"What seems to be the problem, Mr. Riley?" she asked.
"My loan request has been declined, that's what the problem is!"
"Let's just stop and take a breath. Then you may come into my office and we can discuss the details, okay?" she asked, sweetly. Seeing as he was getting some attention from an attractive lady, his ire diminished and he bowed his head slightly, then followed Rose into her office and she closed her door.
They got into the particulars of the loan request, and she could see where the issue lay. He was requesting a larger loan than he could reasonably cover. She examined his account balances and his history with the AgCU and pointed out that he should not need that much money to complete the kitchen rehabilitation. He bowed his head and mumbled that he just wanted to have some cushion. Rose re‑worked the amount and the interest rate and was able to offer him enough of a loan to complete the refurb and give him a little cushion. Mr. Riley was almost in tears at the results.
"I din't mean to get so angry, Miz Lawson. I jus' wanted to be able to do it right for my Maggie," he explained. "She doesn't much care for being a 'Naggie Maggie', in her words, but we need to fix up the kitchen."
"I understand, Mr. Riley. And we value long‑time members such as yourself. Thank you for being reasonable and working with me to work this out. I hope you have a better rest of your day."
Friday, January 22
Rose had texted her mother that morning before leaving for work, asking if they could talk. It was at lunch when Martha got back to Rose, asking if they could video conference that evening. Rose responded affirmatively and set a reminder on her phone for 7:00 PM. She wondered what had transpired when her father had returned home on Wednesday. Yet, she wanted to be involved in her parents' relationship as much as she wanted them in hers, that is to say, not at all.
= = =
'Free at last! Free at last! Thank God, Almighty, I'm free at last!' David thought as he walked back to his room from his last class. Climbing the stairs, he dodged a few who were descending, most carrying duffle bags. They were likely heading away for the weekend, and that inspired him. He realized he had no assignments due on Monday; therefore no reason to stay at school for the weekend. Entering his room, he quickly placed his books on his desk. David found his duffle bag where it had been kicked beneath his bed. He gathered up a couple of days' worth of clean clothes and crammed them into it. Looking around, he spied his portable hamper with a few days' worth of soiled clothes and grabbed it as well. Finally, he scribbled a note to Robert saying, 'Rob, Gone home. Back on Sunday. Enjoy. ‑Dave'. Grinning like the Cheshire Cat, David exited the room with both his hands and his heart full and was soon skipping down the stairs himself.
He had a beautiful girlfriend to surprise!!
= = =
Julie was in a bit of a panic. Here it was 4:30 and she had no idea what they were making for supper. Dawn and John could be there within the hour, and she wanted to make it a perfect evening for the four of them. She had been back in the apartment since 3:30, but she just couldn't seem to focus.
Tom was reclining in the chair, doing some reading for his 'survey' course with Mr. Price, but he kept being distracted by Julie's pacing. Finally, he had enough and called out to her.
"Jules, what's the problem? It's just Dawn and John. They're friends who have eaten their share of dorm food. They'll love whatever you make."
"But THAT's the problem, Tommy. I don't know what to make, and time keeps passing. Would you please help me?" Julie was nearly in tears with her frustration.
Tom set his book on the coffee table and stood. He wrapped Julie in his arms and kissed the top of her head, willing away her worries. She nestled in and soon her heartbeat matched his. Calmer, she craned her head up to kiss him. Reassured, she asked, "What do you think we should serve them?"
"I think simple and filling is the order of the day. How about spaghetti with meat sauce and salad and maybe some fruit?" he suggested. "We can easily pull that together in the time we have left. I'll even make some toast."
"Oh, thank you, Tom! Why didn't you suggest that earlier?"
"You did not ask for my help, Jules. One of Mom's rules was 'stay out of the kitchen unless you are asked to help.' Out of habit, I just defaulted to her rule, I guess. That does not seem to be your rule, so I'll try to break that habit."
Working in concert, dancing around each other in that small kitchen area, the pair got the pasta and sauce ready in time for Julie to change out of her top and jeans for a sweater and skirt combination. Tom was buttering the last of the toast when the knock came at the front door.
Julie dashed to answer it, and soon squeals of delight resounded in the small apartment. Welcoming Dawn with a hug and welcoming her and John inside, Julie took their coats, hung them by the door, and noticed the bottle of wine in Dawn's hand. Tom poked his head out of the kitchen to see their guests and smiled broadly. "You're just in time. We're about to set the food on the table in here."
"Oh, it smells so great!" John practically gushed. "So much better than the glop offered in the caf." Tom gestured to a seat, and John was about to sit when he stopped himself. "Dawn? Where would you like to sit?" When she gestured to the closest chair, he solicitously pulled it out for her, to Tom and Julie's amusement. John then took the seat to her right, and Julie sat across from Dawn.
"Oh! This looks like a
good
bottle of wine. It has a cork and all," Tom teased. "Shall we have it with the supper, or save it for later?"
"Open it now, Tom, and let it breathe while we eat," Dawn recommended. "Water's fine for us, right John?" At John's agreement, Tom soon found the corkscrew and extracted the cork almost expertly, and returned to the table. John and Dawn picked up their forks while Tom and Julie clasped hands and reached for their friends'. Abashed, the utensils were laid down, hands were clasped, and heads bowed as Tom asked for God's continuing grace, love, and protection for all of them while giving thanks. At his "amen", heads were raised and faces showed smiles of pleasure and a little embarrassment.
Tom and Julie picked up their forks and Dawn and John quickly followed suit. The expressions of delight on their guests' faces as they ate pleased and relaxed Tom and Julie. There was little discussion as the four ate their simple yet filling meal. Once the meal was eaten, Tom gathered up the plates, bowls, and silverware and headed for the sink.
"Jules, I think it would be good to show Dawn and John the 'expansive' apartment we have. I'll take care of the dishes." Tom practically shooed the three from the kitchen.
"Well, folks, as you can see, we have the primary living space which spans the entire width of our apartment. Here is the front door through which you entered. You can see your coats are safe and easily accessible should the need to make a break for it strike you. Our comfortable sofa and chairs surround the coffee table, and there's a pleasant view of the darkening sky out of our window before you.
"If you will follow me, down this short hallway we have a bedroom immediately on the right with the master bedroom at the rear and the full bath nestled cozily between. You may not have noticed, but there is a rear door accessible through the combination kitchen/dining area which leads to the back yard. I'm informed there's a nice egress out there as well.
"I hope you have not gotten lost during this tour. Be sure to tip your tour guide well, please." Julie's smile was ear‑to‑ear as Dawn laughed and John slowly shook his head from side to side, smiling as well.
"May I use your bathroom, Jules?" Dawn asked.
"Of course, Dawn. Now, don't get lost. This is a big place, you know."
John settled onto the sofa, stretched his arms along the arm and back, and just took in the surroundings. Julie stepped back into the kitchen to help Tom quickly finish with the dishes. They returned after a couple of minutes with the bottle of wine and four goblets. Dawn was a minute longer rejoining them, and she settled in next to John on the sofa.
"Jules, I figure y'all are using the master bedroom for sleeping and such. What're you using the other bedroom for?" Dawn asked.
"I use it for studying when I need to focus and Tom has already claimed this space for himself. It's there for occasional overnight guests as well, I suppose. David and Maggie are planning to visit during the first part of Spring Break, when we won't be studying, to tour the campus. David's transferring in and Maggie's gonna be a freshman in August. David is Tom's younger brother," Julie explained, "and you know that Maggie's my younger sister."
Dawn eyed the short hallway leading to the bedrooms speculatively, then settled in to enjoy the wine. Julie took a sip and asked, "Say, Dawn, how did you come by getting this wine? It's very good. Your birthday's not until the end of April as I recall. John, did you pick this up?"
He responded, "Sorry. My birthday's not until the last of March. We're still only 20 years old." He turned to look at Dawn, puzzled. "How did we come to have this bottle, Dawn?"
"Actually, I brought it back with me from home. I raided my parents' little wine closet. I had intended to share it with John, which I guess I'm doing now. It's just that my new roommate, Renée, is just way too curious about my stuff. Besides, I'd much rather share it with you two plus my guy. Oh! That reminds me. We've got something for Tom." Dawn got up and got a wrapped box from her coat pocket. Returning the few steps to the group, she presented the gift to him, saying, "Tom, this is from John and I in special thanks for bringing us together back in October. We're sorry it has taken us so long to give this to you. Open it now, please."
Tom thought, 'For the size of the box, the contents felt rather heavy.' He carefully opened the Christmas wrapping paper from the box and just stared at what he had unwrapped. Disbelieving what his eyes registered on the outside of the box, he opened it up and extracted an oddly‑shaped bottle full of liquid. The box's contents matched the box's outside: a new bottle of 'Business Man' cologne. Julie's eyes widened in surprise and delight at the treasure in Tom's hands. He was speechless; his mouth tried to form words, but nothing came out. He looked up at Dawn and John and saw their pleased smiles at his reaction. Finally, some words emerged from Tom.
"Oh, my God! They don't make this any more. How? How did you get this?"
John answered, "We found two bottles some time ago. We meant to give you one of them before Christmas, but we just never could sync up until now." John took Dawn's hand in his and looked back and forth between Julie and Tom. "I owe, we owe you both so much for bringing us together."
