(All characters are at least 18 years of age.)
(This is a work of fiction; any similarities to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.)
Upon arriving back at the house, Frank stalked into the kitchen, fished around in some drawers, or at least so it sounded to John, and returned with a large yellow notepad. She handed it over, a hand-written list of tasks. These tasks, in principle, would compensate Debbie for the free room and board that she was providing to John.
Debbie, according to Frank, had termed it a "honeydew" list. Frank's facial expression indicated vast amusement, for some cryptic reason beyond John's comprehension. He had only ever heard the word "honeydew" used to denote the variety of melon. In any case, the list was long, extending over two full letter-sized pages. Some of the tasks were daily ones like cooking meals (two per day, at least five times per week). Others were big, one-time jobs like fixing cracks in the cement walkway leading up to the house, redoing the landscaping in both front and back yards, fixing the garage door, fixing broken or outdated electrical outlets, replacing the flaky dishwasher, insulating the garage, and so forth.
"Now I'm starting to see why Debbie's letting me stay here for free," John said wryly.
In response, Frank hastily clarified: "Oh yeah! I almost forgot! Mom texted me from Toronto the other day. She said she forgot to write down that she doesn't expect you to do all of that stuff right away. You can even spread it out over the next three years."
John was too stunned to say anything at first. He had assumed he would be able to crash with them for twelve months at most, possibly fewer. Even with his agreement to do work around the house, that had seemed like it would be an imposition. Now Debbie was implying that she would put him up for the rest of his college career, without him even having to ask! John felt an overwhelming sense of relief. The last few months had been more stressful than he had realized, with the uncertainty about where he would be able to continue his studies and how he would get by financially. He started to cry. It was the first time in years.
Frank said nothing and gave John a tight bear hug. She rubbed his back and shoulders firmly. He could feel her breasts pushing against his pectorals but, for once, this did not provoke an erection.
"Sorry I'm such a mess." John's voice was muffled by her shoulder. "I guess it's just been super stressful lately. Especially the last couple of months. And I can't believe how generous you and Debbie are being. I feel like such a leech."
"Dude, it's all good. I keep trying to tell you we're happy to have you here. You really have no idea how much mom misses you. I'm not sure even she realizes. And there's nothing wrong with crying. I cry all the time!"
"Frank, the last time I saw you cry you were eight," John said.
"Okay," Frank said sheepishly, "But that was a really big cry! And you weren't around when Phoebe split."
Then Frank remembered something and shouted, "Oh yeah!"
She stalked off down a hallway, which lead to a part of the house John yet to visit. She returned holding an unopened, official-looking envelope and gave it to John. Inside he found a credit card. The rectangular plastic featured the Milwaukee Brewers' logo in the upper left corner. "Of course," thought John. It also had his full name embossed on it: Johannes Ulrich Lehmann, Jr.
"Wow, Debbie really went formal on my name there."
"Of course she did!" Frank said. "It's for you to buy groceries and supplies for fixing up the house. Oh, and you can use the car. And can you keep the tank full? We hate getting gas! Such a cliche, I know."
John did not cry in response to this latest evidence of Debbie's beneficence, but only just barely.
"OK, time for dinner dontcha think?" he said. He had already planned out an elaborate meal for his cousin.
As it turned out, however, John did not prepare dinner, after all. Frank convinced him to take a break and try out his new credit card. She suggested that they order delivery from her favorite Chicago-style pizzeria.
"I don't care whatcha get on it," Frank said saucily, "as long as there's mushrooms!"
She also convinced him to binge watch the Die Hard movie series with her. They had both seen all four movies before. John powered on the large TV in the living room and, after navigating around with the remote, queued up the first film of the quartet. He turned around to scope out the couch and find a place to sit. It was an unusually large sectional with an extra-wide chaise lounge attached on the right-hand side, as John was facing it. He decided to park himself in the corner of the chaise lounge, both because it looked comfortable and because he hoped Frank would join him there. At forty-three inches wide, there was more than enough room for the both of them.
Frank did not disappoint. Without asking permission, she cozied up right next to John, leaving zero personal space. The warmth from her body felt nice; the central air conditioning was on and must have been set to replicate arctic conditions. John hit the play button on the remote and soon the two were immersed in the opening scene of the movie. He recited a few of Bruce Willis' lines from memory, just before the famous action hero expressed nervousness about flying.