This story goes along with my theme as the bus driver. The events of this story just like any of the others are a fantasy. Parts of the story may be true but most of it is fiction. In this story the characters meet years prior. It isn't until the character is in college and over 18 that things change. No minors mentioned are ever witnesses to or subjects of acts any actions. Minors are for story line and subject purposes and in no way, shape, or form are involved in any adult activity.
So, if you have or haven't read my other stories, my name is John Stempkinovich I'm a school bus driver. I generally take the same route every year that I can. I drove a route for several years that first picked up high school and then middle school in the neighborhood and I had the route for six years.
It is interesting to watch how much kids change physically and see the growth of maturity. They're not only smarter but taller at the end of the year. The physical changes also start to show. I'll let your imagination determine what changes those might be.
One such student was Megan. Megan stood out among others. She had a captivating smile, was about average build being about 4'8" and 95-100 pounds, and had long straight red hair. She was hard to not miss. Over the years she grew taller. I'm sure boys her age recognized her development too.
Fast forward six years and the same bunch of kids are all now a Seniors. Since Seniors are able to drive I don't see any of them anymore. I really never saw Megan after the last day of school of her Junior Year. She had grown to about 5'8"'by then. Was still skinny and her chest had grown out a bit. That's what usually happens since Seniors are permitted to drive to school. Then once they graduate most move out of town for college. You don't even see them around town.
It had been two years since Megan graduated and she would now be Freshman in college, assuming she went to college. I walked into a print/scan/copy store to print something and get some supplies. I see what looks like Megan behind the counter while I use the self service copier/printer. I could see her looking at me. I was positive it was her but I have always told myself to not engage unless they do. As I finished up and turned around she looked at me. Although her height remained the same it was clear that her chest had caught up and was now bigger and she looked to be about 135-140 pounds. She for sure kept herself in shape.
Megan said, "Aren't you a bus driver? You were my bus driver for years."
"You're Mr. John, right?" she then asked.
"Yes, that's me!" I said.
"You're Megan, right?" I asked her.
"Yes!" she said. "You were our favorite bus driver!"
"You should have graduated by now. Did you go to College?", I asked.
"I did! I'm going to college locally. I'm looking to major in education. I'm thinking of elementary but I also like music so I'm still deciding if I want to teach core subjects or music," she said.
"What about you?" she asked.
"Good for you, I'm still driving and I started a business. It's going well," I said.
She then asked, "How's your daughter?"
"She is doing well too," I answered.
"I remember that you had her picture up in your bus. She had red hair like me, right?" she asked.
"Yes, she still has her red curly hair. In fact, all my kids have reddish hair," I replied.
"Do you remember when I dyed my hair black and you yelled at me for it?" she asked. "You said I ruined my hair, do you remember telling me that?"
"I do remember that!" I replied.
"Would you believe I just had the last of the black finally stop showing?" she asked.
"I can," I said. "That's what I meant about ruining it for some time."
She laughed.
"I have a few things I need to get. I don't want to keep you from working either. It was nice to see you!" I said.
"Nice to see you again too!" she said as I turned away.
I got the items I also needed and I was walking back to the front to pay for my items.
"Hey, Mr. John, do you remember Sara and Rachel too?", she asked.
"I do," I replied.
"Do you still talk to them too?", I then asked.
"As a matter of fact I do. They're both in the area. They each have an apartment and are working here in town. I just sent a message to Sara to tell her that I saw you! She sent back right away to tell you she said hello," she said.
"Tell her I said hello back," I said.
"Well, like I said, it was nice to see you again. I need to leave." I said as I walked to the cashier.
Megan said, "The same here!"
I doubted l would run into her again. However, a few weeks later on a Friday evening I needed to head to the store and low and behold she was working. As I was walking into the store I got a call from my wife Julie.
When I answered, Julie said, "You're Not gilling to believe this! Briana just sent me a text needs to give Ray a ride out of state tomorrow and she can't watch the kids."
To fill you in, Ray is Briana's "Boyfriend". They kinda date and kinda Friends with Benefits. Briana won't leave him because he doesn't have any family and is mostly a recluse except for going to work. She feels bad for him. He knows it and abuses her for it.
As for Julie and Briana, they have been friends since they were kids. They call and/or text each other daily. The advantage is we don't need to pay her. However, she often isn't reliable. She gets the kids Christmas presents and despite living 15 minutes away from us doesn't bring them over until four plus months later.
"What the heck! We asked her months ago when we started planning this!" I said. "We even said it would be a good opportunity to bring the kids their Christmas gifts!"
"I know right! I bet Ray has no clue we even asked her to watch them three months ago. What do you want to do?" she asked.
I replied, "I don't know. I'm just walking into the store. I'll call you when I'm done."
"Ok," she replied.
I entered into the store and started shopping for what I needed. As I walked back to the front I was surprised to see that Megan was working.
At about the same time we both said, "Hello!"
She looked busy and I was about to head to the cashier when our previous conversation a few weeks ago about her in college to become a teacher and after just hearing news our babysitter backed out last minute it gave me an idea.
"What are the odds that she has watched kids before? What are the odds she is free on such short notice? You don't know unless you ask?" I thought.
So, I waited for her to finish what she was working on. I had turned around and was leaning on the counter waiting. She snuck up behind me.
"Hey Mr. John, how are you?" I heard her ask.
I turned around to face her.
"I'm great Megan," I said as I set my planned purchases down.
"How are you?" I asked.
"I'm great! Things are still well," she said.
"Good to hear," I said. "I have a question to ask you."
"Sure. What is it?" she asked.
"I'm wondering if you babysit? My wife and I had plans to go out tomorrow night. As I was walking in here I found out our sitter we had lined up backed out. I wouldn't have normally thought to ask you. I didn't even think of it until now. Would you be able to tomorrow?" I asked.
She thought for a moment and then said, "Actually, I am free tomorrow."
"How many kids do you have now?" she asked.
"I have Three. Two girls and a boy," I answered.
"Oh my gosh, I would love to! What time?" she asked.
"We have dinner reservations at 5:30 and we have a show to see at 7:30. I believe it is a two and a half hour show. I'm figuring we should be home by 11:00. So figure 5:00 until 11:00. Unless you want to head over a bit earlier and meet everyone while my wife and I are still home," I said.
"That's not a bad idea," she said. "I'll plan to be there at about 3:30. This way you can get ready and not have to worry about what the kids are doing. It will also give time get all the information I may need for emergencies and stuff."
"That will work," I said.
"What's your number?" I asked. "I'll text you the address."
She gave me her number and I called her so she would have my number.
"Bring your bathing suit, " I said. "The pool is open. For dinner, we will order a pizza and have it delivered."
"That works for me!" she said.
"I can't thank you enough for agreeing on such short notice," I said as I waved goodbye.
"Not a problem! I'm glad I can help out. I'll see you tomorrow!" she said as she waved.
I went up front and paid for what I was there for and then walked out of the store. I got in the car and called my wife.
"You won't believe this. I found someone to watch the girls tomorrow!" I said when she answered.
She replied, "Really, you found a stranger to watch our children?"
"No, not really. She used to be one of the girls I drove for 5 years. She graduated last year, and is now a freshman in college majoring in education. Her name is Megan and is a really nice young girl. I told her to be at our house for 5:00. When I suggested she may want to get there earlier to meet you and the kids she said she would be there for 3:30. She would watch them while we got ready," I told her and that put her at ease.
I sent Megan a text with our address. I followed it up with another text message that said, "See tomorrow afternoon about 3:30!"
Megan replied, "Got it! Thanks, I'll see you then."
We carried on with our Saturday as usual. We ran some errands, took the kids to practice in the morning, and chilled by the pool in the afternoon. I got out of the pool a few minutes before Megan was to arrive so I could greet her. Megan showed up right on time. She had on light colored denim shorts that barely covered butt cheeks, a green spaghetti strap tank top with green bra straps showing, and matching green low cut converse sneakers. She had a small bag which I assumed had her swimsuit and towel.