I was getting ready for the return of my son, from college for the summer, I hadn't seen him in such a while, I really was looking forward to it, although he would only be home for 4 days, before he was off again to Munich, where he was meeting a friend who came from there, and is with Geoff at his college, he was going to be away for about 3 weeks, maybe a little longer.
He was arriving around Saturday lunchtime, and his dad Walt, was going to the Middle East for approximately one month with his work, on the following Monday, So he would only see Geoff for a couple of days himself, good organising hey?
But Geoff would be here with me for the rest of the summer holiday, so I had to be happy for a small mercy.
That night he called to confirm he would be home as promised, but that he had a request to ask of his dad and me, I asked him what it was, I hoped it wasn't more money; it was a stretch to keep him in college as it was.
'No,' he replied down the line, 'it would be to your benefit,' he said, if we were to do as he asked of us. 'Lovely,' I said to myself, that makes a change, 'okay, I said, what is it?'
He said that a good friend of his at college, had had his plans changed for going home to his parents, because they were having to fly half way around the world at a moments notice, he would have to stay in the college for all of the holiday, as he couldn't go home for the 10 weeks and be there alone.
'What's that got to do with me, and your dad?' I said to him. 'Well, I told him, that I would ask you both, if he could come and stay with us, I'll only be gone 3 weeks,' Geoff said.
'You've got to be kidding haven't you Geoff?' I asked incredulously. 'You'll be away, and you know your dads going away, I would be here with him by myself, and I don't even know him!'
'But mum, you wouldn't even know he was there, I promise you, he is a real bookworm, we call him the ghost, because we only see him drifting in and out of the library.' He laughed. 'He spends all of his time studying, and he also has the highest grades in school.' He said. 'I don't know honey,' I told him. 'I'll have to talk to your dad, but my feeling is its going to be a no, I'm sorry love.'
He said. Mum please, he really will be all on his own, and he is a good friend to me, he helps me with my work, and if it wasn't for him, my own grades would be lower too.'
'I'll talk to your dad, okay?' I told him. 'Yes mum, I'll call you later tonight, I love you mum.' 'I love you too baby.' I said, and put down the phone.
I talked to Walt when he came home, about request. He said he was fine with the request from Geoff, he told me it would be a bit of a relief to him, because there would be someone in the house, and I wouldn't be alone.
I wasn't really happy about it, and tried to think of a way to say no, but that decision was taken out of my hands by Geoff's dad, he answered the phone when it rang, they discussed it, Walt told Geoff, he was okay with it, because mum would be safe, I heard him say.
But, your mum said something, about it being beneficial to us, you know its tight for us to keep you in college, and putting someone up for 8 weeks isn't cheap you know.
I know, he told his dad, and his parents were quite prepared to pay you £100 a week for him, if that's acceptable.
'Wow,' said his dad, 'yes okay, that's fine, I'll have another chat with your mum, and call you back in 15 minutes to say, yea or nay okay?'
'Yes dad,' he said, 'and thanks dad by the way, I've met his parents and they are really nice, Nigel is a credit to them.' 'That was my next question,' his dad said, 'his name, okay; I'll get back to you ASAP.' 'Jenny,' he said to me,' it sounds a good deal, not only from my point of view of being away, but the money is extraordinary too.' 'Okay, I'll do it,' I said, 'but under a bit of a protest!' with a sigh in my voice.
Walt and I have been married for nigh on 20 years, we have a good life, and like many other couple's, we have worked hard for what we have, Geoff is our only son, I wasn't able to have any more after he was born, so we were more than grateful for him.
Walt has often had to work away, it's the only way to earn a real wage he would say to me, I was lonely sometimes, and even had an affair at a low time in my life, but it didn't last long, I wasn't happy with myself.
Me? I'm Jennifer Atkins, Jenny to my husband and friends, Im 39, 5'7" or so, keep myself trim, I work out, go to a gym once a week to top up my efforts at home, I have a good figure, nice boobs, waist, and hips, my body is symmetrical to each of the other bits, long legs, small feet, and am happy with the way I look.
My hair is dirty blond, naturally slightly wavy, down to my shoulders, but I highlight it too, just to make me look a bit younger, I have a nice, pretty face, and when I make the effort, I scrub up pretty well! Walt tells me.
So Saturday arrived, and I was looking out of the window constantly, wanting Geoff to appear, so I could rush out to meet him.
I missed him, didn't I? He arrived early, and I was in the damn kitchen, when I heard the door open, there was my son, my lovely son.
I charged at him, his dad got right out of the way, to avoid being knocked over, Geoff picked me up, whirled me around, and I kissed him, I was beside myself with joy to have him home again, I had missed him so much!
'Hey mum, I have missed you too,' he said into my ear, as I practically crushed him in my arms.
That's when I saw Nigel on the doorstep, it had to be Nigel, couldn't have been anyone else could it? 'Mum, dad,' Geoff said as he hugged his dad, and shook his hand tightly. 'This is Nigel, Nigel please meet my parents.' He stepped forward and bowed slightly to me, and shook hands with me and Walt.
My mouth was agape, I looked at Walt too, and I could tell he was as surprised as I was, Nigel was a black boy!
'Is there something wrong mum?' Geoff asked. 'No no no,' I stammered, it's just that that? And I didn't know what to say then. Walt recovered the situation, by saying to him. 'Please come in Nigel, you are very welcome here, isn't he Jen?'
'Yes, absolutely' I managed to say, I'm not a racist in any way, but I hadn't expected this, I hadn't even thought of anything, but Geoff bringing a college friend home to stay with us.
With the shock over, we all went into the kitchen where I busied myself making drinks etc, Geoff was right; he was a really nice boy, extremely polite, and deferential in his manner.