Free-Use: Hospitality, Part 1
"Alexis?" the young woman asked, she was sitting behind a house, trying to stay close to the dryer vent that was spewing warm air.
"Yeah... who's this?" Alexis asked, confused. She didn't recognize the voice or the number on her caller ID.
"It's Megan... Megan Brooks," she said. "Remember me? From school?"
"Megan!" Alexis said excitedly. "Oh my gosh! I haven't heard from you in years. How are you?"
"I'm doing ok," the young, petite woman lied. She wasn't doing well at all, but didn't need to start the conversation out like that. Besides, she was pretty sure Alexis was doing really well and didn't need her problems.
"That's great! Where are you now? Did you go to college?"
"Oh... no... I'm still around home," Megan said, shivering a little in the cold air. It was December and the weather was starting to turn colder. For the next few nights, in fact, the weather service said that the temperatures were going to be in the single digits... and not much warmer during the daytime. "I never went to college."
"Oh, that's a shame," Alexis said. "I was sure you were going to be a vet or something. You loved working with animals so much."
"Yeah, maybe some day still. I just can't afford it right now."
"How are your parents?"
"Fighting, as usual," she said. It was pretty common knowledge with Megan's friends that her parents were alcoholics and who argued almost constantly. Even when she was in school, Megan tried her best to stay away from home as much as possible, watching the afterschool sports programs as much as she could.
"Are you still living there?"
"No... I... I left," Megan said. "I couldn't take it any more."
"Did you get an apartment or something?"
"Yeah, kinda. I moved in with my boyfriend at first, but that... unfortunately that didn't work out. I'm looking for somewhere else now."
"Where are you staying now?" Alexis asked, sounding concerned. She'd known Megan since they were in fourth grade. They were really good friends, although as they grew older, issues developed between them. For one, Megan's breasts developed far faster than all her other friends and she always seemed to steal her boyfriend's attention. It was a very difficult time. By the time they graduated and Alexis went to college, they'd stopped talking and over the next three years became estranged.
"Well, I've been staying with a few friends... and on the street when I have to," Megan admitted. "I was staying with Sydney Cole for the last few days. Do you remember her?"
"Yeah, I remember Sydney," Alexis said.
"She and her boyfriend got an apartment in town. They let me stay in their spare room."
"You said you were staying with them... something happen?"
"Yeah... she, uh... she thought I was flirting with her boyfriend and kicked me out. I swear I wasn't," Megan said, desperately wanting Alexis to believe her. "I don't do that. I really don't."
Alexis paused for a moment, remembering the times she accused Megan of exactly the same thing. She knew it wasn't hard for people to think she was flirting. She was barely five foot tall and a hundred pounds. So her large, D-cup breasts were extremely prominent. She just looked like sex on two legs.
"I'm sorry to hear that," Alexis said. "It's gotta be hard."
"Well... I don't want to keep you," Megan said, almost in tears because of her dire straights. She didn't want to burst out crying in front of Alexis. "I was just wondering... your mom and dad still live here, right?"
"Yeah, they're still in the same house."
"Do you think, you know, since you're not living there and all... do you think I could stay in your room? I mean, it's supposed to be getting really cold for the next few days. I really need a place to stay."
"Yeah, I think you'd be able to stay there, probably as long as you want even." Alexis remembered how much her dad was even drooling over Megan and her killer body. She was pretty sure he'd approve of her living under his roof. "Why don't I call my Dad and see what he says and I'll call you back."
"Oh... you're a life-saver Alexis!" Megan said, starting to cry. "Thank you so much!"
"Yeah, of course! I'll call you back soon."
Megan waited only ten minutes before Alexis called her back. The dryer had stopped in the meantime and the heated air was no longer keeping her warm. She still sat by the vent, her knees in her chest, her arms wrapped around her legs to keep her legs warm.
"Hey Alexis," she said.
"Hey. I just talked to my Dad and he said he was fine with you moving in," Alexis said.
"Oh my gosh! Thank you so much! I really needed this."
"Oh, you're welcome," Alexis said. "Just to warn you, though, he said that he and my Mom implemented some sort of house rule that you'll be required to follow. I don't exactly know what it's all about, but I'm sure he'll bring it up."
Thoughts swirled through Megan's mind about what the rule could be... maybe about not inviting boys in... maybe no alcohol. All she knew was that, no matter what the rule was, she could live with it for a little while.
"I'm sure it'll be fine," Megan said.
"Ok, then. They're expecting you at any time," Alexis said. "Take care of yourself, ok?"
"I will!" Megan smiled. "Thank you so much!"
*****
It took about thirty minutes for Megan to walk to Alexis' home, carrying her medium sized, blue suitcase. It held just about everything she truly owned and needed. She walked up the driveway, still shivering, her feet starting to get a little numb.
She knocked on the side door, the one she always used when she was growing up. In seconds, the door opened and Mr. Stanley stood before her. He stood aside and invited her in.
"Hi Megan! Hi! Please, please," he said. "Here, let me take that," he said, taking her suitcase from her hand and setting it aside. Megan walked up the two steps into the kitchen with Mr. Stanley walking behind her.