This is the first story I've written in awhile. Let me know what you think.
As the owner-operator of a small hobby shop, I've dealt with all kinds of people, and had a lot of experience reading the intentions of my customers. Every so often, however, one manages to surprise me, sometimes in a very pleasant way.
I stocked a full line of sports cards, which attracted all of the younger kids in the area to my store. After school and weekends were always hopping for me, and I got to know a lot of the kids pretty well. There was always this one boy who stayed in the background of his group, never once spending any money. His clothes were always neat and clean, if not a little bit shabby and worn. The only thing I really ever learned was that his name was Gabriel.
One Sunday morning, after the newest basketball cards had come out, I was surprised to see Gabriel come in by himself. He spent a long time standing at the counter, just staring at the hot cards in the cases. I started up a conversation with him, and discovered that he was a very bright young man, and that his mother worked very hard to make sure he had what he needed, but that there was rarely enough for anything fun. Over the next few weeks, he made a habit of coming in early on Sundays, before any of his friends came in, so that we could talk. I eventually offered him a part-time job, doing some light cleaning, card sorting, and things of that nature. He said he'd have to check with his mother first, but she wouldn't get off work until later that day. He promised to bring her in to meet me, so the three of us could discuss his working for me.
After he left, things had gotten pretty busy, and I had actually almost forgotten my job offer to Gabriel, so when he came in just before closing, followed by his mother, I was a bit surprised. Then I got a look at his mother. She couldn't have been much older than 30, if even that old. She was a bit on the heavy side, but that's never bothered me much at all. Some of the best nights (and days) of my life have been spent with larger women. She was very well endowed, and was wearing a waitress uniform that hugged every plush curve of her body. Her skin was pale and creamy, dotted with freckles in all the right places, and she had the reddest hair I'd seen in quite a while.
I welcomed the two of them in, and offered them a seat while I finished up closing the store. Gabriel was practically bouncing in his seat, he was so excited at the prospect of being able to get all the things he'd watched his friend's buy all this time.
I sat across from them, introduced myself to his mother.
"Hi. My name is Eric, and I'd really like to offer Gabriel a job here, helping out."
"I'm Elizabeth Baker. You already know Gabriel. He talks about you all the time, and when he called me to tell me you'd offered him a job, I was pretty surprised. Do you mind if I ask why you're doing this?"
"Honestly, I could really use the help, and having gotten to know so many of the kids in the area, your son is one of the few I think would really take this seriously, and appreciate the opportunity this is. I'm not going to work him into the ground, if that's a concern. My thoughts were that he could work maybe 5-6 hours a week, mostly after school. I can always use help getting things sorted and filed away, and I know Gabriel would do a good job for me. I'd pay him $6.00 an hour, and of course, his school work would have to come first."
I could see the surprise in her eyes when I said how much I'd pay, and even more when I mentioned his schoolwork. She paused a moment to think, and I could almost see the hope fighting with the skepticism.
"I think we can try this for a few weeks, at first. If it's okay with you, I'd like to reserve the right to change my mind on this if his grades start to slip at all. Gabriel is doing very well in school, and I really want him to work hard, to get into a good school later onβ¦"
"I wouldn't have it any other way, Elizabeth. Can he start tomorrow?" I asked.
"Of course. I know how anxious he is for this. Gabriel, say goodnight to Eric, and wait in the car for a minute, would you please? I'd like to have a few words in private with your new boss."
"Sure, Mom. Bye, Eric! See you tomorrow!"
We both laughed as he practically floated out the door, happy as he was.
"Why?"
"Why what? Why offer him a job?"
"Yes. Why do this, when you barely know either of us at all. Why go out of your way to do something like this?"
"Because I really like your son a lot. He's been coming in every Sunday morning for several months, now, and we talk about all kinds of things. Honestly, he's told me a lot about you, and how hard you work just to provide the basics for him. I know he wants to have the money to spend on the stuff I sell, but he also wants to help you, so you don't have to work so hard. You can't tell him I'm telling you this, but he really wants to make enough money to buy you a new TV for your bedroom. He says you never get to watch anything you want to see, since he's always watching the one in the living room."
Her eyes watered a little, and she smiled.
"Your son is a very good young man, and I'd really like to help him out as much as I can, without making him feel like he's getting something for free, or worse, charity. I'm going to make him work, but have fun at the same time."
As a small tear ran down her cheek, she smiled even bigger.
"You are a very good man, Eric. My son is very lucky to have you as a friend."
"I'm the lucky one, Elizabeth. I get to do something good, and not work as hard at the same time. The perfect plan, if you ask me!"
She laughed, and then surprised us both by giving me a big hug. Her breasts pressed into my chest, and reminded me of just how attractive she really was. I put my arms around her, and I could almost feel her relax into it, before she pulled away, wiping her face.
"I need to get him home, so he can do his homework. He'll be here right after school tomorrow, though."
"I'm looking forward to it, Elizabeth."
"Please, my friends call me Beth. I really hate to be called Elizabeth."
"I think I can handle that, Beth. I'll see you again soon?"
"Yeah, I think so, Eric. I think soβ¦"