Rob had been going over financial statements with Edgar for most of the afternoon. Rob enjoyed putting the lessons he remembered from his Accounting 400 course to practical use and Edgar showed him the most important points so that his eyes were beginning to fall quickly to the salient points.
Rob got a lot out of his time assisting Edgar and there were still times when he found it difficult to believe he was getting all this practical experience and networking and getting paid well doing it. Rob enjoyed his time with Edgar. Attending meetings with him, Rob didn't mind helping Edgar with his walker and carrying his papers. Rob especially enjoyed watching as young attorneys and accountants, set low expectations for the old man as they watched him move with difficulty to his place at the meeting room table. They soon learned that his mind and experience in the business world was not dimmed in the least with the toll that aging and the accident had taken on his physical abilities. Edgar was tolerant to a point but in a few instances, the lessons learned by the young, "smartest guy in the room" type were fun to watch.
Rob placed the last file in the cabinet and began to close the wood panels that hid the filing cabinets. Rob had to work the Friday night shift at the hotel this evening and he had hoped he would have time to grab something to eat and maybe even a 30 minute nap.
As he turned back toward the desk Edgar said, "Oh Rob, Penny was wondering if you would be willing to help her with a small reception she is hosting to raise money for an addition at the hospital."
Rob had seen some of the accounting of the wing of the hospital, named in their honor.
Rob knew when the person who employed you made a request like that, the answer was always "yes" but with the Huntingtons, it was never a burden.
Rob smiled and said "Of course, when is the reception and how can I help?"
Edgar paused and smiled as if he knew more details than he was willing to share, but he simply said, "The event is next Saturday evening, here at our place. I'll have Penny give you a call tomorrow and she can give you the specifics."
Edgar couldn't resist adding, as Rob headed for the door, "The guest list includes some pretty generous tippers and some interesting personalities....for a bunch of old ladies."
As Rob was walking to his campus parking spot, he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. Pulling the phone out, he saw "P. Huntington" on the caller ID.
Rob pressed the icon to accept the call, raised the phone to his cheek and said, "Good morning Mrs. Huntington."
"Why good morning Dear, I hope I am not catching you at a bad time," she said.
"No you timing is perfect, I am just finishing with class for the day," Rob answered.
"I understand Edgar mentioned my little fund-raiser this Saturday, are you still open to help?" she asked.
"Of course, Mr. Huntington said he would leave the details to you but I traded shifts at the hotel so I could help," Rob offered.
"Of you are such a dear, thank you very much. I hope you don't mind but you will be the only man there. I need to raise another two million or so for the hospital and a good-looking young bar tender might inspire some of our Ladies Hospital Auxiliary, to write a little larger number on their checks," Penny explained with a laugh.
"Well, since this is all in the interests of medical science, I guess I won't mind being outnumbered for a few hours," Rob said, continuing the joke.
"Yes of course, we must all make some sacrifices," Penny laughed.
"If you don't mind, I will hand the phone over to Andrea, she is doing all the planning. I don't know what I would do without her," Penny exclaimed.
Rob heard the pause and then Andrea's familiar voice came on the line. Since all his meetings with Mr. Huntington were arranged by Andrea, they had become very familiar. Rob enjoyed working with her not only because she was pleasant but because everything always went so smoothly when she was involved.
"Hi Rob, how was class today?" she asked. Andrea seemed to know his class schedule better than he did at times.
"It was fine Andrea, no reading assignment this week so I can use the extra time to finish my paper for ECON 503," Rob replied.
Andrea continued, "The event is this Saturday as you know. If you could arrive at 7;30, that would give you time to set up the bar as you like. We expect mostly wine drinkers but I have placed an order that should allow you to handle most requests for mixed drinks."
As she paused, Rob said, "I'm sure we can keep everyone happy."
Andrea paused and then asked, "I do have one favor to ask, the event has a construction theme for obvious reasons so I wondered if you might wear something consistent to the theme."
Rob paused for a moment, thinking to his closet. "I'd be happy to, but the work clothes I have are from my summer construction job, and if I wear those, the security guard probably wouldn't let me near the elevator."
Andrea laughed and said, "Don't worry, I will take care of all that, just text me your sizes, including shoe size."
Before she hung up, Andrea added, "Mrs. Huntington wanted for me to apologize in advance, for some of the ladies. Most of the ladies are....mature.....but when they get away from their husbands, some of them revert back to their college sorority days."
Rob laughed and said, "Thank you for the warning, I'll make sure, I always have a path to a clear exit," he said with feigned caution.
Andrea laughed and closed with, "I'll see you Saturday evening, just dress casual and I will have everything ready and you can change here."
The rest of the week was busy with school and an extra shift Thursday night in trade for his Saturday shift. Rob hated to give up the Saturday shift with its usual good tips but he appreciated everything the Huntington's had done for him.
Stepping off the elevator at the Huntington's floor, Rob was surprised to see a bright yellow "Construction Zone" sign and yellow "Caution" tape strung up across the hallway leading to the door but then he remembered Andrea's explanation of the event theme. After his knock, the door opened. He was surprised to see Andrea, usually dressed impeccably in a professional style, standing at the door in blue denim overalls, a bright orange T shirt and a white painter's hat.
Andrea returned Rob's smile she said, "Please come in. I think we're all set, the caterers are just leaving."
Rob looked around the spacious, now-familiar living room and saw two large easels with large colored architectural drawings of the new proposed addition to the hospital. On tables along the window were a series of displays for a silent auction with eye-catching props to encourage bidders with bid sheets and pens at the ready.
Rob followed Andrea to the far wall closets to the dining room where three caterers were arranging, a buffet of light hors-d'oeuvres. To the left, Rob saw the Huntington's small bar with a large "Caution Men Working" sign. Rob laughed when he noticed the "e" crossed out and replaced by an "a."
As he examined the now well-stocked bar, Rob saw Penny, walk briskly into the room, dressed in a dark blue suit, checking the buffet and then looked up to see Rob and Andrea.
"What do you think Rob?" she asked.
"With decorations like this, you'll raise all the money you need," he said looking around the room.
Penny, grabbed his arm, pulling it against her ample breasts and said, "I hope so but, having you here will tilt the odds in our favor. Most of these gals will do anything for the attention of a young man like yourself."
Andrea returned and said, "Rob, I have your things laid out in the guest room. You will have just enough time to change before the first ladies arrive."
Rob followed Andrea to the end of the hall. As she opened the door and turned on the light, he saw new clothes laid out on the bed.
"You can leave your things here and there is a private bathroom if you need to freshen up," she added as she stepped back into the hallway and closed the door.
Rob saw a pair of expensive ankle-height RedWing work boots with a pair of thick cotton socks laid across the tops. On the bed was a pair of Carhartt cargo shorts with a belt and a bright green hi-vis vest. Rob looked but there was no T shirt. He remembered Penny's comment about the event and he was comfortable with his physique from his almost daily trips to the gym at the student center.
He removed the jeans he was wearing and when he picked up the shorts, he noticed a black, jock-strap laid out underneath.
Rob smiled, wondering if this was Penny's work or Andrea's.
Rob stripped off his briefs and stepped onto the black straps. As he pulled the elastic up, over his hips he noticed the size was an inch smaller than the waist measurement he had provided. Being familiar with Andrea's work by now, Rob knew that this was not an oversight. Rob felt a small rush as he arranged the small pouch to contain himself as best he could.
As he finished changing he noticed a tool belt on the post at the foot of the bed frame. It had a framing hammer and a tape measure in the correct place so he put it on, low over one hip, like he was familiar with from his summers on a construction site. He flushed though as he imagined what his summer co-workers would say if they saw him right now.
Although the boots were a little stiff, the thick socks helped and he walked back to the living room.
Rob began to set up the bar to his preference to begin the night's work. As he worked, Andrea approached and said softly, "I hope you don't mind the outfit. I bought a T shirt but Penny, thought the event might be a bigger success without it."
Rob smiled and said, "I don't mind, who can say "no" to her?"
Andrea smiled and then added, with a smile, "I hope I got all the sizes correct."
Confirming his suspicions that there was a side of Andrea he had not seen before he said, "The sizes are perfect.....almost."
Andrea turned and walked away maintaining her smile.
Rob busied himself with the bar and then noticed Penny standing a few feet away watching him.
As he turned to her, she smiled and said, "Andrea was right. That outfit is good for at least another 10% over goal. I only made one small modification."
