The Buick: Section Nine

In Great Falls, Fred had been given advice

To check for work at the Rainbow Hotel,

And soon he'd be entertaining its guests

As well as the locals hanging out there.

"Well, get that, it's the Missouri again,"

Babette babbled at sighting the river.

"That's 'cause it starts in the Rockies, Mama,

And works northeast before heading southward."

"You really are pretty clever, Johnny,"

Fred praised, turning into the hotel lot,

"There's no way we will let these local fools

Put you back in the eighth grade like Billings

Was prepared to do. Ninth grade or bust, son."

Such word was the first time such endearment

Had been bestowed from driver to the boy,

And Johnny felt no qualms. Peace was his goal.

Sure enough, the Rainbow gig stabilized,

The Buick stayed parked by a duplex,

Constance's bankroll kept Babette's dream alive

So that they could open a studio,

Where she could teach the pretty local girls

Who wanted glimpses of the Eastern boy

Correctly placed in the Great Falls High School

Ninth Grade per Fred's powers of persuasion.

And even though Constance didn't approve

This makeshift family was in the clear 

From the clutches of Jack F. Wilkinson.

Until that day the foursome arrived home,

Their second April in the Treasure State,

Johnny admiring the archery set 

He got with the prize money from winning

A school academic competition,

Because as the Buick pulled to the curb,

They were shocked to see Reverend Jones

Standing on their porch with none other than

The smiling Jackson Franklin Wilkinson.

Babette screamed, Johnny stayed quiet,

Constance encouraged Fred to take her in,

But not before showing her upbringing

With a "Hello, Jack, hello Reverend."

Babette pushed Johnny back with her arm,

"What do you want Jack? How did you find us?"

"I'm not sure which question to address first."

The reverend held up his hand in grace,

"Allow me, Babette, to help him explain,

He came to the church seeking help finding

His long-lost son. When he described the boy, 

And the family he might still be with,

I knew he had to be looking for you.

I gave him my word, now I do for you,

Let the boy spend a spell with his father.

As God is my witness, I will be yours."

"Fine, Reverend," Babette had to concede,

"You stay here with Johnny for a minute,

While Jack and I go and talk over there."

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