19
We awaken to the sound of my cell phone.
They closed on a 2-story fixer upper.
I text Ben: I have a house to renovate, 437 River Street. Please meet me.
Reply: pick me up after class, or should I take the bus.
I text Ben: Get an uber I'll pay.
Chantelle and I go for a leisurely breakfast then to the house to begin restoration plans.
We're slowly making our way through the gorgeous Victorian home, compiling 2 lists of requirements; structural, and cosmetic.
Ben arrives, he hollers.
"Hey Dad, I'm here."
We meet him in the front foyer.
"Ben, this is my girlfriend, Chantelle. Chantelle, my son Ben." They nod and shake hands.
"I paid the uber. You owe me $12."
"Don't you own a car, Ben?" Chantelle asks.
"No, I walk to school, bus sometimes when the weather's inclement; it's ok, it's not as bad as dad had it when he was young." Ben chuckles.
"It's only uphill one way, and I guess we don't get as much snow these days." He taps Brian on the shoulder. It's obvious they have a great relationship.
"I plan my dates around mom's schedule and use her car. I'm hoping to make enough money this summer to buy a reliable one."
As we wander through carefully inspecting everything.
"Well, it's mostly cosmetic Ben, you interested in working the majority of your summer here."
"Dad, restoring old houses is awesome. I'm in."
"I bought it under the new company, 'BenBri Homes'. I'd like you to become my partner."
Ben smiles and nods, looks like he's fighting back tears, as they do the quick man hug, with a fist bump on each other's back.
"This became possible because of a loan from Chantelle's company."
Ben and Chantelle seem to be getting along well; I wouldn't expect any less, they're both very sociable. Whenever I'm preoccupied in thought, or writing, their chatting about life. I always envied people who could multitask like that; being able to flip a switch back and forth, being 100% focused on more than 1 thing.
We meander through discussing options, sharing ideas; after a couple hours, we pretty much settle on a plan.
"Will you join us for supper tonight, Ben?" Chantelle asks.
"Sure, I'll text mom."
On route to Chantelle's, I ask.
"How's things going with you and Maureen, Ben?"
"Getting serious Dad, I'm pretty sure she's the one; we're so happy being together all the time. That's gonna be the biggest change come summer, not being with her every day."
"Well, maybe you can, if she wants to work, we'll have plenty of cleaning, painting, lots of stuff she could do, working with us on the house."
"I'm done exams Wednesday, she's done tomorrow, Grad is on Thursday."
"Great, I'm staying at Chantelle's now, so you have a choice where to sleep, your mom's or my apartment."
"Mom and Cassie aren't getting along; it's really bad these last couple days, fighting all the time; your name has come up often; I think I'd like to move out."
"Guess we might be to blame for that." I look at Chantelle we exchange knowing smiles.
"Ya we recently crossed paths; Sharon expressed an interest in us hooking up, I refused, Cassie got jealous." I embrace and kiss Chantelle.
"We're serious about exploring our relationship."
Chantelle gets a text. She sighs.
"Cliff saw the Dr. it's not his, he broke up with Becky and needs a place to stay."
"I'll get him a hotel room, and sort this out tomorrow."
Chantelle true to her word, she books a hotel room and texts him back.
I pull in the drive, pushing the remote, opening the garage.
"Wow, who's vehicles?"
"There mine Ben, you're welcome to use the Jeep, Brian's claimed the 'Vette, when not needing his truck; the Benz convertible is my favorite, the Mustang was Cliff's."
"Really, for real, I can drive it?" I nod, he's got a huge smile.
"So cool." Ben jumps in.
"Wow."
We enter the house, Chantelle takes Ben's hand, leads him to the back patio doors.
"Ben, the pool house is there, that's another option, to stay." Chantelle points.
"It's yours, if you'd prefer it over the apartment, you can eat with us, commute together. If your dad agrees, I'm ok if you have sleepover guests; maybe Maureen."
She gives me a very seductive smile.
"Your dad makes too much noise at night; you wouldn't get enough sleep in here." She chuckles hugging my arm, peering up at me mischievously.
"Well; I will admit we're generally loud, and I might be to blame occasionally, but I assure you Ben, it's not my voice that generally pierces the night air." I spank Chantelle's backside, as we all chuckle.
"Go check it out," Chantelle taps the back of his shoulder, "what would you like tonight; pizza, Greek or Thai?"
"Thai please." He says as he jogs across the deck.
Ben returns shortly.
"Wow, that's so cool, a mini home, and i can eat with you guys, i don't have to cook?"
"I'll be hiring a cook, and a maid. So, it'll be like a free hotel."
Chantelle tosses a set of keys to Ben.
"Take the Jeep, go get Maureen, I'd love to meet her."
"She'll be studying, she's adamant about graduating with straight A's."
"Ben, she has to eat, and it doesn't have to be all night, at least text and ask her to join us for Thai."
Ben takes out his phone. texts her.
"Ok, but only for an hour she says." He leaves.
They're back before the food arrives.
Maureen bounces in, giggling about something, a beaming smile, her blushing, dimpled cheeks, eyes sparkling.
Imagine going through a Hollywood celebrity magazine and putting together a person choosing the best, most stunning, alluring parts.
Start with Marilyn Monroe's body, add longer, thick, wavy blonde hair, down to the lower part of her back. A rounder face, much like Selena Gomez, dimples on full cheeks, tiny, upturned nose, full sensuous lips. Large, Miley Cyrus, bright blue eyes. A natural, no make-up style wholesome gal.
Add a vivacious, charismatic, bubbly personality. Humble, friendly, extremely intelligent, and very caring. That is a quick description of Maureen.
I'm astounded, standing beside each other, the similarities; she could easily be Chantelle's daughter, or younger sister.
She has on a pair of tight, red gym shorts and a white and red striped cotton halter top; she opens her arms for a hug.