A GOOD DAY - PART 1
CHAPTER 1
Josh called his dad and I one evening. He wanted to ask us something. We put him on speakerphone so we both could talk. He was a junior at Cal Tech. He said, "As you know summer break is coming up. I know this is huge, but it's really important. My roommate Justin has nowhere to go and I was wondering if he could come stay with us while we're out of school. Anyway, I didn't tell him I was going to ask. I didn't want to get his hopes up and then you guys say no. Which I understand if you do. But Justin's a really nice guy and he and I have gotten pretty close here at school. If you guys want to talk it over and let me know that would be awesome."
I won't go into detail of why he had nowhere to go but Josh explained it to us and we agreed to let him stay with us for the 6 weeks they would be out of school.
We chatted a little more then ended the call.
CHAPTER 2
My name is Roberta Hogsett. People call me Billie. My husband is Harvey. Some of his friends call him Hog and I hate it. I am 40 and Harvey is 41. Our son Josh is 20 and a junior at Cal Tech. We live in Georgia. I work 8 to 4 at the county treasurer's office. Harvey fairly recently got transferred at work and it is a long way from where we live. So he leaves at 6:00 AM and doesn't get home until 6:00 PM.
Josh and his friend Justin arrived the first Saturday in June. They flew in and we picked them up at the airport. After introductions were made we had lunch at the Sizzler then went home. Justin was indeed a very nice young man. He was courteous, mannerly, kind, helpful, and respectful. He called us sir and ma'am, which we quickly put a stop to. We agreed on Mr. and Mrs. H. I told him I didn't like the name Hogsett. "I'm not sure what you call a group of hogs but I know it's not a set. Harvey's friends call him Hog and I hate it. And the kids used to call Josh Piglet."
Josh helped get Justin settled in the guest bedroom and we all caught up with what was going on in our lives over the rest of the weekend.
CHAPTER 3
Monday morning Harvey and I had to go back to work. We get up at 5 AM. He has to leave at 6 and I get up to make him breakfast. I don't leave until 7:30. I was sitting at the kitchen table having a cup of coffee when Justin came down right after Harvey left. "Good morning, Mrs. H." I offered him a cup of coffee and he accepted but turned down my offer to make him breakfast.
I was still in my robe and pajamas. I apologized for the way I looked and he said, "I think you look fine. Quite beautiful in fact."
"Yeah. Right." My hair was a mess. I brush it very quickly just to get the tangles out when I get up. No make-up applied yet. And my pajamas were flannel pants and shirt. My robe was also flannel and quite worn. No way I looked good, much less beautiful. "But thanks anyway. You're sweet."
He did accept a bowl of cereal. We talked while he ate. He thanked me again for letting him stay here. He explained that his parents had been killed in an accident caused by a drunk driver. He was putting himself through school with the insurance money. The only other family was an uncle, his dad's brother Charlie, who is an alcoholic, and they didn't really get along all that well. And he didn't really want to spend 6 weeks with them. He said, "I've seen enough of what alcohol and drugs can do so I vowed to never use them."
"Good for you. And I'm really sorry about your parents." We talked about his studies and his plans for the future. I was quite impressed with this young man's decisions and determination. I went and got ready for work and Justin said, "You look really pretty Mrs. H." I dress nicely for work. Usually a skirt and blouse. Or maybe slacks. Nothing fancy but I meet the public so I try to look presentable. Josh came down just before I left and we talked for a few minutes then I left.
CHAPTER 4
I got home from work about 4:15. Josh had gone out to see some of his old friends. Justin was there alone, watching TV. He said Josh invited him along but he told him this should be his time with his friends. To catch up and reminisce. Maybe he would go and meet them another time. I showered and changed out of my work clothes. I put on a pair of jeans and a tank top. No shoes.
I came out of my bedroom and said, "There. Much better. Much more comfortable."
"You do look more comfortable. And still quite ravishing, I might add."
"Why, thank you. But you're full of baloney. I'm going to relax for a few minutes then get supper started. I'll be in the kitchen. Just holler if you need anything."
"May I join you? I'll be happy to help with supper. Whatever you need."
"Thanks. But you don't have to."
"No. I want to. It's the least I can do. And I actually enjoy cooking. I'm trying to learn anyway."
"Well, in that case, sure. If you want to. But I'm going to rest a little bit first. It's a little while before Harvey gets home."
"May I sit with you and chat? Or do you want to have some alone time?"
"No. Please. Join me." We sat in the living room and had a glass of iced tea and talked. He told me what a great son we had. He said Josh was the best friend he ever had. That he helped him at school and he also helped him dealing with the loss of his parents. "Thanks. That's kind of you to say. We are proud of Josh. He's a good kid."
I got up to go get supper started and Justin asked what he could do to help. I told him I was making spaghetti and salads tonight. Nothing fancy. Just store bought sauce. He made salads while I put water on to boil the spaghetti. While I put the sauce in a pan to heat up and got some meatballs out to add to it he put some bread in the oven to heat up for garlic bread. We both worked at setting the table and getting glasses ready for drinks. And of course we continued talking about this, that, and the other the whole time.
Harvey came in right at 6:00 PM as usual. Josh was right behind. We all sat down and had our meal and talked about our day. Josh said it was great seeing his old buddies. He told Justin that they all said he should have come along. He said, "Thanks. Maybe next time I will, but I just felt like I would have been intruding on you guys reunion."
"No, not at all. They all said they want to meet you."
Harvey said his new position at work is good. He thought he was going to like it. The worst part was the long drive. "Maybe we should look at moving a little closer."
I said, "It's certainly something we can discuss. I'm sure I could find work at another office or something wherever we go."
Harvey retired to the den with a whiskey after supper. Josh went to his room. I started clearing the table and Justin helped. I told him he didn't have to and he said, "I don't expect you to serve me. I'm going to do my share. No argument." He washed dishes and I put the leftover sauce and meatballs in bowls and put them in the fridge. Then I wiped the table and started drying the dishes. When we were done washing and drying he handed them to me and I put them in the cabinet. Then we sat down to have another glass of tea. Then he went to see if Josh wanted to play a video game.
I sat there thinking what a nice young man he was. So thoughtful and helpful. He will be a good influence on Josh. I went to join Harvey. He was asleep in his chair. So I went to watch TV until bedtime.
CHAPTER 5
Things continued this way over the next week. Sometimes Justin and Josh went out together, sometimes Justin stayed home. But even when he went out he made sure to be there in time to help with meals and cleanup after. And he did his own laundry. And offered to do ours along with his. I never let him, except for a time or two that I needed something in particular for the next day maybe. I was liking this kid more and more. We had gotten to know each other pretty well and were forming some kind of a bond.