Hi! my name is Cindi Carlson. I am 36 years old, reddish curly hair, only 5' 1", with nice 34C breasts. I have been divorced for 3 years now. My 18-year-old son Jed lives with me. He just finished high school and has a nice football scholarship for a state college in the fall. Each summer he lives 300 miles away with his father. I live on the outskirts of town in a nice house with a small pool on 3 acres. Fortunately, I do not have to work and live comfortably. I have seldom dated since my divorce.
Today I receive a call from Jed. After catching up on everything, he mentions his friend Damon who is also 18.
Jed says, "Hey, Mom. I spoke with Damon today. He lost his summer job and only has a small part time job now. His mother only has a maid job and without a father, things are really tight for them. If you hear of anything maybe you could call him. He has a smaller football scholarship and will have to work some also."
I say, "I will keep my ears open. Maybe I can have him do a few things around here, I will think about it and call him."
I remember Damon as one of Jed's high school friends. He is black and seems to be well mannered for a teenager. They played football together in high school but didn't seem to be best friends. His father has left home, leaving Damon and his mother alone. I start thinking of different things around my house I can use Damon's help with.
After making a list I call him. When Damon answers, I ask, "Damon, would you be available to do some work?"
Damon answers, "That sounds good. I can start tomorrow morning if you wish."
Assuming he will be here early, I am up and ready by 8 AM. Finally, he arrives at 11 AM. Damon is a little unkempt but has clean but well-worn clothes on.
He apologizes for being so late saying, "Three miles is a long walk."
I ask him, "Have you had breakfast yet?"
Damon answers, "No, Mrs. Carlson."
I fix some eggs and bacon for him as we discuss what all I would like him to do. As we talk, I can tell that he seems a little discouraged.
I ask, "Is there anything wrong in your life?"
Damon says, "Mrs. Carlson, I don't know what to think of my future. We have nothing at home, and I never see my father. I did okay in school and managed to get this scholarship that pays most of the expense, but I don't know if I can pay the rest. I don't have any nice clothes to wear and don't have the confidence that I can do it. I see my mother working hard for so little and I'm afraid that I will end up just like her."
I look at Damon with his disheartened attitude for a few minutes.
I say, "Damon, we are going to change all of that starting today, I raised my son up to be full of confidence. You are going to be also. That is the whole secret to succeeding in life. Look me straight in the eyes. Now tell me if you are ready to succeed in life. Are you ready to believe in yourself?"
He answers, "I really want to Mrs. Carlson. I do appreciate you trying to help me."
I say, "First, call me Cindi. We have to get you ready for college. That is where your future lies. Your first priority is to make the college football team. You are going to have to bulk up and eat right. Are you really ready to become your best? My son is ready to become an adult. Are you? If you are committed to doing that, I will help you."
Damon answers, "Mrs. Carlson, uhm Cindi, would you help me with that? I will try my best to do as you say."
I smile at him and say, "This is going to be a big challenge. First, we are going to town. I will buy you two nice outfits to wear. You will need some gym shorts. Your tennis shoes will have to work for a couple of weeks. You also will get a short haircut. Then I will deduct some from your paycheck every week to cover all of that. Are you okay with all of that?"
He answers, "All except I'm not sure about the haircut. I've had my locks for a long time. It's a part of me."
I say, "It is all or nothing. Are you ready to become an adult?"
When we get back from town, I am amazed how different Damon looks. His gym shorts, new t-shirt, and short hair are quite a change. I take a picture of him with my phone, and I put him to work mowing the grass and trimming bushes. I write up his work lists for the next few days. At 1:30 PM I have him take a break for lunch and show him the lists. Damon is not sure about the repairs, painting, and cleaning the pool as he has never learned it. I assure him that he will learn that along with more things.
At 3:30 PM I stop him and say, "Jed has some good workout equipment in the garage. I want you to lift weights for a full hour." He comes back in after the hour workout.
I tell Damon, "You are done for the day, but you have to run as far back to your home as possible. In the morning I want you to run as far here as possible and to be here by 8 AM. You have to do this every day until you can run the full 3 miles."
Damon arrives at 8 AM out of breath. He has run half the way. I have a big breakfast ready for him which he devours. I can already see improvement in his attitude. After his breakfast, I show him his projects for the day.
I say, " Take your time and do everything right. You do not have to rush thru the work. Just be proud of what you do,"
At his break at 1 PM, he is very proud of his work. I compliment him and say that I will have more projects for him.
I also tell him, "Get back to lifting weights at 3:30. When you finish your workout, keep up the running for home and back."
After a few days, I am out of projects. I mention the project to my neighbors and soon there is plenty of work for Damon. He is running the full three miles each way and has increased his bulk with the weights. He also has a little spending money now and uses it for clothes. I take another picture and show him the difference. I can see the pride in his eyes.
The next day I tell Damon, "Your project for today is to learn better manners."
We discuss his way of speech and table manners. We cover how to have conversations and even what women like to hear.
I tell Damon, "Take your girlfriend on a date now and try out what you have learned."
As we are having lunch the next day the florist arrives with roses for me. I wonder whom the flowers are from and then see a little grin on Damon's face.
I say, "Damon! From you? Why? You shouldn't spend your hard-earned money this way."
He answers, "Well, you are my favorite girl. Look how much you have done for me. Next, I would like you to teach me how to dance. Not the way kids dance now but the old way. Like when the man holds the woman."
I smile at him saying, "You have matured a lot. That would be a great finish to getting you ready for school."