MAGICIAN MCDUFFY

They called themselves the “Monday Magicians.” A group of twenty retired gentlemen met at Mrs. Wright’s office at 9:00 every Monday morning to receive their “to-do” list. Each Monday became a special Mission Trip for them as they volunteered to fix various problems for homeowners.

If a homeowner needed a quick repair but could not afford a professional, he called the Magic Nation Station. Mr. Horatio Wright organized the work.

“The Monday Magicians Group is Horatio’s brain-child,” Mrs. Wright told a local newspaper reporter, “The Magicians are retired plumbers, painters, carpenters, electricians and teachers. Besides helping with house projects, they are all on our certified babysitting list. Horatio’s favorite task is babysitting!”

“Do they only work on Mondays?” asked the reporter.

“A Monday project frequently takes all week,” she said. “And they won’t quit until things are perfect.”

One Monday morning, Jim, the new director of the Magic Nation Day Camp, met with the Monday Magicians before they headed off to fix a leaky faucet and paint a porch. “I have a problem,” he said, “with a Day Camp event.

“It’s our March kick-off for the summer day camp. Kids come and check out the camp before signing up. Our donor this year is Mr. McDuffy, owner of ‘Golferama,’ the new golf course adjacent to the playground. McDuffy is Irish and he wants a St. Patrick’s Day Evening Day Camp. I know that sounds confusing, but that’s what he wants. And, he thinks we should have night sports, including Par 3 golf, mini-golf, and frisbee golf. All three will be played with glow balls or disks and lit targets. He’s opening his new courses, free to kids and their adult helpers.”

“Sounds like fun,” said Horatio. “What’s the problem?”

“He wants the program to include kids and their grandparents. Some of the campers don’t have local grandparents.”

“How many grandparents do you need?”

“At least three. We’d like grandparents who play one of those sports. They could help the kids. The smaller kids will play the mini-golf.”

“We’re all golfers,” said Mr. Wright. “We’re also babysitter certified.”

“My grandsons, Bruce and Donald, will be coming,” said Mr. Kelly. “Can I have a bunch of grandkids for the event?”

“No problem,” said Jim. “I knew I could depend on the Monday Magicians.

“Tony’s going to give a few golf lessons before the event starts. Maybe some of you could help.”

“Tony’s my grandson!” said Mr. Thomas. “We play often.

Actually, he’ll probably teach me a few tips. I’ll bring my wife along too. She’s a terrific putter. Actually, she’s a better golfer than I.”

“Does anyone know Carlo Roderigez? He’s the best friend of Michael Miller. The duo is known as ‘Micarlo.’”

“Michael’s my grandson!” said Michael’s Grandpa Miller.

“Can I be Carlo’s grandfather for the evening?”

“Perfect. His grandparents live in Mexico, and he sees them only twice a year. He really misses them.”

At lunch, after making various repairs at an elderly lady’s house, the Monday Magicians discussed the St. Patrick’s Day event.

“I’m been anxious to play that golf course,” said one of the men. “It is a short one, all par three holes, and great for beginners. The course supplies clubs of all sizes and even has a driving range.

“There’s a mini-golf there as well with castles and ponds. The Frisbee golf is in the back, near the playground’s basketball court.”

“I’ve never played night golf,” said Grandpa Miller. “I imagine it’s hard.”

“You can see your ball and the flag but not much else,” said Mr. Kelly. “It’s fun to watch the ball fly in the air. One time, my ball landed in a field of high grass. I could barely see it glowing under the brush. It looked like a convention of fireflies!”

“If I’m going to help two sixth graders play night golf, I guess I’d better practice,” said Michael’s grandpa. “Anyone want to try golf tonight?”

Michael’s Grandpa Miller, Mr. Wright and Mr. Kelly arrived at the “Golferama” at dusk. Mr. McDuffy, the owner, said he’d play along with them.

“There will be a prize for the St. Patrick’s Day event,” said McDuffy as he pulled his golf clubs along next to Michael’s grandpa.

“Call me ‘Gahpa,’” said Grandpa Miller. “That’s what Michael named me. I’m going to have two children with me,” said Grandpa Miller. “I hope it won’t be a team game. I would have to pick one child for my partner.”

“Don’t worry. The game doesn’t rely on being a good golfer. It’s just a drawing for a door prize.”

“I didn’t know you had two grandchildren,” said McDuffy.

“I don’t. I’m going to be Carlo’s ‘Grandpa for the day,’ or, should I say, ‘Gahpa for the night’?”

“Carlo’s grandpas live in Mexico City,” added Mr. Wright. “He really misses them.”

The next morning, Mr. McDuffy phoned Mrs. Wright at the Magic Nation Station. “Do you have a phone number for Carlo’s father?” he asked. “He’s a chemistry professor at Falls U.

“By the way, tell your husband I’ll frequently serve as a Monday Magician. I’m hiring a high school student to work my golf course on Mondays this summer.”

When Michael and Gahpa arrived to pick up Carlo on St. Patrick’s Day, Carlo was thrilled. He remembered Grandparents Day in Elementary School. Everyone in his class had a grandparent attending except for him. All four of Michael’s grandparents were there, and one couple sat with Carlo. “We’ll be your grandparents today,” they said. After that day, Carlo thought of Michael’s ‘Meemah and Gahpa Miller’ as his American grandparents. Now he realized they felt the same way about him.

“Where’s Meemah?” Carlo asked.

“She’s coming later,” said Michael. “She’s baking Irish Soda Bread for the party.”

“My mom’s helping in the clubhouse kitchen,” said Carlo.

Before the event began, Micarlo and Gahpa took a short golf lesson from Tony. “Always watch where your feet are pointing when you line up,” said Tony to Gahpa.

McDuffy’s white bull terrier ran up to visit the golfers. He wore a green leprechaun hat with a shamrock on it. “Watch out for him,” said McDuffy. “He likes to steal the balls and the Frisbees. His name’s Tater. He’s my little Irish Potato.”

“You are scheduled to play golf first, then select either Frisbee or mini-golf,” McDuffy told Micarlo and Gahpa. He pulled Grandpa Miller aside and whispered in his ear.

Grandpa Miller walked to the first tee with a big smile on his face. “We’re going to have the time of our lives!” he said.

The two boys did well on their drives. Although it was very dark, both balls appeared to be close to the green.

“Good job, boys,” said Gahpa. “Now it’s time for me to show off.”

He placed his tee in the ground, faced directly to the right of the fairway, and prepared to hit his ball.”

“You’re going the wrong way! Look where your feet are pointing,” said Michael.

Gahpa went ahead and smacked his ball right into some high grass, not too far from the clubhouse wall.

“Oops,” said Gahpa.

“Now we have to waste time looking for your ball,” said a frustrated Michael. “I told you that you weren’t lined up.”

“I can’t walk through that high grass,” said Gahpa. “Carlo, how about you look for my ball.” He handed him a flashlight.

“I’ll go too,” said Michael.

“No. Stay with me,” said Gahpa. “I only have one flashlight. Besides, Tater will probably be here to help.”

Carlo grabbed the flashlight and his putter. He walked toward the missing ball, pushing down the high grass with his feet and his putter. Tater joined him, pushing the grass with his snout. Just as they were about to move toward a slight glow, Carlo saw two men approaching from the clubhouse.

“Sorry if we’re holding up the game,” Carlo called to them.

“We’ll just take a lost ball penalty and keep going.”

“Carlo,” one of the men said.

“We’re here,” said the other.

Carlo’s felt his heart beating. The voices and accents were familiar. He shined the flashlight toward the men.

There stood both of his grandfathers.

After the games, the day campers ate Irish Stew and green potato chips in the clubhouse. Mrs. McDuffy dished up colcannon, a special Irish mashed potato dish while Meemaw served the Irish Soda Bread. The high school music teacher led the group in Irish songs; McNamara’s Band was the favorite. When an Irish dance group performed, Mr. McDuffy, who wore a leprechaun costume, danced along. Then he handed out green cookies and cupcakes.

“Mr. McDuffy called us when created the event,” said one of Carlo’s grandpas. “He bought us airplane tickets to Falls City and even set up our hotel rooms.”

Carlo’s mother walked out of the kitchen. She carried a platter of chicken tortillas. The tortillas were tinted green.

“St. Patrick’s Day isn’t just about green cookies and Irish music,” said McDuffy. “And, it’s not just for the Irish.”