I retrieved my skimpy apron and sheepishly started tying it around my waist and turned to walk to the door.
Miss Smith stopped me by saying, "David you can't answer the door like that, you'll be arrested for sure. Here slip these on."
She handed me an old pair of gym shorts to put on and I jumped into them in a flash.
I looked through the peephole and felt an overwhelming sense of relief. It was Jim. One of my roommates had come to rescue me, thank god! I quickly opened the door and grabbed Jim and was holding on for dear life.
"Jim, Jim, Jim I've never been so happy to see anyone in my life," I repeated.
"Dude what the hell?" Jim laughed.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you what's been happening toββββ-," I started to say but was interpreted by Miss Smith.
"Well, well you must be a member of the mischievous group playing pranks on helpless old women last evening?" Miss Smith questioned.
Jim, taken aback by her frankness stuttered, "I...ah...We...ah...it was all in good college horseplay, Miss Smith, we meant nothing by it. We were just drunk out of our minds and things got a bit out of hand, that's all. No harm, no foul, right?"
"I see you meant no harm by leaving a naked 18 year old boy tied to my front porch for all my neighbors to see first thing when the sun came up? You left a naked boy for me to discover when I opened my door. You were drunk on school property, disturbing the peace and committing the crime of public intoxication and public indecency." Miss Smith uttered.
Both Jim and I were shocked and speechless at what had just come out of her mouth. We never considered any of our actions that serious. We were just kidding around. Not intentionally breaking several laws.
"Miss Smith," Jim said, "We're just stupid college kids doing what college kids do, having a good time."
"Well your 'good times' have affected more than just yourselves and you should have taken that into consideration before committing your deeds." Miss Smith stated.
Jim hung his head and quietly said, "We're so very sorry if any of out stunts caused you any pain or cause for concern. I apologize for myself and all our friends who were involved in this. If there's anything we can do to make up for our mistakes please feel free to ask?"
David's eyes popped wide open and darted directly at Jim. He had no idea what he was saying. He couldn't say "anything we can do" to her. No, no no!
"Thank you Jim, I appreciate your humbling offer. It seems heartfelt. I believe you will make amends, in fact I know you will." Miss Smith said. "And to make sure you follow through on your promise, I'm prepared to turn all of you over to the local police for prosecution on all yor crimes."
"What do you mean, you wouldn't do that," Jim said looking at her and then David.
"David, explain to Jim that I don't make statements without backing them up," she said.
"Jim she means EVERY word of what she said, she'll do it, I know," David nervously said.
"Fuck, this is ridiculouse I don't believe a word of this bull shit," Jim barked.
"Jim please remember this college town is a small community and not much happens with the students that doesn't spread especially within the faculty. I know for a fact that you're on probation this semester and if you so much as cross your eyes at the wrong person you will be out of this school forever." Miss Smith stated.
Jim looked at David for some kind of help with no response. He knew all of what she had said was true but no one was supposed to know with the exception of his parents and Dean Thompson.
"Now you boys run along and try to get some rest,you'll need it for tomorrow," she said.
"What do you mean tomorrow?" David quipped.
"You remember one of my guests today, Mrs Stevenson, don't you David?" Miss Smith asked.
"Oh I definitely remember her, why?" David asked.
"It seems she's having a rather large function tomorrow and is going to need some young muscle to assist her. I think you two would be exactly what she's looking for." Miss Smith answered.
"Oh god noooooo, please no can't she get some other guys to help her out?" David pleaded.
Jim spoke up and said, "Wait if we do this favor for you tomorrow then we'll be off the hook with you right?"
" Well Jim we will just have to see how well tomorrow goes won't we," she responded. "If you two do a good enough job then I don't see why things wouldn't work out for the better."
"Be at this address tomorrow at 2 p.m. and dress casual, your uniforms will be furnished," she added.
David cringed when he heard the last part about the uniforms being furnished and thought, oh fuck no, not again!
At 2 p.m. the two boys appeared at the address Miss Smith had given them. Mrs Stevenson opened the door with a broad smile and welcomed the two inside. "This must be Jim, hello I'm Mrs Stevenson it's nice to see you. And David its so nice to have you here in my home," she said.
"Please follow me and I'll catch you up on what's happening and what you'll be doing today," she said walking into her kitchen.
"Here are the sandwiches, assorted snacks and bottles of wine for my function," she said. "If you have any questions about serving Jim feel free to ask David, he did an excellent job yesterday."
Jim looked at David with a confused quizzical face.
After leaving Miss Smith's home yesterday the boys didn't discuss anything about what had happened to David that day or what was going to happen to them the next day. Jim couldn't get over Miss Smith knowing about his probation and her threats to use that information. David was still in somewhat of a daze from his experience at the bridge game, it didn't seem possible it had happened.
"Ok boys, twice a month I host a group of women. At the end of the meeting we determine what subject matter we'll be going over at the next meeting. That gives the women time to familiarize themselves with the subject matter. Then we meet and everyone gives their opinions, concerns and or questions." Mrs Stevenson said.
"This meeting's subject matter is art from the Roman Greek culture. We'll be covering many different art forms," she said.
"Now let's get you boys in your appropriate outfits for today's function," Mrs Stevenson said as she led us to a small room off the kitchen.