to finally hear from you Big Brother after a short period of silence. Your reasons for not writing are more than valid. It’s perfectly okay. It must be terrible trying to concentrate with loud commotion all around you. I’m just glad you’re happy with what I’ve written because my intentions are nothing but good.
Yes. We’re “Brothers,” and nothing will ever change that fact. As for my health, I don’t want to worry you but it’s as good as can be expected. I’m on daily pain medication I don’t like taking. I get cortisone shots for pain in my neck/back, and go to the chiropractor when needed. Going to the gym with Liz helps keep me strong. Thanks for your concern, but let’s now remember a “Drastic Change” that happened to us when we were very young.
Remember when our first jobs as Cartoon Critics suddenly ended without fair warning?! This “new gig” of ours would eventually lead-up to our family business being called Castro & Sons Gardening & Landscaping. Hearing we’d start working with our father that next Monday was not only surprising, it was upsetting because we really didn’t want to go. Getting-up each morning before the Rooster Crowed was nothing to get excited about.
But if I remember correctly, “You” started your One-year Apprenticeship the summer before I did! Our mother just felt I was too young. So you see, it was our mother’s “Intervention” that kept me home Cartoon Critiquing for one more year. Needless to say you weren’t pleased with this decision one bit.
When first hearing I’d been “Reprieve, I remember how your left eye lid suddenly shut about half way, and it kept quivering with this silent anger. So I knew how upset you were with me without you even saying a single word. I was torn, but happy I could now pick all the cartoons that “I wanted to see!” Then something happened that changed the happy mood of our house. When you finally returned home as the sun was quickly falling from the sky, you looked at me, and you more upset than when you’d left that morning. Your face, hands, and clothes were completely covered with dirt and grass stains. From the time you walked in the door I could smell this strong stench of “Stale Grass and Gasoline.” You were exhausted, and very cranky.
Looking back I probably shouldn’t have been such a wise ass when asking from across the room “And how was your day?!” Because you suddenly stopped on the way to taking a much needed bath. You then “Zoomed-in” on with same sort of look Mr. Freeze gave his Arch Enemies right before freezing them solid!
(Big mistake on my part!)
Your aim was perfect because my feet suddenly froze along the rest of my little body. While in this “Petrified State,” you started stomping towards me with these protruding eyes, and a puckered mouth that look like it’d just ate a whole jar a pickles. When you got within whispering distance, you told me in this deep, possessed voice, “You just wait. It’ll be your turn reeeeal soon.”
Hearing your haunting words almost made me go Number #1 right there in my pants! And just like you had predicted, that next summer arrived a lot faster than I wanted it to. Then it was my turn to “WORK.” Let me use some Football Puns to explain my displeasure.
All of the sudden, I was “Spirally Thrown” into our Family Business like Kenny “The Snake” Stabler’s long Touchdown Pass to Cliff Branch during Super Bowl XI in January 1977. I could have used “Joe Montana to Jerry Rice Touchdown Pass” example, and gave your team Props. But Frisco?! Whatever!!! Just kiddy bro.
My “First Season” on this new team began one a hot summer morning shortly after I arose to temperatures already in the mid 90’s. I felt like a sweaty little piglet who was being taken on a one-way trip to the Football Factory. But here’s the “Real kicker.”
After arriving at our first client’s house to cut their lawn, you told me, “You have do all of the Edging for one full year before I’ll teach you how to use the Lawn Mower!” Ha! I was stuck with that damn dirty Edging Job for a lot longer than just one year you Big Fat Liar!
(Please forgive me Lord for cursing!)
You’d always smile at me, like “Sylvester the Cat before he attempted to devour Tweety Bird.” As I was trying to listen to our father’s “Gardening 101” on how to properly operate the Edger, you kept drawing my attention away with your childish antics. Our father would periodically stop and turn around to see what I was looking at. You’d then quickly drop your “Feline Expression,” and act like this “Perfect Little Saint” that wasn’t doing anything wrong.
I couldn’t see too well through those Worn-out Dirty Goggles I’d been issued at Morning Revelry, but I already knew I’d be stuck with that “Blasted Edger Job” for a really long time. While learning how to properly Edge that day, I could see your job was a lot cleaner, and looked easier to do. But I hadn’t any choice because you know our father always had “the last say so.”
I must confess that while I was learning our Family’s Business, I felt like Private Gomer Pyle being drilled everyday by Sergeant Carter. No matter what, I could never go against a Direct Order given by our father? Remember “Surprise…surprise!?” And “Pyyyyylllle!” Funny how we watched that show in Black & White before it aired in Color the second season.
Our father use to “drill me” on checking the Oil, and making sure there was always Gas in the Gasoline Tank of our Massey Ferguson Edger with the red tank and yellow frame. He kept telling me to “Pay attention!” While you were sticking your tongue out at me every time you pass mowing the lawn with our dark green Massey Ferguson Trimmer. Guess you were still mad at me for staying home that previous year without you?
But “I” was the jealous one because you always operated that Trimmer with such ease. With my imagination, I’d suddenly picture you as “The Green Lantern” using your Power Ring to operate that Massey while flying just above. Dad brought me back to reality once again yelling, “Hey! Where are you?! Aren’t you listening to me?!”
(Yes, you got me in trouble again.)
After landing back on Earth, dad continued to train me over the high pitch noise of your Trimmer as you’d passed just a short distance away. But he didn’t see any of the funny faces you were making behind his back while he was emphasizing, “Whatever you do, don’t ride the Cement Curb with the Edger Blade because it will cause the blade to quickly wear-out! And that’s not what we want! Right???”
“Great!” I thought. “I’d never edged in my entire life, and now dad is expecting perfection! Did he think I was some kind of Gardening Veteran?!” By the sound of his stern instructions I use to think those Edger Blades cost hundreds of dollars to be replaced.
(What do you me they only cost around $1.00 back then?)
The second I lowered that Edger Blade hot sparks started flying everywhere! Besides being very intimidated was really painful to constantly have a combination of hot sparks, little rocks, and flying dirt constantly hit my little pant-leg. You must have found this “entertaining” because all you did was laugh at my displeasure. At that point, our father instructed me to “Tilt the Edger slightly to the left towards the grass” because I didn’t know what the heck I was doing.
All of those sparks flying through the air remind me of our father’s Metal Grinder he had attached to his work bench back at home. And you know what? I didn’t care for either one. They both made loud noises and stinging sparks I just didn’t like at a young age! Maybe it was because I was afraid of what they might do to me if I got too close. Ha! I can laugh now, but I sure wasn’t laughing back then.
I remember being so afraid of that Edger the first day of work. Tell me. Who wouldn’t be afraid of possibly chopping-off a foot, a hand, or some fingers in a split second? I also worried if something like this were to happen, I would there be anyone around hearing me yell “HELP!” as rolled around on the ground holding my severed body part?! Would you even tell our dad? Or you wouldn’t because it was “payback” for staying home the year before? (Funny.)
From my painful experience I could quickly tell you it had no comparison to Yesterday’s refreshing splashes of the Cold Milk I felt while serving a big bowl of Captain Crunch! The sensation of spilled Milk on my leg from an over-filled bowl of Cocoa Puffs was no comparison to the all the Hot Sparks, and Flying Rocks with Attitudes I was now having to deal with. Perhaps, if I’d only eaten Lucky Charms, maybe I would have been “Reprieved One More Year.” Ha!
As I started wondering who was going to take my place as our family’s last Cartoon Critic? You got my attention by yelling “Hey! Hurry-up and stop daydreaming! You have to move faster than that you little slowpoke!” Your sharp remarks made me “Drop My Bowl of Thoughts.”
It wouldn’t have been so bad if I’d only heard you once, but I had to hear you say something “cute” over and over again during all of those dirty, sweaty, long hours that we had to share! And I thought Sergeant Carter had gone to work in the backyard?
(Just kidding dad. Please don’t make me come over and edge your house!)
About half way through this “Cartoon-less Morning” while I attempted to complete my work the front yard, I suddenly thought of our Batman and Robin Cartoon. They were always so brave no matter what trouble suddenly challenged them. They’re attitudes were so positive while fighting crime throughout the city of Metropolis. And it gave Courage.
Over the loud sound of your Trimmer and my Edger, I suddenly remembered this famous quote we lived by back in the day. Do you remember, “There’s no need to fear?! Don’t ride the Edger Blade on the Curb!” (What???)
Perhaps if I’d only taken my Energy Pill from my Underdog Ring in the morning, I could have gained more confidence and strength a lot sooner. But if I’d told you that I was scared of the Edger back then, you would’ve said something like, “You re mind me of Sweet Polly Purebred! You should have stood home with mom and made me Carna Asada Burritos for my lunch when it rolls around?” (Get it? Underdog, Sweet Polly Purebred, Burritos, Rolls Around?) Anyway…
I still remember how I constantly tried keeping my hands as steady as possible while firmly gripping on those two black plastic handles on the Edger. I’d encourage myself with one line thoughts of “This job can’t be done by just any Cartoon Critic.” Suddenly, as the dirt and flying rocks began hitting me once again, I imagined I was “Riff Raff,” and these bullets were bouncing-off my chest without any pain. Perhaps it was my Flintstone Vitamin suddenly kicking-in?
With this newly found “Super Hero Strength and Determined,” I started tilted that Edger Blade just at the right angle as instructed by our father just a short time. Soon, all of those flying rocks and the multitude of “Fourth of July Sparks” I was making a moment ago, were now almost non-existent. I was more in control while slowly guiding that Edger down the side of the lawn.
With this newly found courage I was some kind of “Superhero.” Then this Pecan Nut suddenly hit me and brought me close to tears! When this happened I felt more like “Dumbo the Elephant” being sprayed by peanut fragments all over my face and body! I thought this is how “Wile E. Coyote” must have felt while chasing-down the Roadrunner as he suddenly peeling-out hitting him with flying debris!
After a couple of hours of working with my “Underdog Powers” I started thinking… “This isn’t as bad. I’m almost done with my work.” Then you suddenly yelled at me, “Hey flash! After you’re finished edging the front yard don’t forget?! You still have to sweep-up after yourself! Then edge and sweep the backyard too!” (Where’s the Humanity!)
It wasn’t what you said so much as the way you said it while giving me your “Dr. Doom Look!” I immediately told myself “Why should I take that sort of thing?! GI Joe always got back-up after being knocked-down.” So I gave you my famous “Thing Wrinkled Face Look” from the Fantastic Four because during that morning you’d led me to believe my work was almost done!
This “News” of more work got me so upset for many reasons. Not only was I going to miss watching “The Fantastic Four, Thor, and Captain American,” I was probably also going to miss Hong Kong Fui at 10:00am! Just what the heck is going-on here?!” (Forgive me Lord for cursing.)
Realizing my “Fantastic Wrinkled Face” was only amusing you even more, I stopped to reserve my powers for the Edging Job I’d been cursed with by “The Silver Surfer.” Remember when our father started getting grey hair? Just like you, it was hard for me to suddenly accept “The Realities of this World” while still wanting to be a little boys with little responsibility but play endlessly. The fact that my “Front-row T.V. Powers” were now totally useless was definitely a hard pill to swallow. (Get it? Underdog Pill? Flintstone Vitamins? Try to stay-up with me Flash!)
When I was finally done with my work in both front and back yards I was really tired. Amusement, you then told me “Don’t get too happy Batman! After we’re done with this house we have about six or seven more to do before going home!” (What a sense of humor?)
You then started laughing like Simon Barsinister! You were so into “character” thought you were going to suddenly pull-out your Ray Gun and turn me into a Fried Chicken because you’d grown so hungry! “Aaaaaah! Don’t shoot me Simon!” You began laughing and rubbing your hands together so “Fiendishly” it made the little hairs stand-up in the back of my little neck.
You continued heckling me “He he he!” To the point I was fearful you weren’t going to suddenly pull-out some long twined from your back pocket, and tie me up on the railroad tracks like Sweet Paulee Purebread because I’d forgotten your Asada Burritos. (You’re so funny.)
When hearing about these “other houses” I tried not to show you any “Signs of Weakness.” But you caught me so off-guard, Big Brother, my knees quickly buckled like Superman suddenly been exposed to Kryptonite. “I..can’t...take…much...more..of…this!”
It was a good thing we were “Close Brothers” back in because when we started working on that second house, we started working “more as a team.” I remember how you started helping me finish my work after you’d completed yours because I was so slow at first. This “extra help” continued with every additional house that we serviced that day, and for many following years.
I’ve realized long ago you just got a kick out of seeing my “Juvenile Reactions” to when you teased me back then, but it’s just the kind of harmless things “Brothers” do to one another. Like you said in your last letter that “I shouldn’t sweat the small stuff.” Our experiences during your younger years is what makes our lives so special.
This “transitional period” into young working men is something we are never going to forget. Forgiving each other for all of those “childish little things” we did to each other back in the day shows are maturity as older adults. I’ve come to realize the importance of forgiving each other for “all the little things” we may have done back then. And also for anything more recently. In saying this, I just hope you forgive me for not writing you a lot sooner.
It’s easy for me to say that I was “just too caught-up with my own problems.” But I want you to know that reaching-out to you has also helped me deal with things going-on in my own life. Just hearing that you’re doing okay is very comforting, and it gives me a “special strength.”
At night I make sure to pray for you, Big Brother, along with the rest of our family. I pray for our “Protection, Health, and Wellbeing.” When I arise in the morning I thank God for letting me wake-up one more day. I promise Him that I’ll make an extra effort to have a positive attitude, and do something nice for someone I might come in contact with that day.
This “extra effort” can be a simple thing, like taking mom for morning walks. It’s important now more than ever because she’s recently been diagnosed with Diabetes. Making sure she gets exercise is going to help control her sugars. It also helps control my weight because if I’m overweight, it bad for my back condition. But you’ve got to do what you got to do.
After our walks, for our father’s sake, I’ll ask him if he needs anything or any help around the house. While I can’t do too much heavy lifting, I do what I can to help out. Just stopping by “Out of the Blue” to visit helps because our parents miss you so much.
So while my life has had many setbacks like anyone else’s, I’ve realized the importance of keeping Jesus Christ in my heart and mind each and every day. He’s given me the strength and the mindset to keep moving forward, and still help the people around me as much as possibly can. In the process of helping others it’s true that it also helps relieve my worries.
I’ve written you about are younger years and how we started working with our father to remind you of happier times. Jesus knows I used slight exaggerations to entertain you, Big Brother. He also wants me to remind you that you’re still a very important person to Him, with lots of untapped potential. You just have to decide what you enjoy doing that’s not going to get you into trouble.
Hopefully, my “weird sense of humor” has put a smile on your face because that’s all that matter right now. Don’t forget, Chapter #5 “Guardian Angel” is a true event in both of our lives because you were also there. This is why there shouldn’t be any doubt that Jesus loves us, and is always going to be there.
“All men are like grass, all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the LORD stands forever.”